Laws protecting journalists signed

OLYMPIA – Taxpayers may see more government records, and news reporters can protect sources without being jailed under two bills Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law.

The measures were among some two dozen that Gregoire signed on Friday.

Under the new “sunshine” law, a state committee would examine more than 300 exemptions to the state’s public records act, a voter-approved law that spells out which government documents must be publicly disclosed.

Attorney General Rob McKenna requested the measure, which he said would repair years of damage done by rules that keep government information out of taxpayers’ view.

Voters overwhelmingly approved the state’s public records law by initiative in 1972.

The measure called for disclosure of campaign finances, lobbyist activity, financial affairs of elected officers and candidates, and access to public records.

When it passed, there were only 10 exemptions to the public records section. Since then, hundreds of exemptions have been introduced.

Gregoire on Friday also signed a measure that protects journalists from being jailed for refusing to reveal their confidential sources.