Boardman v. Inslee
This text of 354 F. Supp. 3d 1232 (Boardman v. Inslee) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, W.D. Washington primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.
Opinion
BENJAMIN H. SETTLE, United States District Judge
This matter comes before the Court on Defendants Governor Jay R. Inslee, Patricia Lashway, Director of the Washington Department of Social and Health Services ("DSHS"), and Ross Hunter, Director of the Washington Department of Early Learning's ("DEL") (collectively "State") motion for summary judgment, Dkt. 47, Defendant-Intervenors the Campaign to Prevent Fraud and Protect Seniors's ("Campaign") motion for summary judgment, Dkt. 48, and Plaintiffs Bradley Boardman ("Boardman"), Deborah Thurber ("Thurber"), Shannon Benn ("Benn"), and Freedom Foundation's ("Freedom Foundation" or "the Foundation") (collectively "Plaintiffs") cross-motion for summary judgment, Dkt. 50. The Court has considered the pleadings filed in support of and in opposition to the motions and the remainder of the file and hereby rules as follows:
I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY AND FACTUAL BACKGROUND
On June 30, 2014, the Supreme Court decided Harris v. Quinn ,
Washington voters enacted Washington State Initiative 1501 ("the Initiative") in the 2016 general election. Dkt. 47 at 4. The Initiative's text described its intent to:
protect the safety and security of seniors and vulnerable individuals by (1) increasing criminal penalties for identity theft targeting seniors and vulnerable individuals; (2) increasing penalties for consumer fraud targeting seniors and vulnerable individuals; and (3) prohibiting the release of certain public records that could facilitate identity theft and other financial crimes against seniors and vulnerable individuals.
Dkt. 47-1 at 5, Text of the Initiative. Plaintiffs challenge Part Three of the Initiative, which amended Washington's Public Records Act, RCW Chapter 42.56 ("PRA"). The PRA provides for broad public access to state records, see WAC 44-14-01003, but state statutes have also created hundreds of exceptions. See Dkt. 49-5, Declaration of Gregory Wong, Ex. E Table of Exemptions from Public Records Disclosure.2 The Initiative added an exception for "sensitive personal information of vulnerable individuals and sensitive personal information of in-home caregivers for vulnerable populations from inspection and copying" under the Act, and defined sensitive personal information to include names, in addition to addresses, GPS coordinates, telephone numbers, email addresses, social security numbers, driver's license numbers, "or other personally identifying information." Dkt. 47-1 10.
Neither party provides an explicit comparison of which identifying data points were available prior to the passage of the Initiative which are now not available.3 Based on the Court's examination of the text of RCW 42.56.250(4), "[r]esidential addresses, residential telephone numbers, personal wireless telephone numbers, personal electronic mail addresses, social security numbers, and emergency contact information of employees or volunteers of a public agency" in personnel records or public employment related records have *1238been excluded from public inspection and copying since at least 2006,4 and driver's license numbers and identicard numbers have been excluded since 2014.5 Comparing this information to § 8(2)(b) of the Initiative, it appears that for caregivers, the only additional information the Initiative withholds is their names. See Dkt. 47-1 10.
The Initiative continues to allow some entities to access caregiver identities, including the certified bargaining representative under RCW 41.56.080, see § 11(d), parties to contracts with the state where the contract requires disclosure, see § 11(f), or entities under contract with the state to provide services to or conduct research about vulnerable residents, see § 11(g).
The argument for the Initiative in the Voters' Guide noted that seniors and vulnerable people were particularly at risk of identity theft and other financial exploitation or scams. Dkt. 49-2 at 6-7. The argument against the Initiative in the Guide claimed the Initiative's goal "is to rewrite the Public Records Act to prevent in-home caregivers and childcare providers from learning they no longer can be forced to pay dues to the union." Id.
On April 5, 2017, Plaintiffs filed a complaint against the State alleging that the Initiative violates Plaintiffs' rights to free speech and free association under the First Amendment, and right to equal protection of the laws under the Fourteenth Amendment, seeking a permanent injunction enjoining the State from enforcing the Initiative. Dkt. 1, ¶¶ 89-132.
