Calls Move “Partisan Retaliation” for Health Care Lawsuit

Former federal prosecutor and Attorney General candidate Reagan Dunn today condemned efforts by Democratic legislators to strip the Office of Washington State Attorney General of its independent authority.  On Tuesday, Dunn sent a letter to Senator Adam Kline, prime sponsor of the measure, voicing his concern for the effect of the bill.   

“This is obviously retaliation from partisans who are upset about Attorney General McKenna joining the federal health care lawsuit,” said Dunn.  “Those legislators should be very careful not to go too far.  The people of the State of Washington count on having an independent Attorney General to protect their rights.  This is bad public policy and bad for the people of Washington State.”

SB 6286, sponsored by Senators Kline, Keiser, Kohl-Wells and Fraser, would limit the authority of the Attorney General’s office only to issues expressly authorized by statute or to actions requested by another state official.  The Attorney General would have very limited independent authority under the current proposal.

“The Attorney General is an independent constitutional office for a reason.  Washington State needs one directly elected legal advocate to protect the rights of its citizens,” said Dunn.  “In addition, the Attorney General should ensure that the State of Washington has one uniformed legal policy.”    

Dunn’s letter points out that former Attorney General and current Governor, Christine Gregoire, agreed with his position in a 2003 amicus brief where she stated, “To permit these officials … to displace the Attorney General’s determination of the public interest, and to dictate what lawsuits should be brought and what legal remedies should be sought, would turn the Attorney General into a mouthpiece for other political interests.”

The full version of Dunn’s letter is attached to this correspondence.  For more information about Reagan Dunn and his campaign for Attorney General, please visit, www.reagandunn.com. 

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Reagan Dunn is in his seventh year on the King County Council where he has served as Chairman of the Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee, Vice Chair of the Council, Chair of the Government Accountability and Oversight Committee, and Chair of the Regional Transit Committee. Dunn was re-elected to his second full term in his council district with 78% of the vote and currently represents about 230,000 citizens in Southeast King County. He resides in Maple Valley with his wife, Paige, and son.

For more information or to schedule an interview, call (206) 617-8655.