Recently, Washington State legislators passed and sent to the governor a bill exempting many of their records from public view, despite the state’s Public Records Act.

Public protest over the bill began after newspapers pointed out how they used the Public Records Act to investigate political corruption,.

The legislature had passed the exemption bill without the usual public debate and scrutiny. A large number of representatives and senators approved the bill, supposedly rendering it veto proof.

The governor, though expressing himself against the measure, was considering letting it pass without any action, since, it seemed, the legislature would simply vote to override his veto.

Thousands of emails poured into offices of the legislators. Thousands of citizens phoned. Some even sent letters. Reaction overwhelmingly condemned the bill.

The governor vetoed the bill, and the legislators agreed not to pass it over his signature. They will, they said, work on another bill that follows more accepted procedures and allows for compromise.

In a time when our national government appears polarized and paralyzed, citizens can exert a great deal of influence at the state and local levels. Perhaps responsible state governments will prod our national politicians out of their dysfunction.

A long time ago, I heard someone suggest that involvement, even in small ways, works to overcome the despair of powerlessness.

I was one of those who emailed my state legislators. It was a small act, but, strangely, it did give me a bit of optimism about our democracy.