Type Complaint Opinion 
Date 6/6/2002 
Number 01-05 
Topic Use of public facilities in a campaign mailing 
Respondent Rep. Joe Marine 
Question/Complaint
Among other charges, the complaint alleged that respondent used materials prepared at state expense in a campaign mailing and that later he used the legislature's toll free hotline number in campaign mailings, both in violation of RCW 42.52.180.
Summary
The response cards were initially used for legislative door belling during the legislative session.  Surplus cards were then used by the compaign committee.  Campaign later paid for new response cards, not printed at public expense, which also included legislature's toll free number.  Campaign use of cards printed at public expense was a violation of RCW 42.52.180.  Reimbursement ordered and a fine levied.  Campaign use of toll free number for the legislature is prohibited but as a matter of first impression the prohibition on this use will be applied prospectively only.
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