State integrity news for Washington, from the Enumclaw Courier-Herald:

The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission today added lobbying data to its online searchable database. Paid lobbyists register with the Public Disclosure Commission before lobbying state government and file monthly reports disclosing their compensation, entertainment expenses, campaign contributions given, and other lobbying-related expenditures.

The new feature gives the better access to private sector and public agency lobbying data, including the ability to perform custom searches.

Read the rest of the story at the Enumclaw Courier-Herald.

State integrity news for Washington, from SII partner KUOW:

A recent public radio investigation ranked Washington state second in the nation for government transparency. According to the State Integrity Investigation, only Connecticut did a better job of providing public access to public information.

As one quadriplegic man from Seattle learned, that doesn't mean it's easy to pry information out of Washington state agencies. But Thursday, it got a little easier. KUOW's John Ryan reports.

Read and hear more at KUOW - Seattle.

State integrity news for Washington, from the Seattle Post-Intelligencier:

The State Patrol must hand over accident records requested by a cyclist severely injured on Seattle’s Montlake Bridge, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. Cyclist Michael Gendler suffered catastrophic spinal injuries when his front wheel was caught in the draw bridge grating. The crash left Gendler quadriplegic, unable to work full time or live independently.

In a 7-2 decision, the state’s highest court found the State Patrol is required to turn over the documents and is not entitled to demand Gendler not use them in a civil lawsuit.

Read the rest of the story at the Seattle Post-Intelligencier.

State Integrity News from Washington from SII partner KUOW:

A new survey on the potential for corruption in state government shows Washington has the third best score in the country with a B. But that doesn't mean there are no potential problems. Amy Radil reports and study author Vicki Kilgore brings us the story behind the score.

Hear the discussion from KUOW - Seattle.

State integrity news from Washington from SII partner KUOW:

Overall, Washington ranks as the third most transparent and accountable state in the nation. That’s according to a new State Integrity Investigation. It was conducted by the Center for Public Integrity and Public Radio International. But the report did find in the area of campaign finance the information can be pretty difficult to find even if it’s disclosed.

Read and hear more from KUOW - Seattle.

State Integrity news for Washington from SII partner KUOW:

Washington's Public Records Act and other transparency measures have earned the state a high score in a nationwide study. The State Integrity Investigation looked at every state's disclosure practices. It ranked Washington third in the country, with a letter grade of B–. But budget cuts are curtailing investigations by government watchdogs. And all three branches of government have tried to put more of their records outside the law's scrutiny. KUOW's Amy Radil reports.

Hear the story from KUOW - Seattle.

State Integrity news for Washington from SII partner KUOW:

See if you can guess where this bit of political rhetoric comes from (here's a hint: think Washington state):

"Trust and confidence in governmental institutions is at an all–time low. High on the list of causes of this citizen distrust are secrecy in government and the influence of private money on governmental decision making."

It sounds like it could have been written by Occupy Seattle protesters. Or maybe by the tea party. But the statement actually accompanied a ballot measure that Washington voters passed back in 1972.

Read more from KUOW - Seattle.

State Integrity news for Washington from SII partner KUOW:

Washington's Public Records Act and other transparency measures have earned the state a high score in a nationwide study. The State Integrity Investigation looked at every state's disclosure practices. It ranked Washington third in the country, with a letter grade of B–. But budget cuts are curtailing investigations by government watchdogs. And all three branches of government have tried to put more of their records outside the law's scrutiny. KUOW's Amy Radil reports.

Hear the story from KUOW - Seattle.

Corruption news for Washington, from the Bellingham Herald:

The Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises helps minority and female business owners compete for government contracts. But there was no genuine competition when the state agency needed someone to examine its operations. It paid $65,000 to a retired state administrator, John M. King, with the blessing of Gov. Chris Gregoire’s office.

Investigators from State Auditor Brian Sonntag’s office looking into a complaint concluded the agency signed the no-bid contract with King Associates without giving serious consideration to potential competitors who might have been able to do the work cheaper.

Read the rest of the story at the Bellingham Herald.

Corruption news for Washington, from the Kistap Sun:

In 1972, Washington voters overwhelmingly passed Initiative 276, which resulted in creation of the state's Public Disclosure Act, a sweeping "sunshine" law that codified the public's right to know about its government.

Again this year, the Legislature is trying to "amend" that right by placing limitations on it. They do it almost every session. Why? Because somehow, they decide that accommodating the public's right to know is too inconvenient, or too costly, or just too ... bothersome.

Read the rest of the story at the Kitsap Sun.