FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 7, 2013

CONTACT: Ashley Wilson, Public Information Officer – (360) 786-7761
Rep. Brad Hawkins – (360) 786-7832

Rep. Hawkins introduces legislation to promote transparency in government

Rep. Brad Hawkins, R-East Wenatchee, and Rep. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane  have co-sponsored legislation to promote greater transparency in government spending.

The two freshmen legislators have teamed up to co-sponsor House Bill 1733 to leverage existing government data to create a user-friendly online map which would display capital Budget and transportation Budget spending by area.

“I believe strongly that the people who elect us want legislators to work together, and they want transparency in government spending. This bill will help citizens across the state better understand where Capital and Transportation budget investments are made,” Hawkins said.

Riccelli and Hawkins have worked on the bill since the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, and the bill has already received bipartisan support.

“It’s been a great experience to work with Rep. Hawkins on this legislation,” Riccelli said. “Transparency and government accountability are ideas both parties can and should get behind.”

The legislation has been referred to the House Government Operations and Election Committee where it is expected to receive a hearing before advancing further in the legislative process. ###

For more information, visit our Web site at: houserepublicans.wa.gov.

Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov
455 John L. O’Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600