Ep. 11 They Didn't Ask For Slack Chats

In this episode, we return to a recurring pattern in Washington’s public records system: agencies only search what you name — and quietly celebrate when you don’t.

First, an update on PRR 24-530. WaTech has now formally closed the request while falsely claiming they produced the live DAUG meeting chats. They didn’t. What they provided were full-length recordings with a few seconds of chat accidentally visible on screen — not exported chats, not searchable text, and not compliant production. That contradiction is now locked on the record.

Then we turn to the Office of Insurance Commissioner, where internal emails show staff openly relieved that their work chats were in Slack, a platform the requester didn’t explicitly name, punctuated by an actual wink emoji. This wasn’t an accident. It was the strategy. And it’s the same strategy seen at DCYF (“didn’t specify Teams, so we didn’t search Teams”) and DOC (text messages only searched if explicitly requested).

This is not ambiguity. It is intent:
Search narrowly. Delete quickly. Deny accountability.

Finally, I’m joined by Bill Lucia, editor of the Washington State Standard, for a conversation about Governor Bob Ferguson’s increasingly closed-door approach to governing — from withheld schedules to centralized message control to the absence of unscripted press availability since the Teams deletion suspension quietly expired.

Additional Links...

Attorney General Nick Brown announces changes to the AG's Model Rules on Public Disclosure

Two Pieces by Bill Lucia:

Where's Gov. Bob Fergsuon? 

Known unknowns in Bob Ferguson's Olympia