Financial data for elected officials might go online

OLYMPIA — The Washington Public Disclosure Commission is considering a move that would add transparency to the state’s election system.

Citizen members of the commission are in favor of posting online the financial information from elected officials and candidates, The Olympian reported. The information is already considered public but is released only when someone files a public-records request.

The vice chairman of the commission, Grant Degginger, said it’s time to post the reports filed by about 5,600 elected officials and state employees each year.

“I think probably the time has come to get them online. They are available to the public if they ask. It’s the only thing you can’t look up (online). It seems kind of odd,” said Degginger, a lawyer and vice chairman of the commission who is a former mayor of Bellevue. “If you are filling it out, you must assume the world can read it sooner or later.”

The reports disclose general information about income, real estate ownership and investments as well as details of other financial or business relationships. The reports also disclose government contracts that might benefit them.

Before the commission’s four members vote to put the reports online, they want some more information. It’s possible they will withhold some details online, such as the home address of a candidate.

In a meeting Thursday in Olympia, commission Chairman Amit Ranade, of Seattle, and commissioner Katrina Asay, of Milton, worried that making some information readily available might dissuade people from public service. Asay also suggested that a different kind of form might be more appropriate for nonpartisan legislative staffers than for elected officials and candidates.

A recent online Public Disclosure Commission survey — which drew 520 responses, nearly three-quarters of them from people who already file the forms — found that only 31 percent wanted the full financial form online, while 44 percent said no part of the forms should be posted. The unscientific sampling found roughly 25 percent favored putting only some parts of the form online.

Of concern to Ranade was the 35 percent of respondents who claimed that online access to the forms would cause them to leave office or not run for re-election. He asked commission staffers to drill down and find out specifically “what’s giving them heartburn.”

The commission is also evaluating whether details of the forms should be changed to make them more meaningful. For example, the top dollar category — “$100,000 or more” — doesn’t offer much insight in an era when nearly every home costs at least that much and someone doesn’t have to be wealthy to have socked away $100,000 for retirement.

The PDC may take up some of these issues during commissioners’ yearly retreat over the summer. It was at last year’s retreat that the impetus to look at publishing financial documents online started.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.