Type Advisory Opinion 
Date 2/28/2001 
Number 00-04 
Topic Press releases - Use of Public Resources 
Respondent  
Issue/Question
The Board rephrased a request for an advisory opinion and provided a list of issues for discussion.  Generally, the Board discussed the relationship between legislative policies and the Ethics Act, press releases, and whether different standards under the Act were available to party leadership.
Summary
Press releases are judged by (1) their timeliness; (2) proximity to an election; (3) relevance to a legislative issue; (4) source of the initial statement, if a responsive press release; and (5) tone and tenor of the proposed release.  RCW 42.52.180.  Board concluded that the Act does not suggest that legislative leaders have more authority under the Act than other legislators.
Document View this publication in Acrobat (PDF) Format