Also on April 5, Plaintiffs filed a motion for a temporary restraining order against the State, seeking to enjoin the Initiative. Dkt. 2. Plaintiffs raised their First Amendment and Equal Protection claims, as well as Thurber and Benn's desire to call an election to replace SEIU 925 with another union for child caregivers. Dkt. 2 at 12. To call an election at that time, they would have had to "convince 30% of Childcare Providers to call for an election during the month of April" to meet the deadline, sixty days prior to the expiration of the then-current collective bargaining agreement for child caregivers. Dkt. 2 at 12. On April 10, 2017 the State responded, Dkt. 15, and the Court held a hearing.
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BENJAMIN H. SETTLE, United States District Judge
This matter comes before the Court on Defendants Governor Jay R. Inslee, Patricia Lashway, Director of the Washington Department of Social and Health Services ("DSHS"), and Ross Hunter, Director of the Washington Department of Early Learning's ("DEL") (collectively "State") motion for summary judgment, Dkt. 47, Defendant-Intervenors the Campaign to Prevent Fraud and Protect Seniors's ("Campaign") motion for summary judgment, Dkt. 48, and Plaintiffs Bradley Boardman ("Boardman"), Deborah Thurber ("Thurber"), Shannon Benn ("Benn"), and Freedom Foundation's ("Freedom Foundation" or "the Foundation") (collectively "Plaintiffs") cross-motion for summary judgment, Dkt. 50. The Court has considered the pleadings filed in support of and in opposition to the motions and the remainder of the file and hereby rules as follows:
I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY AND FACTUAL BACKGROUND
On June 30, 2014, the Supreme Court decided Harris v. Quinn ,
Washington voters enacted Washington State Initiative 1501 ("the Initiative") in the 2016 general election. Dkt. 47 at 4. The Initiative's text described its intent to:
protect the safety and security of seniors and vulnerable individuals by (1) increasing criminal penalties for identity theft targeting seniors and vulnerable individuals; (2) increasing penalties for consumer fraud targeting seniors and vulnerable individuals; and (3) prohibiting the release of certain public records that could facilitate identity theft and other financial crimes against seniors and vulnerable individuals.
Dkt. 47-1 at 5, Text of the Initiative. Plaintiffs challenge Part Three of the Initiative, which amended Washington's Public Records Act, RCW Chapter 42.56 ("PRA"). The PRA provides for broad public access to state records, see WAC 44-14-01003, but state statutes have also created hundreds of exceptions. See Dkt. 49-5, Declaration of Gregory Wong, Ex. E Table of Exemptions from Public Records Disclosure.2 The Initiative added an exception for "sensitive personal information of vulnerable individuals and sensitive personal information of in-home caregivers for vulnerable populations from inspection and copying" under the Act, and defined sensitive personal information to include names, in addition to addresses, GPS coordinates, telephone numbers, email addresses, social security numbers, driver's license numbers, "or other personally identifying information." Dkt. 47-1 10.
Neither party provides an explicit comparison of which identifying data points were available prior to the passage of the Initiative which are now not available.3 Based on the Court's examination of the text of RCW 42.56.250(4), "[r]esidential addresses, residential telephone numbers, personal wireless telephone numbers, personal electronic mail addresses, social security numbers, and emergency contact information of employees or volunteers of a public agency" in personnel records or public employment related records have *1238been excluded from public inspection and copying since at least 2006,4 and driver's license numbers and identicard numbers have been excluded since 2014.5 Comparing this information to § 8(2)(b) of the Initiative, it appears that for caregivers, the only additional information the Initiative withholds is their names. See Dkt. 47-1 10.
The Initiative continues to allow some entities to access caregiver identities, including the certified bargaining representative under RCW 41.56.080, see § 11(d), parties to contracts with the state where the contract requires disclosure, see § 11(f), or entities under contract with the state to provide services to or conduct research about vulnerable residents, see § 11(g).
The argument for the Initiative in the Voters' Guide noted that seniors and vulnerable people were particularly at risk of identity theft and other financial exploitation or scams. Dkt. 49-2 at 6-7. The argument against the Initiative in the Guide claimed the Initiative's goal "is to rewrite the Public Records Act to prevent in-home caregivers and childcare providers from learning they no longer can be forced to pay dues to the union." Id.
