Washington Coalition for Open Government Questionnaire

As the 2008 campaign season heads into its crucial last months, Washington voters have a new, easy-to-use tool to help them choose candidates that are committed to open, responsive and accountable government.

Earlier this year, the Washington Coalition for Open Government (WCOG) submitted an open government questionnaire to candidates around the state and asked for their position on 10 key government reform issues identified by WCOG. Candidates were asked to take a “yes” or “no” stance on topics including proposals to require taping of executive session of public agencies and stiffen penalties for Open Public Meeting Act violations and destruction of public records.

A summary of the responses submitted by all candidates, plus the individual surveys filled by each one, have been posted on the WCOG Web site at www.washingtoncog.org.

“The Washington Coalition for Open Government is happy to be able to provide this service to our members and to the people of Washington so they will know more about where the candidates stand on government openness, transparency, and accountability,” said Toby Nixon, president of the Coalition. “I hope they will make note of which candidates failed to respond to our survey, and ask those candidates pointed questions about where they really stand on the people’s right to know what their government is doing.”

The Washington Coalition for Open Government is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and defending the people's right to know in matters of public interest and in the conduct of the public's business. Members of the coalition represent a broad range of interests, including the news media, public affairs, law, current and retired public officials, business and labor.

For more information, contact WCOG President Toby Nixon at 206.782.0393 or visit the WCOG Web site at www.washingtoncog.org.


Results can be viewed here: http://washingtoncog.org/CandidateQuestionnaire.html