August 13, 2022
The Commission launched a discussion of potential topics for the PDC’s priorities for the 2023 legislative session.
Among the potential PDC priorities discussed were measures that would:
- Require sponsors to identify their ads as political messages to the companies that sell them the advertising
- Provide more timely grassroots lobbying disclosure
- Adjust campaign reporting schedules to align with our vote-by-mail election period
- Raise the dollar threshold for reporting of large last-minute contributions.
The Commission plans to devote a significant portion of its Aug. 25, 2022, meeting to discussion with the public and legislators on PDC legislative priorities. It also wants to hear if others have additional ideas about how to increase campaign finance transparency.
Enforcement hearings & fines
The Commission issued fines after conducting five enforcement hearings involving elected officials and former officials who failed to file Personal Financial Affairs (F-1) statements on time.
Jessie K. Baines, former commissioner for the Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma, failed to file an F-1 for calendar year 2021. His term of office ended Dec. 31, 2021.
Baines had two previous violations within the past five years, for which he had been fined a total of $650. He filed one of the reports but as of the July 28 hearing, had paid neither fine.
The Commission voted to impose a $1,000 fine, but suspend $250 of it if Baines files all missing reports and pays all fines owed within 30 days.
Joshua Quantrell, a commissioner for the Klickitat Recreation District, failed to file an F-1 for calendar year 2021.
He has three previous violations within the last five years, for which he had been fined a total of $3,250. As of the hearing date, those fines for missing F-1 reports had not been paid.
The Commission voted to impose a $6,000 fine for the current violation, but suspend $1,000 if Quantrell files all missing reports and pays all previous fines within 30 days.
Pedro Olguin, former member of the Burien City Council, failed to file an F-1 report for calendar year 2021. He left office in 2021.
He previously paid a $100 fine for failing to file an F-1 report for the 2017 election. He also was fined $1,000 for failure to file an F-1 report for calendar year 2020. As of the date of the hearing, that fine had not been paid.
The Commission voted to fine Olguin $3,000 for the current violation and suspend $1,000 of that amount if he files all missing reports and pays outstanding fines within 30 days.
Chris Loving, former member of the Burlington City Council, failed to file an F-1 report for calendar year 2021. His term ended Dec. 31, 2021.
Loving has one prior violation, for failure to file an F-1 report for calendar year 2020. The violation resulted in a $250 fine. As of the hearing date, it had not been paid.
The Commission voted to issue a $500 fine for the current violation, and suspend $100 of that amount, if all missing reports are filed and the previous fine paid.
Danny Walling, commissioner for Clark Fire Protection District 10, failed to file an F-1 report for calendar year 2021.
He has three prior violations within the past five years, for which he was fined a total of $4,000, which remains unpaid. He is missing three years of F-1 reports.
The Commission voted to impose the maximum fine of $10,000 for the current violation, but suspend $2,500 of that if all missing reports are filed and outstanding fines for previous violations paid. Commissioners also directed staff to pursue whatever means of collections they deem appropriate, either turning the matter over to a collection agency or pursing court action to enforce the penalties.
Enforcement stats
As of July 19, 2022, PDC staff had 35 active cases based on complaints from the public, and 184 cases based on complaints filed by PDC staff.
Between June 16 and July 19, PDC staff closed 19 cases based on complaints from the public and 19 cases based on complaints filed by PDC staff.
Next regular Commission meeting: Aug. 25, 2022