Type Complaint Opinion 
Date 3/18/1999 
Number 98-04 
Topic Constituent mailing - partisan content - normal and regular conduct 
Respondent Rep. Tom Huff 
Question/Complaint
Did the respondent's brochure, produced and mailed using state facilities, violate RCW 42.52.180 because it extolled the Republican agenda and criticized the Democrats and the Governor?
Summary
This was a highly partisan publication that in some respects resembled campaign literature.  It is generally acceptable to express positions on legislative issues in partisan terms.  It is not proper to include partisan material unrelated to state legislative issues.  Brochure was related to legislative issues but had it been sent closer to the next election it could be viewed as a campaign document (brochure was sent two years before the next election). Dismissed.
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