Thread by @Jim_Brunner

THREAD: It's past time to share the most comically lousy Public Records Act response I've seen from a state agency in my 20+ years as a reporter. Yes I am talking about @ESDwaWorks #waleg

On June 24, 2020, I emailed a records request to @ESDwaWorks for "a complete copy of [ESD Commissioner] Suzi LeVine's calendar from Jan. 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020."

This is basic stuff that can be turned around in a day or two. @GovInslee does so regularly, for example. But on June 29 ESD gave me an ETA of "no later than" Oct. 30 - FOUR MONTHS.

Outrageous but yeah @ESDwaWorks has been in a historically bad situation not entirely of its own making.

But Oct. 30 passed with zero records produced and no update from the agency.

So I called and emailed on Nov. 11 (the previous days had been busy because, you know, elections and stuff) and asked what was up.

Records officer Robert Page emailed me to say: "There has been delays in responding. Plan to provide an installment of records by November 25, 2020."

I replied: "This does not meet the standards of the Public Records Act. This request should have been fulfilled in a week."

On Nov. 25 I received what Page called the "first installment" of LeVine's calendar. It consisted of a ZIP file with a bunch of individual Outlook appointment files, only covering a small period of time & NOT a calendar in any commonsense meaning.

Page further explained it would take "months to complete this request" because ESD would have to go through and look at all this (ridiculous) individual files and redact info.

I responded, holding back my fury, that I didn't recall ever received a calendar in this format, nor had it ever taken this long. I then offered to show examples of what I meant.

I sent along a simply generated PDF of my own calendar and a snippet of @GovInslee's calendar I'd received in the same format. I outlined the quite easy process for doing this in Outlook. (Remember LeVine is a former Microsoft executive)

Heard nothing back for several days until I bugged him again. On Dec. 2 he apologized for the delay and said he was doing some research and would respond by Dec. 25.

You will not be surprised to learn that I did not receive even a lump of coal nor a message in my Inbox from ESD on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.

After taking some time off, I emailed on Dec. 30 asking why I had again heard nothing. This simple request had now languished for 189 days.

I complained to a records manager about this chain of events and was told Page would be getting back to me "shortly."

SIXTEEN DAYS later, he emailed me to expect another installment by March 31, 2021, saying LeVine's printed calendar is "hundreds" if not "over a thousand" pages.

That's where we stand, 212 days since my request. #FreeTheCalendar #waleg

Meanwhile, Suzi LeVine announced last week she's leaving @ESDwaWorks to take a job in the Biden administration. So none of the records will be coughed up prior to her exiting the agency.

This ludicrous response looks like gross incompetence or a cover up, or both. And these are not the only records sought by the Seattle Times that @ESDwaWorks has slow walked.

All this has had a chilling effect, because why waste my time filing new requests? These records, produced promptly could have helped shed light on an important state agency and its top official, who remained a top fundraiser for Joe Biden and the DNC.

I don't even know if these records would be worthwhile at this point. BUT 212 days is way too long and I am not letting this go. Please join me in prayers and steely, purposeful thoughts to #FreeTheCalendar and all records trapped inside @ESDwaWorks .
#waleg

CORRECTION: It has actually been 217 days since my records request. #FreeTheCalendar