Search for “transparency”
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Rochester parent takes quest for school records to Michigan Supreme Court
Asks for reversal of Feb. 22 Appeals Court ruling
… Michigan Supreme Court warns that upholding these decisions could harm transparency by shielding the official records of local government employees from … the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation, warns, the cause of government transparency will suffer. “If this decision stands, the public’s ability to gain … more
Muskegon real estate developer gets $18 million from Michigan taxpayers
Earmarks help company with 250 employees
… control the legislative and executive branches of Michigan’s government. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer campaigned on the theme of having more government transparency, a theme echoed by many legislators.
The current state budget, however, does not disclose who requested the money and why the company was picked … more
An invitation to help CapCon find the news
Michigan Capitol Confidential is going local in 2024
… than one occasion when spoke out when state officials allocated millions of dollars to a Chinese-based company for a factory. Sensing a lack of transparency, the people of the township recalled the officials who approved the project.
We will have a greater focus on education in 2024. As some state … more
The problem with pork
Michigan lawmakers grant $1B in earmarks annually
… behalf of one of his or her constituents. This results in a lack of transparency and accountability, and it can create an unfair advantage for some businesses … about its pork problem. Current leaders in Lansing vowed more government transparency, and they have yet to fulfill that promise. There should be a vetting … more
Three Michigan cities swim with the help of state taxpayer funds
Three community pools lap up over $7 million in 2024 state budget
… out emails to various parties, seeking comment on these projects. No recipient responded.
Critics of pork projects say there is no process or transparency for awarding these grants. A representative or senator requests the grants that will benefit his or her district to be included in the budget. … more
MSU loses claim that student privacy trumps transparency law
Universities increasingly cite federal privacy law to withhold information
… related to a controversy involving one of its officials. Last month, it lost in a Michigan Court of Appeals ruling that an advocate for government transparency applauded.
In 2020 the Graduate Employees Union at Michigan State University called on MSU to remove Stephen Hsu, the university’s senior vice … more
Hill Harper and the problem of financial disclosure in Michigan
Feds have teeth to police incomplete financial disclosures; under bills headed to Whitmer’s desk, Michigan does not
… not a secret,” Byrum wrote in one post.
“If this filing was a mistake, it is time to fix it and if you are going to err, do so on the side of transparency, not obfuscation,” Byrum added. “You owe it to the voters to ensure that they have the full picture when asking them for their votes.”
Byrum noted … more
Michigan Senate passes financial disclosure bills, but critics blast timing
Facing a Dec. 31 deadline, lawmakers submitted the first bill on Oct. 24
… commit to taking the next two months, and going and engaging with our constituents and asking them, what is it we should do regarding financial transparency, to start the process of regaining the trust of the people of Michigan?” Lindsey asked.
Lindsey and Runestad’s protest went unheeded. The rest … more
Three years later, Michigan court rules Michigan State illegally withheld information
Michigan lawmakers must close FOIA loopholes
… caselaw of when the exemption for FERPA information regarding students applies to public records requests. It is just the latest in a string of transparency victories the Mackinac Center has won over public entities across Michigan. But it should not take three years and hours of legal work to arrive … more
Michigan financial disclosure bills need teeth, authors admit
Penalties should include high fines, denial of office for non-filers, experts say
…
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, testifying via Zoom, said that Michigan is “among the worst states in the nation” when it comes to ethics and transparency in government.
“I hope this is just the beginning,” Benson said of the bills as written. She said the bills lack the “real penalties” of campaign … more
Michigan House Ethics Committee has not met since June
Transparency legislation is languishing, vice-chair claims
… June. And its vice chair questions whether the committee will move on transparency legislation by year’s end.
When the 102nd Michigan Legislature started … House ethics committee.
“Today is 223 days since we introduced our transparency bills,” Kunse told Michigan Capitol Confidential Monday. “The governor … more
House subcommittee investigates COVID exodus policy held by U-M
University of Maryland gets congressional letter for its 5-day dorm exile, which University of Michigan follows
… The letter ends by noting the subcommittee’s mandate.
