Help Protect Public Employees' Personal Information

Exempting public employee birthdates from disclosure under the Public Records Act is a significant priority to protect public employees’ privacy and safety. There is a bill in the Senate to add birthdates to the list of exemptions, and we need a big push to pass it. The bill is SB 6079, sponsored by Senator Patty Kuderer. It was voted out of committee in the Senate, and is ready for a vote on the Senate floor. 
In order to get this bill passed, we need letters to the editor
 
The single best thing members can do to protect fellow public employees’ birthdates is to submit letters to the editor, as soon as possible.
 
WHAT TO SAY
Write about your personal experiences with public records requests, or that of your coworkers. Speak about your experience as someone who does public service, and why you shouldn’t have to give up all your rights to privacy.

Here are some more talking points:

• The Public Records Act was written over 40 years ago, long before we faced issues such as identity theft or cyber security. It’s time for an update.
  
• Public service employees already face harassment - especially those in law enforcement, child welfare, or health inspection. Why make it easier for our harassers?
  
• The Court of Appeals of Washington, Division 2, recently ruled that the Public Records Act doesn’t justify the violation of public employees’ right to privacy under Washington’s constitution.  
  

HOW TO SUBMIT A LETTER
Here are the links to some papers around the state:

• Bellevue Reporter: http://www.bellevuereporter.com/submit-letter/
• The Columbian http://www.columbian.com/lettertotheeditor/
• Ellensburg Daily Record: https://www.dailyrecordnews.com/site/forms/submit/letters/letter_to_the_editor/
  
• The Olympian: http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/submit-letter/
• Seattle Times http://old.seattletimes.com/html/editorialsopinion/
• Spokesman-Review: http://www.spokesman.com/letters/submit/
• Tri-City Herald: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/submit-letter/
• Wenatchee World: https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/opinion/submit/
• Yakima Herald: https://www.yakimaherald.com/site/forms/online_services/letter_editor/
  

Please consider writing a letter yourself, and pass this on to any member who might be interested. If anyone has any questions, please contact seamus@wpea.org or 360-561-8066.
 
Again – letters to the editor will be a key piece of getting this legislation passed and keeping public employees’ personal information secure from the Freedom Foundation, harassers, and identity thieves.