Seattle Times Hit With PDC Complaint Over Climate Initiative Coverage

A new Public Disclosure Commission complaint is putting the Seattle Times' coverage of Washington's 2024 climate initiative battle under scrutiny. Radio host Ari Hoffman, acting as a private citizen, filed a complaint alleging that Seattle Times coverage surrounding Initiative 2117 — which sought to repeal Washington's Climate Commitment Act — amounted to reportable campaign activity. The complaint names the Seattle Times along with the Seattle Foundation, Clean & Prosperous Washington, Clean & Prosperous Institute, Green Jobs PAC and the No on 2117 committee. The complaint comes as another political disclosure fight continues involving Let’s Go Washington and podcaster Brandi Kruse. Meanwhile, Arthur West has filed a separate complaint against Washingtonians for Ethical Government, alleging the organization should have registered as a political committee. The Center Square's Carlene Johnson breaks down the competing complaints, the allegations surrounding political speech and campaign activity, and why these fights could receive even more attention as Washington voters head toward November. #SeattleTimes #PDC #WashingtonPolitics #ClimateCommitmentAct #Initiative2117 #SeattleNews #WashingtonNews #LetsGoWashington #BrandiKruse #AriHoffman #WApolitics #CampaignFinance #WashingtonState #TheCenterSquare