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Press Release October 18, 2004 EFF urges AG to take action against WSLC OLYMPIA, WA—Evergreen Freedom Foundation (EFF) today filed a 10-day notice with the Office of the Attorney General regarding its citizen’s action complaint against the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. EFF filed the initial complaint on September 1, alleging multiple campaign finance violations by the Washington State Labor Council (WSLC). The WSLC, a $4 million organization and the state affiliate of the AFL-CIO, is orchestrating a massive political effort this election cycle. Among the violations listed in EFF’s complaint, the WSLC failed to disclose thousands of dollars in political expenditures, exceeded campaign contribution limits, used public funds for political expenditures and failed to register and report as a political committee. The Attorney General’s Office directed the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) to investigate the WSLC’s political activity, and EFF staff met with the PDC on September 14 to discuss the complaint. By law, Attorney General Christine Gregoire has 55 days to take action upon receipt of a citizen’s action complaint. The 10-day notice gives formal notice that unless the attorney general or county prosecutor take action in ten days, EFF will have the right to bring an action against the WSLC in the name of the state. “Transparency in politics is always important, but especially during this election cycle,” said Bob Williams, president of EFF. “The Attorney General acted quickly and authoritatively against the Voter Education Committee for failing to register as a political action committee when it ran advertisements against Democrat Deborah Senn. The Attorney General should exhibit the same vigor in prosecuting the WSLC.” Additional information:
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1 Part Honesty; 2 Parts Arrogance At a March 23, 2005, House Appropriations hearing on a bill to gut the voter-approved I-601 spending limit, Rep. Jim McIntire (D) asked a supporter of I-601’s two-third supermajority requirement for the legislature to raise taxes the following question: "Can you name a time when we [legislators] have actually not just set it [supermajority requirement] aside by majority vote? I mean, this is in many respects a procedural motion that has no bearing. It’s a statutory constraint that cannot constrain any legislature that chooses as a majority to set it aside . . . have we ever used a supermajority [to raise taxes]?" - Rep. Jim McIntire (D - 46) Despite the arrogance of some state officials, Washington's constitution is clear: "All political power is inherent in the people..." |
