...is eternal vigilance. (Thomas Jefferson)
While we are focusing upong Wisconsin, let us not forget to mind our own store.
Behold SB 5405. Link here.
It is a bill that affects Washington state ferry workers. And it also includes language that seems to place limits on collective bargaining.
Page 2. lines 16-17
This bill seems relatively benign, compared to the legislative neurotoxin poisoning the atmosphere in Madison, Wisconsin. Nonetheless, I am now viewing any legislation that curtails any workers' rights with a jaundiced eye. I encourage all citizens to do the same.
Behold SB 5677 Link here.
This bill is considerably less benign as I see it.
This bill, if passed into law, would allow some councils in the State to be immune from lawsuits for violations of the Public Records Act.
The bill starts out, like all roads to Hell, with a solid foundation of good intent... (Page 1, lines 7-16)
Okay, that seems reasonably innocuous...
Then we get to how the bill aims to prevent "misuse" of the Public Records Act. (Page 3, lines 8-9)
Huh...?
So, what are they then?
That is not made clear. However, since they would be considered to be something other than state or local agencies under this proposed law... (Page 4, lines 1-2)
Bravo to the entire Sierra.
So to prevent "misuse" of the Public Records Act towards unincorporated councils and their volunteers, the State will prevent... use of the Public Records Act toward unincorporated councils and their volunteers?
I don't think so.
It is hard enough to get the government to respond to a Public Records Request with the possible threat of a lawsuit. Without the threat of a lawsuit, the government will likely become even less responsive than it is now.
Contact your State Senator and your State Representative and sound off on this nonsense.
While we are focusing upong Wisconsin, let us not forget to mind our own store.
Behold SB 5405. Link here.
It is a bill that affects Washington state ferry workers. And it also includes language that seems to place limits on collective bargaining.
Page 2. lines 16-17
...
Any retirement system or retirement benefits shall not be subject to collective bargaining.
This bill seems relatively benign, compared to the legislative neurotoxin poisoning the atmosphere in Madison, Wisconsin. Nonetheless, I am now viewing any legislation that curtails any workers' rights with a jaundiced eye. I encourage all citizens to do the same.
Behold SB 5677 Link here.
This bill is considerably less benign as I see it.
This bill, if passed into law, would allow some councils in the State to be immune from lawsuits for violations of the Public Records Act.
The bill starts out, like all roads to Hell, with a solid foundation of good intent... (Page 1, lines 7-16)
...
The legislature finds that citizen participation is an essential element of representative government, and that encouraging volunteer efforts to engage citizens' voices in local decision making processes enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of government's role. The legislature further finds that citizen volunteers should be valued as partners in conducting business of government. The legislature, therefore, intends to clarify that the public records act was not intended to be a tool to be misused to discourage volunteerism through lawsuits, threats of lawsuits, or any form of harassment.
Okay, that seems reasonably innocuous...
Then we get to how the bill aims to prevent "misuse" of the Public Records Act. (Page 3, lines 8-9)
Unincorporated area councils and their volunteer members are neither state nor local agencies.
Huh...?
So, what are they then?
That is not made clear. However, since they would be considered to be something other than state or local agencies under this proposed law... (Page 4, lines 1-2)
...
Unincorporated area councils and their volunteer members are immune from lawsuits under this chapter.
Bravo to the entire Sierra.
So to prevent "misuse" of the Public Records Act towards unincorporated councils and their volunteers, the State will prevent... use of the Public Records Act toward unincorporated councils and their volunteers?
I don't think so.
It is hard enough to get the government to respond to a Public Records Request with the possible threat of a lawsuit. Without the threat of a lawsuit, the government will likely become even less responsive than it is now.
Contact your State Senator and your State Representative and sound off on this nonsense.
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