Editor,

Toby Nixon’s “Sound Off” in the Feb. 27 issue was spot on.

House Bill 2576, concerning public records requests, would decrease transparency of government even further. Allowing government agencies to pick and choose what requests to address and how quickly would allow agencies to delay and avoid requests that might show that agency in a bad light for some past government action.

For example, I have requested of the Island County Assessor’s Office details of my property valuation — the math, data and methodology for my valuation.

The assessor responded simply that my valuation complied with Washington law.

I know that is not the case. Valuations are predominantly judgment-based, without proper Washington statute-compliant data and methodology.

Passing of House Bill 2576 would make public request fulfillment even worse. The Island County Assessor could simply prioritize other easier requests, or limit time spent with all requests following yearly Notice of Valuation changes when there is a heightened degree of public interest and public record requests.

We need more transparency in government, not less.

Tim Verschuyl

Oak Harbor

Editor’s note: House Bill 2576 is, thankfully, dead, in large part thanks to the opposition voiced by the state’s newspapers and citizens concerned about government transparency.