Senate resolution takes shot at Inslee

OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee’s veto of the legislative public records act last week is still rankling some senators.

A resolution says the governor is a man of “exceptional personal integrity and who is a man of trust and a profile in courage.” That sounds nice, except it calls for April 1st – also known as April Fool’s Day – to be declared Gov. Jay Inslee Integrity Day.”

Last week Inslee vetoed a bill that set up a special public records process for the Legislature. Although the bill passed in record time outside of normal procedures with veto-proof majorities in both chambers, more than 100 lawmakers asked him a few days later to veto it after hearing from constituents.

The three paragraph resolution, sponsored by Sen. Mike Baumgartner, R-Spokane, drew laughs when it was read in its entirety Monday before being referred to the State Government Committee. That panel has no meetings scheduled before the Legislature is scheduled to end Thursday.

Asked later Monday about the resolution, Inslee said the Legislature had done “great work” but has more to do.

“We are fully respectful of a vibrant sense of humor and the First Amendment,” he said.