The recent decision by the State Supreme Court to grant executive privilege to the governor is a travesty and an insult to the people of Washington. The long history of the public demand for public disclosure has been ignored, based on some wishy washy wording that tries to justify the decision by qualifications that, in effect, give the governor carte blanche that can only be challenged by legal action. This defies common sense and the historical will of the voters.
Stating that the governor’s office has an “inherent privilege as a result of the constitutional separation of powers” is ludicrous in that their decision is basically legislating the power, which is in itself a violation of the separation of powers between the legislature and the judiciary. Justice Johnson is totally correct is his dissent. The magnitude of this decision should motivate the Legislature to reverse this decision by law, voters should be outraged, and the decision pursued in higher courts.
Doug Staab
Everett
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