“The Select Subcommittee is authorized to investigate ‘the efficacy, effectiveness, and transparency of the use of taxpayer funds and relief programs to address the coronavirus pandemic, including reports of waste, fraud, or abuse’ under H. Res. … more
So you want to move to Michigan? Here’s the reality
$20M marketing blitz won’t mask Michigan’s problems, but an engaged public can help
… information on bills, and the information available to the public is often months old.
If you want to move to Michigan and be an involved citizen, transparency is a battle you will fight, from local governments to the state government in Lansing.
We have a state government whose tentacles extend into … more
Michigan growth council rejects transparency
Growing Michigan Together Council turns Detroit News reporter away from ‘public’ meeting
Why we emphasize transparency
Government works best when it’s watched closely. With outdated information, that can’t happen.
… say? Congrats, you’re part of the problem. CapCon doesn’t emphasize transparency to be mean. We just happen to think that citizens should be able to … Candidates will be knocking on your door soon enough. If they don't value transparency, they support a status quo that is opaque. What will you do with this … more
Despite talk of transparency, in 2023 Lansing is opaque as ever
Word and deed are in conflict in the state capital
Michigan Democrats declared last November that they would provide transparency in state government. Elected Democrats stood shoulder-to-shoulder on Mackinac Island in June and declared new transparency laws were coming to Lansing. “Our government must be transparent and … more
What Troy cricket field giveaway says about Michigan
Lawmakers pay for a single cricket field in Troy, rather than defraying costs for all students to play sports
…
Every dollar spent by Lansing comes from taxpayers. People who work for a living have to watch their hard-earned money being spent without any transparency — and even without any consideration of whether the spending is a good use of the money.
Jamie A. Hope is assistant managing editor of Michigan … more
Mackinac Center sues MSU over Eagle Twp. land deal
University throws a blanket over 1,200-acre gift
… are frustrated at the lack of transparency in disclosing the agreement that … disclosing all of the details for transparency and clarity?”
The Mackinac Center … example of Michigan’s lack of transparency,” said Steve Delie, director of transparency and open government at the Mackinac … more
Whitmer commission to grow Michigan starts work at undisclosed location
Advisory board disregards transparency in favor of secrecy
Michigan bill would conceal union political contributions
Under House Bill 4234, a union could double or triple its giving to preferred candidates
… purpose of certain campaign finance regulations.
Supporters say the bill will strengthen workers’ political voices. But it would also reduce the transparency of unions’ spending in politics.
As the House fiscal analysis reads: “A labor organization would still be subject to reporting requirements but … more
Michigan bills would bring transparency to earmark process
Tie-barred House bills aim to shed light on where taxpayer dollars are going and why
Two bills introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives would bring transparency to the state budget process. House bills 4750 and 4751 were introduced this month by Reps. Tom Kuhn, R-Troy, and Donni Steele, R-Orion.
The bills are tie-barred together. Both bills must pass for either to be enacted … more
‘Everything is broken’: Michigan lawmaker bemoans lack of transparency in budget process
If there is anything worse than bipartisanship, it is one-party rule.
… While the current cast of Republicans are frustrated by the lack of transparency, their previous leaders have also engaged in political antics that did … process to make sure every voice is heard? What better time to model transparency in government? And who better than our lawmakers to model for the people … more
Michigan senator targets National Popular Vote junkets in floor speech
Senator says transparency is lacking as movement funds ‘all-expense seminars’ in warm destinations
… used the National Popular Vote to make a larger point about the lack of transparency in Michigan government.
National Popular Vote, for years, has taken … Michigan is the least transparent state in the nation,” Runestad said. “Transparency and sunshine are the antiseptic to corruption.”
Runestad went on to … more
CapCon’s agenda: facts and solutions
The multimedia era begins at Michigan Capitol Confidential
… funds, information the university supplied Gov. Whitmer’s officials about COVID policy and political statements made by the university president. Transparency is an ideal worth fighting for.
We are residents of this state. We want our elected officials to serve with integrity or at least with respect … more
MEDC asks $5,700 for nondisclosure agreements
Government-by-NDA has been business as usual in Michigan. But the Mackinac Center insists on transparency
… There could be as many as 5,572 single pages, or as few as 2,786 double-sided pages. How many agreements does that account for? We don’t know.
