Government has a duty to turn over records

By Brian Sonntag | • Published March 16, 2008

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• Training is key. In fact, many of the public records officers we interviewed stated training is a critical factor in successful responses to records requests. For example, we found that the understanding of what is required by the Public Records Act varies when it comes to exemptions from disclosure.

• Having a good system in place to track the progress of responses, and a willingness to communicate with the requestor for clarification on requests and the timing of responses demonstrates a commitment, again, to that culture of compliance. Making it easy to file requests, especially thorough electronic means, also assists requestors.

In 1976, voters approved Initiative 276. When they said “yes” to this measure, they conveyed this message:

“The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies that serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may maintain control over the instruments that they have created.”

Access to public records is a fundamental facet of transparency and a fundamental right of every citizen. Conversely, providing access to public records is a fundamental duty of all government entities, from the smallest special-purpose district to the largest state agency to private-public partnerships, such as public development authorities.

Brian Sonntag, a Democrat from Tacoma, is serving his third term as state auditor.