Washington state senator fined for misusing public resources at Dobbs response event.
Democratic Washington State Senator Fined for Ethics Violation
Democratic Washington state Senator Manka Dhingra has been fined by the ethics board for using public resources inappropriately. The violation occurred when she encouraged people to register to vote at an abortion rights event last summer.
In an order from the ethics board, Dhingra was fined $250 and is required to pay back $92.43, which was the reimbursement amount she received for her mileage to the conference. The event took place the day after the United States Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade.
The board ruled that Dhingra violated a state code about ethics in public service, which state senator fined for misusing public resources at Dobbs response event.”>prohibits state officers and legislators from using public resources for the purpose of assisting a campaign or promoting/opposing a ballot proposition.
According to the board’s order, “the use of public resources to solicit people to register to vote or advise them how to vote is not considered normal and regular conduct for a legislative office and would violate [the statute].”
The event was organized in response to the court’s ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Dhingra, along with several state legislators and Governor Jay Inslee (D-WA), voiced their concerns about the need for increased protections for reproductive care.
During the conference, Governor Inslee mentioned that Democratic governors from California and Oregon had come together to discuss a multi-state commitment to protecting abortion access and reproductive resources.
Dhingra has stated that she will fulfill the reimbursements for her mileage expenses and pay the fine as ordered. She explained that she was invited by Governor Inslee to “comment on the state response to the Dobbs decision” and was not aware that she couldn’t encourage people to register to vote in her official capacity as a state senator.
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