Transparency is a Mackinac Center concern. When Gordon left the health department, Whitmer wasn’t paying him with her own funds; she was spending the people’s … more
Michigan Rep: 102nd Legislature is off to a rocky start
Michigan lawmaker bemoans lack of debate, regular order and transparency at Capitol
Wall Street Journal covers Mackinac Center FOIA case
Transparency and access to public records is at stake
… judge about Michigan’s public transparency law.
Carol Beth Litkouhi, a parent … schools should be held to the same transparency standards as other public employees. … Center is appealing the ruling.
Transparency from public officials is a core … ruling, as it significantly weakens transparency in Michigan.” more
In last agenda item of year, Oakland County Commissioners gave themselves a raise
“If you want quality, you’ve got to pay for it,” commissioner said before voting yes
… this item is not on there,” Spisz said at the meeting, challenging the transparency of the resolution. “It’s on our packet and on our tablets here, yes, … no. “This seems to me a not-great way to do business, with very little transparency and very little notice.”
On the yes side, Chair Dave Woodward, a Democrat, … more
CapCon’s top 10 most read stories of 2022
Michigan Capitol Confidential’s Top 10 stories of the year as measured by views
… the ground running at CapCon. His focus is for CapCon to become the watchdog of Michigan’s government and ensuring that it serves the people with transparency and accountability.
CapCon has covered important topics exposing corruption, government ineptness and frivolous spending of taxpayer dollars. … more
Court rules against transparency in Rochester schools FOIA case
Mackinac Center Legal Foundation will appeal; district said it didn’t have teaching materials for a semester-long class
An Oakland County Circuit Court ruling in a lawsuit involving the Rochester Community Schools District could mean less government transparency.
Carol Beth Litkouhi, parent of a student in the school system, used the Freedom of Information Act to ask district officials for the curriculum used in a class … more
FOIA exemptions for Michigan governor, lawmakers breed distrust
Transparency demands that FOIA apply to the governor and the legislature
… message, even if asked in a FOIA request.
Lack of transparency breeds distrust. Distrust produces speculation, … she declared she would work to ensure full transparency in state government.
That never happened. … about the confusion that comes from a lack of transparency:
This lack of information is surprising, because … more
Pork Friday: Lawmakers give grants but are unwilling to explain them
Elected officials, grant recipients, are silent on the taxpayer funds.
… statement required by the IRS, and available as a public record.
Want to search IRS 990 forms, for non-profits you know? Go here.
The lack of transparency in the state’s budget process is made more obvious when taxpayer dollars are awarded to an organization that’s hard to reach, such as The National … more
Federal drug pricing program drives up drug prices
A bill in Michigan may make transparency harder in the 340B program
Michigan Department of Education tells teachers it’s OK to hide pronouns from parents
A teacher at Traverse City Public Schools uses gender preference forms as an icebreaker. Why?
… matter within the district. An isolated incident that has been addressed has not risen to the level of needing to bring the matter to the TCAPS Transparency community.
Individual grievances are best handled by going to the teacher, principal, and superintendent. As I’ve discussed with Sally, more evidence … more
You want unity in Michigan? Find it on the debate stage
Transparency demands a battle of ideas in a public forum, not dueling campaign rallies
Students at Michigan colleges receive varying state support
UM-Ann Arbor gets $13,000 per in-state student; Oakland University gets about $10,000 less
… Robinson, president of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, says not having a formula can lead to problems. Among them is a lack of transparency.
“It is definitely better to have a transparent, predictable formula than for appropriations to be at the discretion of the legislatures,” Robinson … more
Michigan government lacking in transparency
The Mackinac Center supports the right of the people to know what their governments are doing
… the states for government transparency in 2015, according to the … to take action to ensure transparency, from the moment they take … have taken up the cause of transparency. We believe in shedding … when they rebuff calls for transparency. We have been won judgements … Whitmer fought hard against transparency.
