PDC Clears Union Email; Governor Says She'd Have Vetoed Gag Rule Anyway

In this morning's Everett Herald, Jerry Cornfield reports that the Public Disclosure Commission will not pursue action against the union lobbyist who sent a controversial email that got the Worker Privacy Act legislation tabled for the session. You'll remember, that's the "not another dime" email, saying no more union contributions unless lawmakers pass labor's top priority, a gag rule on employers. After learning of the email, Gov. Gregoire, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, and House Speaker Frank Chopp referred the email to the Washington State Patrol and killed the bill.

The patrol determined that the email did not break the law. Now, with the PDC saying, "no foul, play on," it's back to the legislature.

This time, however, we have Gov. Gregoire's Monday statement that she would have vetoed the bill anyway. That's the right call.

Stay tuned. Somehow, it doesn't look like this is over yet.