The Washington Coalition for Open Government will present a special program focusing on Washington’s Public Records and Open Meetings laws from 6:30-8:30 p.m. tonight at Heritage Hall, 203 Market Street in Kirkland.

A panel of expert presenters will fuel the discussion on securing and preserving the public’s legal right to access the records and proceedings of the government agencies created to serve the people of the state. The panelists include: Kirkland resident and former State Rep. Toby Nixon; State Auditor Brian Sonntag; Scott Johnson, attorney with the law firm Stokes Lawrence; and Scott St. Clair of the Evergreen Freedom Foundation. Carrie Wood, editor of the Kirkland Reporter, will moderate the discussion.

The forum is free and open to all, and questions and comments from the audience are welcome. This civic event is sponsored by the Kirkland Reporter.

The Washington Coalition for Open Government is a statewide non-partisan, non-profit group of individuals and organizations dedicated to strengthening and preserving the public’s right to know what its government is doing. The coalition has presented a series of similar programs around the state to educate the citizens of Washington on their rights of access.

For more information, contact the Washington Coalition for Open Government at 206-782-0393 or info@washingtoncog.org.