Whitmer was never less … more
Grand Blanc schools: Cameras in classrooms would violate student privacy
School cellphone policies will be more strictly enforced as parents call for more classroom access
… district to place cameras in classrooms, or to allow students to use cellphones during class time. Advocates of the move say it would increase school transparency.
An attorney for the school district, however, said classroom cameras would run afoul of student privacy rights. “If a camera is in the classroom, … more
East China school board selects new member in private, out of public view
Candidates were spirited out of emergency exits, parent says
… Treadaway said. “Six of the candidates were local parents, concerned about transparency issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Treadaway said that after all … years, we’ve pulled our daughters from the local district. We asked for transparency and communication during the pandemic about how and what schools were … more
State of Michigan plays peek-a-boo, redacting publicly available document
Now you see them, now you don't
… whether these redactions were legally permissible, but it is clear is that public bodies are not applying FOIA in a way that encourages openness and transparency.”
Whitmer’s office did not respond to an email seeking comment.
Under the prevailing wage requirement, which the Legislature repealed in 2018, … more
How Michigan can have term limits and lifetime service
A modest proposal to bring the best of both worlds to Lansing
… term limits law by allowing four House terms and three Senate terms, up from the current three and two.
As a sweetener, the proposal carries a transparency measure, which is that lawmakers “must file annual financial disclosure reports on their income, assets, liabilities, gifts from lobbyists, positions … more
Michigan Legislature gave cover to GM, MEDC on tax credits
Transparency is Mackinac work. How the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation spoke up in favor of the public’s right to know.
Rochester school district under fire over transparency
Teachers union tried to interfere with FOIA responses
Legislature considers reining in emergency powers
Slate of House bills would impose time limits, transparency and legislative oversight
… power and too little accountability.
Alexander’s legislative package, House bills 6184 - 6214, would curb the abuses by providing time limits, transparency, legislative oversight, and other limits on executive and departmental powers during an emergency.
“Our plan applies lessons learned regarding … more
Schools, Agencies Use Prohibitive Charges To Shut Down Access To Public Records
People's right to know dies in swarms of government lawyers
… But the district’s response revealed the extent to which school districts and other units of government have made the law’s promise of government transparency increasingly a dead letter — at least for regular people who lack deep pockets.
Local governments have become creative about prohibitively inflating … more
Detroit Schools’ Big Spending Trend Rides COVID Money Spike, Likely Requires Enrollment Spike To Sustain
Superintendent’s bet on more and higher-paid staff in the balance
… concerned about keeping its long-term budget balanced,” Vitti responded in an email. “Balancing budgets is a simple focus of priorities, strategy, transparency, and fiscal discipline and knowledge. All of which this elected board, superintendent, and CFO has demonstrated. Your self-fulfilling prophecy … more
Amid Ongoing Mismanagement, Flint Schools Get $51,000 Per Student From Feds
District pins (latest) audit problems on staff turnover
… accounting records.”
When asked about the issues, an official replied in a written response:
“At Flint Community Schools, we are committed to transparency and working alongside our community to determine the best use of funds.”
“The district recently hired a new accountant who started December 2021. … more
Michigan State University Employs Only Three People To Respond to 1,200 Open Records Requests
… State University needs to be more transparent.
“That, to me, is what transparency means: Being accountable, being responsible and communicating as effectively … The Detroit News in 2019.
But some may question MSU’s commitment to transparency, based on how many people the college have devoted to responding to … more
State’s Pursuit of Snyder Emails Could Pierce Officials’ Veil of Attorney-Client Privilege
‘Judge, they don’t have the right to privacy in state owned email and servers. They simply don’t.’
… employees, saying the information was not subject to the state’s open records law.
U-M lost that lawsuit, but conflicts related to the state’s transparency law continue. The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has filed eight lawsuits in 2021 over governments failing to share public information, as required … more
U-M Says ‘No’ To Open Records Law Payroll Request, Michigan Court Of Claims Says ‘Yes’
Records would indicate if university’s state of emergency pay freeze was real
… Michigan Court of Claims turned back the university’s claim.