On April 5, 2017, Plaintiffs filed a complaint against the State alleging that the Initiative violates Plaintiffs' rights to free speech and free association under the First Amendment, and right to equal protection of the laws under the Fourteenth Amendment, seeking a permanent injunction enjoining the State from enforcing the Initiative. Dkt. 1, ¶¶ 89-132.
Also on April 5, Plaintiffs filed a motion for a temporary restraining order against the State, seeking to enjoin the Initiative. Dkt. 2. Plaintiffs raised their First Amendment and Equal Protection claims, as well as Thurber and Benn's desire to call an election to replace SEIU 925 with another union for child caregivers. Dkt. 2 at 12. To call an election at that time, they would have had to "convince 30% of Childcare Providers to call for an election during the month of April" to meet the deadline, sixty days prior to the expiration of the then-current collective bargaining agreement for child caregivers. Dkt. 2 at 12. On April 10, 2017 the State responded, Dkt. 15, and the Court held a hearing. The Court denied the temporary restraining order due to Plaintiffs' failure to show a likelihood of success on the merits and delay in bringing the motion. Dkt. 21. Also on April 10, the Campaign filed a motion to intervene as a defendant. Dkt. 17. On May 11, 2017, the Court granted the Campaign's motion to intervene. Dkt. 31.
On July 17, 2018, the State and the Campaign each filed motions for summary judgment. Dkts. 47, 48. On July 18, 2018, Plaintiffs filed a cross-motion for summary judgment. Dkt. 50. On August 6, 2018, the parties responded. Dkts. 60, 61, 63. On August 10, 2018, the parties replied. Dkts. 65, 67, 68.6
II. DISCUSSION
In this case, the dispute centers on whether Part Three of the Initiative violates the Constitution. Both sides agree the dispute is primarily legal rather than *1239factual. Dkts. 47 at 3, 48 at 14, 63 at 7. The primary legal question is whether a statute enacted by Washington voters is constitutional. As a threshold matter, legislative classifications are presumed constitutional, and "the burden of showing a statute to be unconstitutional is on the challenging party." N.Y. State Club Ass'n, Inc. v. City of New York ,
Regarding the merits, Plaintiffs assert two Equal Protection claims and three First Amendment claims. The Court considers the First Amendment claims first, concluding that Plaintiffs have failed to establish any violation of a fundamental right. Based on that conclusion, the Court grants the State and the Campaign's motions for summary judgment on Plaintiffs' First Amendment claims and first Equal Protection claim, which is based on interference with a fundamental right. The Court then considers Plaintiffs' second Equal Protection claim under rational basis review and concludes that Plaintiffs have failed to establish any constitutional violation.
A. Summary Judgment Standard
Summary judgment is proper only if the pleadings, the discovery and disclosure materials on file, and any affidavits show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c). The moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law when the nonmoving party fails to make a sufficient showing on an essential element of a claim in the case on which the nonmoving party has the burden of proof. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett ,
The determination of the existence of a material fact is often a close question. The Court must consider the substantive evidentiary burden that the nonmoving party must meet at trial-e.g., a preponderance of the evidence in most civil cases. Anderson , 477 U.S. at 254,
B. First Amendment
Plaintiffs allege that creating a PRA exception for caregiver identities interferes with Plaintiffs' exercise of free speech and association because the identity lists "are essential for both Plaintiffs and *1240the Unions to engage in political speech with [caregivers]." Dkt. 1, ¶ 96. Plaintiffs rely on seven lines of doctrine to support their claim that the exception burdens their First Amendment speech and association rights: (1) methods of communication cases, (2) access to government cases, (3) ballot access cases, (4) right to listen cases, (5) viewpoint discrimination cases, (6) overbreadth cases, and (7) freedom of association cases. The Court concludes that none of the authorities cited by Plaintiffs establishes that the Initiative burdens their First Amendment rights.
