Complaint Opinion 17-42
Date
05/14/2018
Number
2017 - No. 42
Topic
Special privileges; Use of persons, money or property for private gain
Respondent
Rep. Joel Kretz
Question/Complaint
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?
Summary
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.