Complaint Opinion 10-02
Date
06/29/2010
Number
10-02
Topic
Use of campaign website to advertise leg. event
Respondent
Senator Randy Gordon
Question/Complaint
Complaint alleged violation of RCW 42.52.180 when Respondent included notice of his legislative town hall meetings on his campaign website.
Summary
.180 prohibits use of the facilities of an agency (public resources) to assist a campaign, with exceptions. Complaint does not allege that the town hall meetings were untimely or conducted in such a manner as to constitute a violation of the Ethics Act. "Facililities of an agency" cannot reasonably be interpreted to include the mere notice of a legislative event. Campaign resources may be utilized to convey notice of legislative meetings whereas legislative resources may not be used to advertise campaign meetings. Complaint dismissed for lack of reasonable cause.