a. Methods of Communication
Plaintiffs argue that the substantial Supreme Court precedent protecting picketing and door-to-door pamphlet distribution shows the First Amendment prohibits banning access to a particular audience or a particular method of communication. Dkt. 50 at 21. See , e.g. , Martin v. City of Struthers ,
Plaintiffs also cite Police Department of Chicago v. Mosley ,
In this case, Plaintiffs have failed to establish a "forum" wherein the alleged discrimination is occurring. Plaintiffs have failed to cite, and the Court is unaware of any, authority for the proposition that a list of names is either a public or private forum for communication. Unlike a set of mailboxes allowing a speaker to insert pamphlets, a list of names simply identifies individuals. Thus, Plaintiffs' reliance on Mosely and Carey is misplaced. Even if the list could be considered a forum, the Supreme Court has held that "when government property is not dedicated to open communication the government may-without further justification-restrict use to those who participate in the forum's official business," particularly when substantial alternative channels remain open for the rival union.
Plaintiffs also rely on Perry Education in arguing that they have a right to access government information identifying caregivers because, they believe, there is no other simple or inexpensive way to identify caregivers. Dkt. 63 at 9-10. Plaintiffs, however, fail to establish a fundamental constitutional right based on the alleged difficulty of their intended task. Similar to Perry Education , Plaintiffs fail to show that their ability to "communicate" with their intended audience is seriously impinged by Part Three of the Initiative.
b. Government Access
Perhaps the most vehement disagreement between the parties is about how to properly apply the First Amendment doctrines on access to government records or proceedings to the facts of this case. Defendants argue this case should follow Los Angeles Police Dep't v. United Reporting Publ'g Corp. ,
Los Angeles Police Dep't. In Los Angeles Police Dep't , California passed a statute requiring those placing public records requests for names and addresses of recently arrested individuals to "declare that the request is being made for one of five prescribed purposes, and that the requester *1242also declare that the address will not be used directly or indirectly to sell a product or service."
Petitioner [the Los Angeles Police Department] contends that the section in question is not an abridgement of anyone's right to engage in speech, be it commercial or otherwise , but simply a law regulating access to information in the hands of the police department. We believe that, at least for purposes of facial invalidation, petitioner's view is correct.
In Houchins , in response to a news station's First Amendment claim for access to jails to interview inmates following reports of a prisoner's suicide, the Supreme Court plurality explained that despite the media's First Amendment right to gather information, "[t]his Court has never intimated a First Amendment guarantee of a right of access to all sources of information within government control."
Press-Enterprise. The Press-Enterprise test, developed in application to the criminal justice system, asks "(1) whether historical experience counsels in favor of public access, and (2) whether public access would play a 'significant positive role in the functioning of the particular process in question.' "
*1243Plaintiffs highlight a Ninth Circuit case applying the test, Cal-Almond, Inc. v. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture ,
While this reasoning is dicta, Plaintiffs are correct that the posture of the Cal-Almond parties is similar to the case at bar to the extent that Plaintiffs Thurber and Benn seek to lobby caregivers to vote for their alternate union. Dkt. 63 at 13. However, Plaintiffs do not meet their burden to present precedent or historical fact showing a tradition of public access to the identities of public employees or union members to satisfy the first part of the Press-Enterprise test. See Dkt. 63 at 13-14. In considering that factor, the Press-Enterprise court described the history of criminal trials dating back to the Norman Conquest, noting that "even our modern procedural protections have their origin in the ancient common-law principle which provided, not for closed proceedings, but rather for rules of conduct for those who attend trials."
Addressing the second half of the Press-Enterprise test, whether public access plays a significant positive role in the functioning of the particular process in question, Plaintiffs argue public access to caregiver identities will disrupt the unions' "monopoly" on communication with the caregivers. Dkt. 63 at 14 ("IPs themselves, alternative Unions, or entities like the Freedom Foundation are all prevented from being able to speak to IPs."). Cases applying Press-Enterprise outside the criminal justice context have involved government criminal or civil enforcement, information about public figures or government action, or government meetings. See Leigh ,
Plaintiffs do not clarify what process they believe would benefit from increased *1244public access, whether that is caregiver union elections, caregiver participation in collective bargaining, or societal political debate about the value of collective bargaining between caregivers and the state. To the extent Plaintiffs believe it is too difficult to decertify caregiver unions, and public access to caregiver identities would significantly improve union elections, those arguments would be appropriate in a challenge involving the complete context of the state's collective bargaining laws.10 That is not the case here. Additional historical analysis and specificity could present a more compelling case, but on the record before the Court, an unestablished tradition of public access combined with a vague positive impact on an unspecified process does not support mandated access to government records under Press-Enterprise . Because Plaintiffs have not satisfied the Press-Enterprise test, and Los Angeles Police Dep't and related cases declare firmly that legislative policy decisions on public records disclosure do not generally implicate fundamental rights under the First Amendment, the Court concludes that Plaintiffs have failed to establish infringement of fundamental First Amendment rights.
