Ethics panel dings Dhingra over abortion-rights event

Plus a PDC decision on surplus campaign cash and an interesting mailer in Seattle

The Legislative Ethics Board has imposed a small fine on state Sen. Manka Dhingra, currently a candidate for attorney general, for using legislative resources to travel to an abortion-rights rally on the statehouse steps in Olympia in the wake of the Dobbs decision last year.

The panel ordered a fine of $250 for violating the state law against using public resources for political activity, and directed Dhingra, D-Redmond, to reimburse the state $92.43.

Sen. Manka Dhingra speaks at the June 25 event in Olympia. (Photo courtesy of Gov. Jay Inlsee’s office.)

Those were the only penalties levied in response to complaints to the panel over two events organized by Gov. Jay Inslee, one on June 25 in Olympia and one on Oct. 21 in Bellingham.