Mackinac Center attorney Steve Delie commended the ruling. “Michiganders deserve transparency and responsiveness from our government and the public institutions subsidized with our hard-earned tax dollars,” he said. “We are pleased that … more
City Demands Vacation Renters’ Data; Homeowners Question Its Security And More
‘Their rationale makes no sense’
… requests related to the controversy, noting that such information is not confidential.
In his election campaign, Humphrey promoted “restoring transparency and accountability to City Government.” Yet some homeowners looking for some of that now fear retaliation.
Some property owners looking to participate … more
Bad Information About the Prevailing Wage Abounds
Lawmakers should be skeptical of a recent study
… to be selling its information as robust and defensible scholarship, but then refuses to submit it to full review. It even advertises its alleged transparency (contact us for more!). Yet when asked to provide evidence supporting its assertions, the institute goes silent. It is hard to say why for sure, … more
State Health Department Budget Up 25%, Still Failed To Track COVID Nursing Home Deaths
Blaming taxpayers' ‘chronic underinvestment’ won’t wash this one
… “History will repeat itself unless we learn from this lesson and modernize health data systems, invest in public health departments, and increase data transparency.”
Spending by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, or what the department calls “investment,” has risen steadily over the past … more
University of Michigan Works To Conceal Records It Must Disclose Under Law
… regards to COVID-19 policies.
U-M responded with a cost estimate of about $2,300. Cost estimates in the thousands of dollars serve as a barrier to transparency ,as few private individuals could afford it.
The public documents were not released by U-M until October. U-M would not release some documents … more
Transparency Laws are Designed to Keep the Government Accountable. But do They?
Government has repeatedly resisted the openness requested by the people
… essay series on government transparency to commemorate Sunshine … need for more government transparency. You can view the complete … for government to resist transparency efforts, either by failing … problem with a lack of transparency. Indeed, even those public … government’s attitude is toward transparency. In the past few months, … more
Dodgy Metrics, No Real Accountability At Tax-Funded Tourism Marketing Program
Agency may have good reason to prefer Pure Michigan’s fluff to real transparency
… for us or ask its contractor to do so (although it is required to explain why it is not producing the document). Despite this, in the interest of transparency, our request asked MEDC to provide this information. It was our hope that MEDC would want to provide it to help support its claims of the program … more
State Agencies And Local Governments Get Creative Dodging Open Records Requests
‘Freedom Of Information' law? ... Make Sure You Bring A Lawyer And Checkbook
… requested for five months, despite having cashed the check. In November, the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation sued.
An even larger obstacle to transparency is the fee demanded by units of government as a condition of gaining access to public records.
In 2019, the Mackinac Center requested documents … more
There They Go Again? U-M Looks To Be Dodging Open Records Accountability
Hide the substantive discussions, bury requestors in chitchat and already-published material
… emails are exempt from Michigan’s FOIA law, but email from the University of Michigan is not exempt. The December lawsuit challenges the lack of transparency in the university’s response an open records law request from the Mackinac Center.
In a document request sent to U-M on May 13, the Mackinac Center … more
City Rationing Of Open Records Requests May Be A Legal Stretch
Inkster says it’s a protective measure
… many FOIA requests with Inkster this year, believes the rules changes are aimed at him. Blackwell describes himself as an advocate for government transparency.
He said his FOIA requests in Inkster have focused on a variety of issues. They include the alleged delinquent property taxes owed by the mayor, … more
Flying By The Seat of Our Pants
COVID response suggest there’s no point to planning for pandemics
… answers public officials have given so far.
The fact that public officials routinely deviate from official state plans, coupled with the lack of transparency about the data and considerations that determine current policy choices, leaves Michiganders in the dark about decisions that impact us all. We … more
‘No Way To Cut State Budget’ — Not Even These Items?
Michigan budget director draws a line
… heard nearly every year, but there’s an ironic twist this year. In September, with little public discussion and using a process that offered no transparency, Michigan’s governor and Legislature adopted in rapid fashion a record $61.565 billion state budget (up from $57.784 billion in 2018-19 before … more
MEGA Mistake: Big Corporate Welfare Program Still a Waste
State economic development incentives often don’t result in much development.
