Complaint Opinion 19-02
Date
06/14/2019
Number
2019 – No. 2
Topic
Use of public resources to assist a campaign
Respondent
Claire Wilson
Question/Complaint
Is it a violation of RCW 42.52.180 to reserve a room on the capital campus to be used for training conducted by a political organization whose mission is to increase the number of women running for public office? Is it also a violation for a member to give a floor speech recognizing this organization and its current enrollees?
Summary
While the use of a room on the capital campus could be considered a violation of RCW 42.52.180, because the room reservation was cancelled before the room could be used, the Board found no reasonable cause to believe the statute had been violated. The floor speech is covered by Article II, section 17 of the Washington Constitution and the Board lacks subject matter jurisdiction over this claim.