Is WA State Dragging Feet Over Cap-And-Trade Whistleblower Suit?

After a long-time Washington State Department of Transportation economist resigned over allegations they were told to lie about the impact of the carbon credit program, their whistleblower lawsuit against the state has not resulted in a response from WSDOT and others.

   No response to public records request made by worker's attorney

Scott Smith was a veteran economist for the WSDOT, charged with estimating the costs of projects as well as their financial impact.  He was called a "transportation planner."   At the beginning of December, he filed a lawsuit, claiming he was pressured into resigning for refusing to lie about the impact the Climate Commitment Act would have on gas prices.

WSDOT, Gov. Inslee, and others said it would only raise gas prices "pennies" on the dollar but the CCA has driven them up between $.50 and $.60 cents.

His attorney, Jackson Maynard, told The Center Square the public records request still has not drawn a response, and other channels of communication have been met by WSDOT, the Governor's office, and other agencies with limited interaction.

You may recall other state agencies have dragged their feet when it comes to litigation against the state.  In 2023, the WA State Attorney General's office was fined and reprimanded by a judge for failure to turn over documents related to a DSHS abuse case involving an assisted-care living center.

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Maynard also said he has since been approached by other workers who have told similar stories that they were pressed to cover things up when it comes to price hikes from the carbon credit auctions.