Looks like Hutcherson's off the hook…

The Lake Washington School District reconsiders...

Dear Church Leader,

We are following up on the Lake Washington School District's letter to you dated May 24, 2006, concerning use of school facilities for certain political activities under RCW 42.17.130.

Since we wrote to you, we have contacted the Public Disclosure Commission, the state agency charged with enforcing the guidelines governing the use of school facilities in campaigns. The prohibitions we described in the letter apply to the district's use of school facilities, but according to the PDC, the guidelines do not restrict the ability of third parties to promote or oppose ballot measures in that part of a school governed by a rental agreement during the time of the rental. Thus, the district is retracting its May 24th letter.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you,

Janene Fogard

I don't really like the effect, as in I really don't like the effect, but I think it's the right ruling. After all, when we rent school facilities for Democratic caucuses and conventions there's obviously electioneering, and often some signature gathering. Just because Ken Hutcherson and his followers would deny civil liberties to others is no reason for us to support suspending theirs.

For now, Permanent Defense has tools and resources for the fight against Referendum 65, and if you see one of those petitions in circulation, let them know.