… MEGA analysis is that we were forced to work with incentives offered and not necessarily received by companies. The MEGA program has long lacked transparency, despite using public funds, which limited our analysis. Despite the best efforts of some to shed light on the topic, the actual fiscal benefit … more
New Study Shows 21st Century Jobs Fund a Bust
These programs should be repealed and their administrative agencies shut down
… Mackinac Center’s 2016 report found that the program lacked “clear and consistent performance benchmarks” and “did not meet legislative reporting and transparency requirements,” among other items. In 2012 and 2013 the Mackinac Center also catalogued a series of failures that likewise cast doubt on the programs’ … more
Jobs Program Creates Jobs at Killer Cost
MBDP resources should go to higher priorities
… administration of Gov. Rick Snyder and was designed to replace the failed Michigan Economic Growth Authority incentive program. While it improved on MEGA’s transparency and offered smaller incentives, we believe the preponderance of evidence shows the program is ineffective.
For our first examination, we tracked … more
Completing the Fix for Police Accountability
We must adopt a comprehensive approach to police reform
… bring in subject-matter experience and advisers to conduct a thorough review of how the contract can be restructured to provide greater community transparency and more flexibility for true reform,” he said.
In Michigan, we are not so fortunately situated, as the current police contracts in Detroit, Grand … more
Locked-Down Gym Owner To Governor: ‘We Are Not Just Businesses, We Are People’
She doesn’t want to break the law but does want government transparency
…
Carroll admitted that she is “on the verge of breaking.” She wrote, “I do NOT want to go against government orders,” but does want government transparency.
“I want a reopen date and a plan that I can prepare for,” she wrote. “I want guidance on how I can operate my business in the new normal, within … more
Gov. Whitmer’s Latest Plan Lacks Detail
The public remains mostly in the dark
… There will always be some natural limitation to what the public can know and how fast they can know it, but Michiganders have a right to meaningful transparency from their elected officials, even in times of emergency. more
A Michigan Law Rations The Number Of Hospital Beds
Hospital execs love it, but it doesn't help patients and probably conflicts with anti-trust law
… the 1970s, under a promise that they would reduce health care costs.
Christina Sandefur wrote the new paper for the Mercatus Center’s Regulatory Transparency Project and found that whatever benefits these laws may have, they haven’t been flowing to patients or taxpayers.
“Instead, the primary beneficiaries … more
Reporting or Promoting?
Why transparency of business subsidy programs shouldn’t be controlled by administrators
… Legislature needs to demand more transparency.
The biggest problem is that, … improve their economic development transparency but ranked states based on what … subsidy deals. But Illinois’s transparency comes not from the programs’ administrators, … efforts. But taxpayers deserve transparency over the programs, and that requires … more
Prevailing Wage Repeal Critiques: Cookie Cutter Criticism
New reviews should be treated with caution
… After all, 18 months of data will be available soon for another Indiana-style assessment. Barring an improvement in the quality, or at minimum the transparency, of MEPI’s analysis, a new Michigan-specific review should be treated with caution. more
MEDC Testimony a Reminder That More Transparency is Needed
New legislation would make the MEDC more transparent and accountable
… why the MEDC needs more transparency and accountability. The … materialize.
This is why the transparency and accountability bill … to “ensure that there is transparency in the way that our funds … questions about the MEDC’s transparency and its programs’ effectiveness … statutes that limit public transparency of MEGA tax credit information.” … more
A Teacher Union Fact Check on School Choice
Nearly everything you read is wrong
… of quality, accountability or transparency in the communities where they operate. … of quality, accountability and transparency.”
According to a 2019 report, … be held accountable to the same transparency and quality standards that apply … demonstrate the accountability and transparency they owe Michigan students and … more
Bill To Increase State Transparency Could Reduce It
Wouldn’t be first time the legislative process worked against open government
… pension records are public information. Period.”
Withholding information from the public about government spending is akin to slamming the door on transparency and accountability, he said.
