Two bills aim to limit Washington AGO’s use of lawsuit settlement funds
Washington State Legislature Takes Aim at Attorney General’s Use of Lawsuit Settlement Money
Two bills have been filed in the Washington State Legislature to address concerns over Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s distribution of lawsuit settlement money. Last month, Ferguson sent out $40 million worth of checks to state residents, but many of them were sent to the wrong people or those who are not considered low-income. Critics argue that this use of public money is inappropriate, especially as Ferguson campaigns to become the state’s next governor.
Preventing Future Issues
One of the bills, Senate Bill 6176, aims to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future. Sponsored by Sen. Keith Wagoner, the bill would prohibit elected officials from including their names on settlement checks or letters sent to residents. While the State Auditor’s Office found no ethical violations, Wagoner believes that the inclusion of Ferguson’s name on the checks raises ethical questions and causes confusion among recipients.
Ensuring Proper Appropriation
Another bill, Senate Bill 6078, introduced by Sen. Mark Mullet, seeks to restrict the use of settlement money by the Attorney General’s Office. The bill states that settlement funds can only be used with a proper appropriation by law. Mullet argues that while it is important for the Attorney General to pursue price gougers, the distribution of settlement money should be subject to oversight and not left to the discretion of a state agency.
Both bills have been referred to the State Government & Elections Committee for further consideration.
What concerns have been raised about Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s use of lawsuit settlement money in Washington State?
The Washington State Legislature is taking action against Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s use of lawsuit settlement money. Two bills have been filed in response to concerns over Ferguson’s distribution of funds, particularly regarding the recent incident where $40 million worth of checks were sent to the wrong recipients.
Critics argue that the Attorney General’s use of public funds in this manner is inappropriate, especially given his current campaign to become the state’s next governor. In response to these concerns, the Washington State Legislature has introduced two bills aimed at addressing these issues.
Senate Bill 6176, sponsored by Sen. Keith Wagoner, aims to prevent similar situations from happening in the future. The bill proposes prohibiting elected officials, including Ferguson, from including their names on settlement checks or letters sent to residents. While the State Auditor’s Office found no ethical violations, Wagoner believes that the inclusion of Ferguson’s name on the checks raises ethical questions and causes confusion among recipients.
The second bill, Senate Bill 6078, introduced by Sen. Mark Mullet, seeks to restrict the use of settlement money by the Attorney General’s Office. According to this bill, settlement funds can only be used with proper appropriation by law. Mullet argues that while it is important for the Attorney General to pursue price gougers and other wrongdoers, the distribution of settlement money should be subject to oversight and not left solely to the discretion of a state agency.
Both bills have been referred to the State Government & Elections Committee for further consideration. It remains to be seen whether these bills will ultimately pass and become law, but their introduction indicates a growing concern among state legislators regarding the Attorney General’s use of settlement funds. As the debate continues, it will be important to strike a balance between enforcing justice and ensuring transparent and appropriate use of public funds.
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