(360) 786-7662|Maralyn.Chase@leg.wa.gov

Monthly Archives: June 2013

Sen. Chase named to “Sunshine Committee”

June 20th, 2013|

Sen. Maralyn Chase, D-Shoreline, has been appointed to the Public Records Exemptions Accountability Committee, also known as the Sunshine Committee, which exists to make government more open to the public.

Chase, who also sits on the Senate’s Trade & Economic Development as well as the Energy, Environment & Telecommunications Committees, said she is excited to begin her new role on the Sunshine Committee.

“The Legislature is conducting the public’s business and I believe that business should be as transparent as possible,” she said. “When exemptions to disclosure are codified in public law, our democracy is diminished. The Sunshine Committee is an instrument of transparency and accountability. It’s a prime example of what makes a democracy great.”

The Attorney General’s Office provides staffing and support for the Committee. Attorney General Bob Ferguson said Chase will be a welcome addition.

"Sen. Chase has been a long-time advocate for open government," said Attorney General Bob Ferguson. "I’m proud to welcome her to the Sunshine Committee where her insight and expertise will be extremely valuable."

The Sunshine Committee is comprised of 13 legislators, attorneys and open government advocates. It was established in 2007 to ensure that state public records are accessible for citizen examination.  When the PDC was set up in 1972 there were 10 exemptions from full public disclosure.  Today there are over 300 exemptions to the Public Disclosure Act.

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    Sen. Chase: “We must act now” in support of GMO labeling

Sen. Chase: “We must act now” in support of GMO labeling

June 3rd, 2013|

Sen. Maralyn Chase, D-Shoreline, issued the following statement regarding the recent discovery of genetically modified wheat in Oregon:

“For everyone who doubted the need for labeling genetically modified foods, a small farm in Oregon is serving as a wakeup call.

“Already, because of this small amount of genetically modified wheat, Japan – the top importer of U.S. wheat – has suspended some imports. South Korea is considering a similar move and European Union countries are also now urging its member countries to test U.S. wheat.

“I am urging the House and Senate in our state to again take up Senate Bill 5073, which will create a labeling system to distinguish genetically modified food from non-GMO foods.

“Ultimately, this decision will be up to the voters, but the legislature must act to demonstrate to our trading partners throughout the world that we are indeed serious about protecting the integrity of wheat grown in Washington.

“We must also act to show that we stand in solidarity with Washington farmers who each year contribute literally billions of dollars to our state’s economy.

“We are a trade dependent state. We are the third largest exporter of food and agricultural products in the entire nation. We cannot let our status as a world power of agricultural exports be compromised when something as simple as a good faith vote on labeling would allow us to maintain our standing.

“We must act now.”