The Legislative Ethics Board spent a fair amount of time determining whether legislators could receive free passes to the upcoming U.S. Open, and eventually decided some could because they were going to be doing “official business”. They’d be getting briefings on the benefits of such an event and what’s required to put one on because local officials are hoping this is the first of many such economy boosting extravaganzas. After the briefing, they’d be free to hobnob with other dignitaries, watch some golf and snack. And maybe in some future session they’ll find some money to help out the next big tourney.

While this sounds a bit like a time-share condominium hustle where vacationers are offered a free dinner cruise in exchange for sitting through a high-pressure sales pitch, the board gave the official okey-dokey and the invites are going out to a dozen or so legislators.

Last week the local officials informed the media that unfortunately reporters couldn’t be present for the presentations because it’s being delivered in an area that is “off limits” to the media. Reporters can always talk to legislators afterwards and “ask them how it went,” Hunter George, a spokesman for the organizers, said. The ever-helpful organizers might offer up some photos or video.

And reporters will likely keep a list of legislators who take the free passes and see how they vote the next time Pierce County officials show up with their hands out.

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