c. Ballot Access
Plaintiffs cite one ballot access case, Bullock v. Carter ,
d. Right to Listen
Plaintiffs argue that withholding caregiver identities interferes with the caregivers'
*1245right to hear Plaintiffs' speech. Dkt. 50 at 24-26 (citing Red Lion Broadcasting Co. v. FCC ,
e. Viewpoint Discrimination
Plaintiffs allege that "Part III of [the Initiative] favors the Union's political and ideological viewpoints because the [I]nitiative exempts unions from its coverage .... Because the Initiative only burdens the speech of individuals and entities with views divergent from those of the Union, it is viewpoint-discriminatory." Dkt. 1, ¶ 116.
Even if Plaintiffs' records requests did constitute speech, the Initiative still does not discriminate based on viewpoint by disclosing caregiver identities to the certified collective bargaining representative and not Plaintiffs. As the Supreme Court explained in Perry Education , when the rival union alleged access to teacher mailboxes for the certified union constituted viewpoint discrimination, "it is more accurate to characterize the access policy as based on the status of the respective unions rather than their views." 460 U.S. at 49,
Plaintiffs are not the certified representative. The Initiative discloses caregiver identities to the certified bargaining representative under RCW 41.56.080, or parties to contracts with the state where disclosure is required or the entity is providing services to vulnerable residents or conducting research about them. Dkt. 47-1 at 11-12. These are all status distinctions, based on a contractual relationship or legal obligation to provide collective bargaining services, and do not involve "unbridled discretion in the hands of a government official or agency" as found unconstitutional in City of Lakewood v. Plain Dealer Publishing Co. ,
f. Overbreadth
Plaintiffs allege Part Three of the Initiative is overbroad, its "real, and sole, purpose is to silence the Plaintiffs' viewpoints," and its "restrictions on access to Provider lists bears [sic] a close and obvious nexus to Plaintiffs' speech." Dkt. 1, ¶¶ 122-123. Plaintiffs cite United States v. Stevens ,
Plaintiffs argue that the Initiative could fall under the Supreme Court's "course of conduct" analysis, see Dkt. 50 at 26, where the Court "has applied First Amendment scrutiny to a statute regulating conduct which has the incidental effect of burdening the expression of a particular political opinion," Arcara , 478 U.S. at 702,
Minneapolis Star and City of Lakewood are similarly inapposite, involving, respectively, a tax on newsprint and ink, *1247460 U.S. at 585,
g. Freedom of Association
Plaintiffs Thurber and Benn allege violation of their freedom of association, explaining that "[w]ithout the list of Childcare Providers, [they] cannot exercise their fundamental associational rights" to decertify SEIU "and are permanently subjected to an association with SEIU 925." Dkt. 1, ¶ 130. Plaintiffs cite Thomas ,
The Campaign highlights that traditional First Amendment associational protections include the right to refuse to disclose membership lists for advocacy groups, NAACP v. State of Ala. ex rel. Patterson ,
Finally, Plaintiffs cite Janus to support their argument that associational rights are implicated in exclusive union representation. However, as Defendants clarify, Janus held union agency fees from nonmembers constituted compelled speech in violation of First Amendment.
The Court is persuaded by Defendants' argument that despite the long and highly litigated history of labor relations laws *1248such as the federal Labor-Management Relations Act, 29 U.S.C § 7 et seq. , and the Washington Public Employees' Collective Bargaining Act, RCW Chapter 41.56, neither party has cited authority requiring an employer to disclose the identities of the members of the collective bargaining unit to a group wishing to associate with them. Dkt. 47 at 24. As previously noted, to the extent Plaintiffs Thurber and Benn wish to decertify the existing child caregiver union and believe the Initiative's disclosure provision makes that effort too onerous, they fail to establish that the Initiative infringes their First Amendment right to freedom of association. Therefore, the Court grants summary judgment for Defendants on Plaintiffs' Claim Five.
