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Tag: Attorney General Rob McKenna

After 45 years in public life, Sam Reed bids farewell

After 45 years in public life, Sam Reed bids farewell

(Photo courtesy of  Legislative Support Services Photography) Secretary of State Sam Reed bade a fond farewell to the people of Washington Tuesday after 45 years in public life, including 35 years as a state and county elected official. Addressing a joint session of the Legislature, Reed brought along a special reminder of his family’s long connection to Washington politics and government — his grandfather Sam Sumner’s battered leather briefcase.  Exactly 100 years earlier, Sumner, a state GOP chairman and longtime…

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Giving wisely…..

Giving wisely…..

Secretary of State Sam Reed and Attorney General Rob McKenna are teaming up to urge Washingtonians to make wise choices with their holiday gifts to charity and avoid greedy fundraising groups. Reed and McKenna joined forces at the Senior Services Lillian Rice Center in downtown Seattle, releasing the 2012 Commercial Fundraiser Activity Report and announcing that the report will be updated weekly “in real time” to keep donors well-informed. The two statewide officials also shared tips for everyone – young…

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Doe v. Reed: Appeals Court upholds R-71 petition releases

Doe v. Reed: Appeals Court upholds R-71 petition releases

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected a challenge to Washington’s policy of releasing initiative and referendum petitions, specifically the Referendum 71 signatures submitted to force a public vote on the “everything but marriage” law three years ago. Secretary of State Sam Reed said he was pleased with the decision and that it honors the state voters’ commitment to the Public Records Act and transparency in government.  Reed said he hopes the challengers will let the decision stand, now…

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`Statewides’ gather for Gregoire’s State of the State

`Statewides’ gather for Gregoire’s State of the State

It’s a rare occasion when most, if not all, of Washington’s statewide elected officials are in the same room. The Governor’s State of the State speech Tuesday morning offered such an opportunity. Moments before they entered the House Chambers to attend Governor Gregoire’s annual address to the Legislature, all of the “Statewides” except the guv and Lt. Gov. Owen (who was presiding over the joint legislative session) gathered in the State Reception Room for a photo. From left to right:…

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Reed, McKenna team up to urge wise giving

Reed, McKenna team up to urge wise giving

Besides giving presents to family and friends during the holiday season, many show their generosity by giving money to charities. Unfortunately, there are some Grinch-like groups that aim to take advantage of donors. So how do you avoid being a victim? Give wisely by doing your homework before you open your wallet or checkbook. That was the message imparted by Secretary Reed and Attorney General Rob McKenna as they teamed up to unveil this year’s Commercial Fundraiser Activity Report at…

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Federal appeals court hears challenge of Top 2 Primary

Federal appeals court hears challenge of Top 2 Primary

Washington’s political parties are back in federal appeals court, continuing their six-year  challenge of the state’s popular voter-approved Top 2 Primary. The Democratic, Republican and Libertarian parties of Washington asked the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday to throw out the system, which allows voters to choose their favorite for each office, without respect to party, with the two favorites advancing to the November General Election ballot.  Neither party is guaranteed a November runoff slot, and the Top 2…

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U.S. high court declines to block R-71 petitions

U.S. high court declines to block R-71 petitions

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected efforts by foes of gay-marriage to block Washington state from releasing Referendum 71 petitions while an appeal is underway in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The court gave no reasoning for denying the motion by Protect Marriage Washington to issue an injunction.  The order indicates that Justice Anthony Kennedy, who is responsible for motions arising from the 9th Circuit, referred the request to the full court, which did not support the motion. The…

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Judge: Ruling on Doe v. Reed R-71 disclosure case in 2 weeks

Judge: Ruling on Doe v. Reed R-71 disclosure case in 2 weeks

U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle says he will rule within two weeks on a request from gay-marriage foes that he permanently seal Referendum 71 petitions from public access.  Settle didn’t indicate how he will rule, but did say at one point from the bench Monday that the record submitted by challengers is “devoid” of direct evidence of harassment that could result if the petitions are released. Katie Blinn, state co-director of elections, said following a hearing in Tacoma that she’s…

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High court rejects challenge of campaign reporting law

High court rejects challenge of campaign reporting law

Secretary of State Sam Reed welcomes the U.S. Supreme Court’s action today that upholds  Washington’s voter-approved campaign disclosure law. Attorney General Rob McKenna’s office defended the Public Disclosure Commission, the agency that administers campaign finance disclosure laws, in a challenge brought by Human Life of Washington, a “pro-life,” anti-abortion group.  The organization challenged the state’s requirement for disclosure of donors of over $25 for or against ballot propositions – in their case, opposing Governor Gardner’s successful initiative on assisted suicide/”death…

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WA voters win court approval of Top 2 Primary

WA voters win court approval of Top 2 Primary

Washington’s voter-approved Top 2 Primary system is constitutional, says U.S. District Judge John Coughenour.  The jurist, in an order that dismissed challenges brought by the political parties, ended a decade of litigation over the primary system. Coughenour (pronounced Coo’-now-er) called it “this long-running saga over the form of political elections in Washington.”  Secretary of State Sam Reed and Attorney General Rob McKenna called it a major victory for the voters of Washington. The court did, however, side with the parties…

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