To the Editor:
Senator Chase recently published an op-ed in the Shoreline Area News (see article) stating her position on openness and transparency in state government. It’s important to be clear that her vote in favor of Senate Bill 6617 was a vote for government secrecy.
In endorsing Jesse Salomon for the state Senate for the upcoming election, The Seattle Times based their decision in part on Senator Chase “Defending a rotten bill last session that undermined the state Public Records Act, drew statewide condemnation and was vetoed [by Governor Inslee.]” They further wrote: “Chase questioned whether newspapers defending the act in court are “reporting the news or creating it.” (see Seattle Times article)
As a former Shoreline Mayor and Councilmember, I can say that we have a system, like all local governments do, to keep our records and to fully comply with the Public Records Act. There is no legitimate reason why the Legislature can’t do what all local governments across the state already do. Even Attorney General Bob Ferguson has taken the position that: “state lawmakers are subject to the same rules of disclosure that cover other elected officials...” (see Seattle Times article)
Senator Chase is supposed to work for the people but instead she has fought against openness. In the Everett Daily Herald’s endorsement of Salomon, the editorial board stated that: “she demonstrates a lack of concern regarding the need for lawmaker transparency.” They quoted her as saying “I’m puzzled by all the focus on sunshine. What are you looking for?” (see Herald article)
I have worked with Jesse for years on the Shoreline City Council. He is dedicated to openness and transparency and I urge you to support him.
Shari Winstead
Shoreline
The Seattle Times also endorsed George Bush and Dino Rossi. Ms. Winstead failed to get the endorsement of Shoreline voters and failed to get re-elected. Similar to Bush and Rossi, Jesse Salomon talks a great game about helping the working class but his commitment to studying the issues has been severely lacking in his representation on the Shoreline City Counsel. This has generally hurt working people and destabilized an entire section of Shoreline, making it unaffordable for many long time residents. Unfortunately, he will likely get elected due to his ability to raise large amounts of money from Seattle elites.
ReplyDeleteSenator Chase has a very long record of listening to and representing hard working families.
Oops, Whelan. Shari Winstead actually retired from public service opting to not run again. She won handily every time before.
ReplyDeleteAs for Marilyn Chase, sure she listens but I can't think of a single bill that she has sponsored that has ever passed that would help the working people. She just keeps getting re-elected due in a major part to the machine of the 32 District Democrats that both she and her daughter run.
Time to get someone in that might actually do something.