C. Equal Protection
Plaintiffs bring two equal protection claims: first, that the Initiative interferes with their fundamental rights of speech and association and therefore is subject to heightened scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause, and second, that the Initiative makes an impermissible distinction among similarly situated records requesters and was motivated by animus, thus failing even rational basis review. Dkt. 1, ¶¶ 89-109. Plaintiffs allege the Initiative is unconstitutional both facially and as applied to Plaintiffs.
1. Interference with Fundamental Rights
Plaintiffs allege that the Initiative "significantly interferes with citizens' fundamental rights and ... does not pass strict scrutiny." Dkt. 1, ¶ 90. "[E]qual protection analysis requires strict scrutiny of a legislative classification only when the classification impermissibly interferes with the exercise of a fundamental right or operates to the peculiar disadvantage of a suspect class." Mass. Bd. of Ret. v. Murgia ,
2. Animus and Similarly Situated Groups
Plaintiffs allege they are similarly situated to the certified collective bargaining representative permitted to access caregiver identities under § 8(d) of the Initiative, because "both are groups and individuals that engage in constitutionally protected speech with [caregivers]," and so should be afforded equal access to caregiver identities. Dkt. 1, ¶ 101. Plaintiffs further allege the Initiative "was drafted with the intention to silence the Foundation's political speech and thus harm the Foundation" and was "motivated solely by [the unions'] animus toward the Foundation, its outreach efforts, and its political speech." Dkt. 1, ¶ 106, 107.
"The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment commands that no State shall 'deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws,' which is essentially a direction that all persons similarly situated should be treated alike." City of Cleburne, Tex. v. Cleburne Living Ctr.,
*1249Rational basis review requires two steps of analysis. First, "[d]oes the challenged legislation have a legitimate purpose?" Western and Southern Life Ins. Co. v. State Bd. of Equalization of Cal. ,
Second, "[w]as it reasonable for the lawmakers to believe that use of the challenged classification would promote that purpose?" Western and Southern Life Ins. Co. ,
a. Similarly Situated Groups
Plaintiffs Boardman and Freedom Foundation seek to communicate with caregivers about their " Harris rights." Dkt. 50 at 10-11. The certified collective bargaining representative has a legal responsibility to negotiate on behalf of all caregivers with the state employer about their employment. See RCW 41.56.080. Plaintiffs Boardman and Freedom Foundation do not assert that they have or wish to assume this legal responsibility. Therefore, Plaintiffs Boardman and Freedom Foundation are not similarly situated to the certified collective bargaining representative. Because these plaintiffs are not similarly situated to those given the benefit they seek, a classification treating them differently does not violate the Equal Protection Clause on that basis.
Plaintiffs Thurber and Benn assert that they wish to communicate with child caregivers about issues relevant to the profession, and that they wish to call an election to replace SEIU 925 with their association, the PNWCCA. Dkt. 50 at 10. To the extent that they wish to discuss concerns with the caregivers, they are not similarly situated to the certified collective bargaining representative. To the extent that they wish to assume the position of certified bargaining representative vis-à-vis *1250the state employer, their circumstance is similar, but they are not the certified representative. They are a rival union. Courts recognize that certification of an exclusive representative is a permitted component of collective bargaining regulatory structures, which may include differential access to employees in the bargaining unit. See, e.g. , Perry Education , 460 U.S. at 49,
b. Animus
Next, the Court considers Plaintiffs' argument that the Initiative's decision to withhold previously available caregiver identities from public records requests raises an "inevitable inference that the disadvantage imposed is born of animosity toward the class of persons affected." See Dkt. 50 at 28 (citing Romer ,
Plaintiffs do not contest that preventing identity crimes against seniors and vulnerable individuals is a legitimate government purpose, see Western and Southern Life Ins. Co. ,
The Initiative does not explicitly articulate how withholding caregiver identities will protect vulnerable individuals. The State argues that caregivers often work in their client's homes, Dkt. 47 at 16 (citing *1251Dkt. 1, ¶ 20), and as the Initiative's general legislative findings state in § 4, these vulnerable clients frequently have "less ability to protect themselves ... and can be targeted using information available through public sources, including publically available information that identifies such individuals or their in-home caregivers."
