Sound Transit fined over lobbying

OLYMPIA, Wash. —
The state Public Disclosure Commission has fined the Port of Seattle and Sound Transit for failing to report publicly funded lobbying of the Legislature.
The News Tribune reports the conservative watchdog group Freedom Foundation complained to the PDC last summer, and the agency approved a settlement Thursday with the Port of Seattle. It agreed to pay $3,750 for failing to comply with reporting requirements. Sound Transit agreed to pay $7,500 in another recent settlement.
The Port of Seattle didn't report $270,000 in expenses over more than four years. Sound Transit failed to disclose lobbying expenses worth $682,000 over three years.
Sound Transit called the lapse an administrative oversight caused by staff turnover. Staff changes also played a role in what the Port of Seattle called a lapse in procedures.
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Information from: The News Tribune, http://www.thenewstribune.com