Did Respondent violate RCW 42.52.070 or RCW 42.52.160 by criticizing, restricting or eliminating a WSU professor’s work and threatening the professor’s job?

No. Legislators commonly express their support for or opposition to various state programs through the appropriations process. Legislators may apply their professional and personal knowledge and opinions in their exercise of legislative duties. The Respondent’s actions regarding WSU budget requests are part of his core duties as a legislator. No improper means were used to influence the behavior of WSU or the WSU professor involved.