These points support an inference that withholding a list of identities that would pinpoint homes containing vulnerable seniors reduces the amount of publically available information that could be used identify targets for financial fraud and identity theft, potentially reducing the rate at which seniors fall victim to these crimes. Plaintiffs argue that the purpose of protecting seniors and vulnerable individuals from fraud is "based on nothing more than speculation that some person might file a [public records request] and (now on record for requesting the information) commit identity theft or fraud." Dkt. 50 at 29. Plaintiffs argue that the law will not achieve its purpose of preventing identity theft because caregiver contact information was already exempted from disclosure, supporting an inference that the "only true effect of [the Initiative's Public Records Act] provisions was to preclude anyone other than approved groups from being able to learn the identity of [caregivers]." Dkt. 50 at 13.
However, Plaintiffs anticipate being able to "access the individual [caregivers] through mail directed to them and door-to-door canvassing" once they are provided a list of caregiver names. Dkt. 50 at 24. Plaintiffs suggest wrongdoers would not want to identify themselves by placing a public records request, but do not explain why legislative reasoning that identity thieves could also find direct contact information once they have a list of likely targets is irrational or speculative. Plaintiffs affirm that the primary work location for many caregivers is their own homes. See Dkt. 64, Second Declaration of Matt Hayward at 3, 4. If a caregiver's identity leads easily to address information to support direct mail or canvassing efforts, it appears rational for the voters to reason that protecting caregiver identities removes an avenue that could be abused to identify homes with vulnerable residents. Identity theft and financial fraud against seniors is undoubtedly a real problem. The Court finds that "it is evident from all the considerations presented to [the legislature]," or here, to the general voting public, that on the efficacy of reducing publically available information about caregivers to reduce possible avenues to target seniors for identity theft and similar crimes, "the question is at least debatable," and survives rational basis scrutiny. Clover Leaf Creamery Co. ,
The parties devote substantial briefing to the question of whether union animus against the Freedom Foundation would render the Initiative's withholding of previously *1252available information an illegitimate action driven by impermissible animus. Plaintiffs' most compelling argument may be that the true, or at least primary motivation of the Initiative's drafters and promoters was to restrict the Foundation's ability to communicate with caregivers about their right to withhold financial support from the unions. Plaintiffs have submitted both internal communications of union officials as well as communications from the unions to its members.13 Based on this evidence and SEIU 775's loss in the state court, one could rationally infer that the predominate motivating factor for the Initiative and the Campaign's support for the Initiative was animus toward the Freedom Foundation and outside entities with prerogatives similar to the Foundation. That inference leads to the conclusion that the proffered motivation of protecting seniors was merely pretext for the true motivation of animus. This rational conclusion, however, is of no moment to the Court's consideration of the issues because Plaintiffs have failed to submit any evidence that this allegedly impermissible animus "prompted the statute's enactment." Animal Legal Defense Fund ,
Instead, the text of the Initiative and the materials used to promote it to the general public can only lead to the conclusion that the legislation received voter approval because of the widely and legitimately promoted purpose of protecting a vulnerable population of the state's citizens from identity theft and financial fraud. Moreover, the motivations of the Campaign cannot render void a lawfully enacted initiative by the voters of Washington State even if some evidence establishes that the electorate may have been misled by the Initiative's chief proponent as to the proponent's true motivations. Therefore, the legitimate purpose for the PRA exception survives even a searching form of rational basis scrutiny, and the Court grants summary judgment for Defendants on Plaintiffs' Claim Two.
In sum, the Court concludes that Plaintiffs have failed to meet their burden to dislodge the Initiative's presumption of constitutionality.
III. ORDER
Therefore, it is hereby ORDERED that the State and the Campaign's motions for summary judgment, Dkts. 48 and 47, are GRANTED . Plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment, Dkt. 50, is DENIED .
The Clerk shall enter a JUDGMENT and close the case.
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