Campaign finance disclosure scored a major victory Thursday with the state Supreme Court’s decision to uphold an $18 million penalty imposed against the Grocery Manufacturers Association for concealing the source of funds fueling its successful 2013 effort to defeat a citizen initiative to require labeling of genetically modified foods.

PDC Chair David Ammons welcomed the news that the Court upheld a trial court finding that the industry group intentionally violated the law in trying to evade public knowledge of its members’ spending against Initiative 522.

“The court’s decision sends a ringing message to any group that might try to circumvent Washington’s campaign finance laws,” Ammons said. “Voters have a right to know who the players are in a campaign – whether they support or oppose a ballot measure. And this case demonstrates the Commission’s crucial role in ensuring transparency on the part of those who spend money to influence voters.

Technology keeps PDC operating during emergency

Commission Chairman David Ammons said the PDC is committed to carrying forward with its essential business during the COVID-19 emergency.

He said meeting attendance -- including by the public, commissioners and staff -- was through remote computer or phone access only during the emergency.

 “We welcome public comment by email and telephone,” Ammons added.

PDC Executive Director Peter Lavallee said that the agency’s Information Technology team was able to work quickly to establish channels for meetings and other forms of collaboration.

He explained that as staff work remotely, use of cloud computing ensures public records remain within the custody of the PDC.

Commissioners heard other examples of how the PDC is working to accommodate filers and the public during the emergency:

Spokane attorney Nancy L. Isserlis is the newest member of the Public Disclosure Commission.

Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Isserlis to the Commission on Jan. 3.

“Nancy’s long history of civic leadership, legal expertise and her on-the-ground knowledge of campaign finance disclosure will be great additions to the PDC,” Inslee said.

Isserlis is a lawyer with Winston & Cashatt, a firm she rejoined after serving four years as Spokane City Attorney.  She has been in practice in Spokane since 1981, focusing on insolvency, restructuring and commercial practice.

She has chaired or managed dozens of campaigns, and has assisted many candidates with meeting disclosure requirements.

“I understand the important work the PDC does to make information available to voters so they can make informed decisions when they cast their ballots,” she said. “I look forward to assisting the PDC through a new lens as a commissioner.”

Chair Dave Ammons kicked off the December meeting by giving a brief overview of what he said was a good year for the Public Disclosure Commission.

“We’re all so very proud and amazed actually with the progress that was made through the course of the year, bringing more tools and more capacity and more attention really from public, and the Legislature and the governor,” Ammons said.

Ammons cited a “great legislative session with good bipartisan support” for the PDC’s agency-request legislation to create more tools for filers to be successful and to make it easier for the public to access information. He thanked Commissioner Anne Levinson and PDC staff for their work to ensure its passage.

Changes coming to Personal Financial Affairs (F-1) reporting

The Public Disclosure Commission will make personal financial affairs disclosure (F-1) information from candidates, elected officials and others available online beginning in January 2020.

The F-1 is the only PDC form not currently available on the agency’s website. Come next year, new financial disclosure reports filed with the commission will be viewable via the website, while older reports will remain available by public records requests.

State law requires candidates, elected officials, state board and commission members, state agency directors, and legislative and gubernatorial professional staff to disclose personal financial information through the F-1.

The information allows the public to assess whether candidates and elected and appointed officials have conflicts of interest.

The Public Disclosure Commission announced today that Gov. Jay Inslee has appointed Fred Jarrett, the recently retired King County Senior Deputy Executive, to the Commission.

Jarrett is a former state lawmaker, mayor, city council member and school board member.

“Fred has extensive experience at all levels of government, which has given him a deep appreciation and understanding of the importance of the work of the state Public Disclosure Commission,” Inslee said. “He is well-respected in both government and the private sector and will be an excellent addition to the PDC.”