The Washington Legislature adjourned this week. One glaring disappointment is its failure to require government bodies to make audio recordings of their executive sessions.

The law allows those secret proceedings only under limited circumstances, but there’s no way now to make sure the law is followed.

A recording would give a judge something to examine in response to a plausible challenge.

Local officials from across the state lobbied against the legislation. Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, the sponsor of the measure, has said the Seattle City Council and Pierce County Council are adopting the practice voluntarily.

What an opportunity for the Board of Spokane County Commissioners, the town and city councils throughout the county, along with the school boards and all the other junior taxing districts, to demonstrate their own commitment to open government and follow suit.

If not, perhaps they could at least explain what they have to hide.