‘Worker privacy’ bill is dead after email linking contributions to votes

Just got a statement from Governor Chris Gregoire, House Speaker Frank Chopp and Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown: The so-called ‘worker privacy’ bill is dead and there’s now an investigation over whether an e-mail “linking potential action on the bill to campaign contributions” broke the law.

The “worker privacy” bill was listed as the labor unions’ top priority this session — and among the top bills to quash on a list from the Association of Washington Business. The bill would have barred employers from requiring employees to sit through meetings about religion or union matters. Here is our coverage.

The statement says: “We are no longer considering action on House Bill 1528 and Senate Bill 5446, also known as the Worker Privacy Act. Immediately upon becoming aware of an email linking potential action on the bill to campaign contributions, bringing the bill forward was no longer an option. The email raises serious legal and ethical questions.”

The three have passed the e-mail along to the Washington State Patrol for Investigation.

“The matter has been referred to the Washington State Patrol for investigation.”

The statement does not say who sent the e-mail, who received it or what comprised the alleged quid pro quo.

Here are the rules for lobbying groups’ dealings with lawmakers. Among them: (Lobbyists may not) exercise any undue influence, extortion, or unlawful retaliation upon any legislator by reason of such legislator’s position with respect to, or his vote upon, any pending or proposed legislation.

I have a call into the Washington State Patrol and will update as soon as I have more information.

Tags: Labor relations