“Redacting names from the public employee salary file guts the ability of citizens, journalists, challengers to the … more
Michigan Lawmakers on Pace for the Smallest Increase in Business Subsidies
Legislators reduced some corporate welfare spending
… been authorized to receive more. And what any company collects is considered confidential by the state, which is a travesty of basic government transparency and ought to be changed.
All told, just $71 million has been approved in business subsidies in 2019. If that trend continues in 2020, the 2019-20 … more
How Did Detroit Schools Spend $286,596 On LA Conference?
Answer awaits district’s overdue response to open records law request
… Schools Community District sent the staff of its Office of Strategy to a six-day conference in Los Angeles at a cost of $286,596.
Under a spending transparency requirement lawmakers added to the school aid act in 2009, school districts must publish such expenses on their websites.
Other travel expense … more
Senate Bill Revitalizes Skepticism about Corporate Handouts
Policymakers and the public should question undisclosed expenses
… bulk of the payments, though. They each received massive agreements to retain jobs in the state. But it’s tough, without the most basic level of transparency, to confirm this point.
Consider that over the past five years, these companies have earned $64.9 billion in profit and collected an estimated … more
Despite New Law, Some Cities Digging Deeper Pension Holes
Most towns making progress, but not Flint, Hamtramck, Eastpointe and Mt. Morris
… the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System of Michigan, which oversees more than 700 pension systems. She said legislative reforms have increased transparency and discipline by pension fund managers.
“We look at the progress of a plan over time,” Mausolf said. “It’s clear that many actions have been … more
Auto Insurance Reform's Biggest Winners: The Working Poor
Excessive insurance rates hurt struggling families most of all
… He added that high rates also result from systemic abuses of the system, including ambulance-chasing; a lack of fee schedules, which eliminates transparency; and fraudulent claims.
Rivera said he’s extremely optimistic about the auto insurance reforms recently signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. … more
DTE Donated More Than $840,000 to Democrats, Pro-Whitmer Groups in 2018
Consumers Energy was also heavily involved in politicking
… energy regulators reflects poorly on the state’s climate for political transparency.
“The fact that we’re finding out that a highly regulated business … document is indicative of why we’re rated 50th out of all 50 states for transparency and accountability,” Mauger said.
Consumers Energy, Michigan’s other … more
Analysis of the D.R.I.V.E. Alternative on No-Fault Reform
Proposal would increase lawsuits, incentivize fraud and drive insurers out of state
… D.R.I.V.E. proposal does share some similarities with previously introduced plans in that it would establish an anti-fraud unit and require more transparency of the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association. These are good ideas and could result in savings for drivers, eventually. But there’s no way that … more
Billions In Michigan Taxpayer Dollars Flowing To Big 3
Shhhhh! State officials refuse to reveal how much
… company gets. It says the information is confidential under the same law that bans the state from releasing individual tax returns.
“This is a transparency problem,” said James Hohman, the director of fiscal policy for the Mackinac Center who did the analysis. “Your money is going to these companies … more
Unnecessary Regulations Prevent People From Working
New report shows licensing reduces the supply of workers by 20 percent
… occupational licenses could soon get an overhaul from a package of bills recently introduced in the Legislature. The bills would impose greater transparency requirements on licensing authorities and prevent them from denying a license for a past criminal offense not directly related to the field of … more
Bills Make Criminal Record Less Of A Bar To Occupational Licenses
‘An important step towards reducing crime and enhancing public safety,’ one advocate says
… occupational licenses could soon get an overhaul from a package of bills recently introduced in the Legislature. The bills would impose greater transparency requirements on licensing authorities and prevent them from denying a license for a past criminal offense not directly related to the field of … more
Legislative Open Records Bills Overcome Constitutional Hiccup
Other legislatures figured out separation of powers glitch, Michigan’s may be about to also
… direction,” McGraw said.
According to McGraw, residents and journalists sometimes have trouble getting information through FOIA requests, and proper transparency is important to an effective democracy.
The legislation now moves to the Senate Oversight Committee, which is chaired by Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan. … more
Time for a Full and Independent Review of Climate Science
Signing onto a letter supporting the President’s Commission on Climate Security
… Assessment and other official reports relating to climate and its implications for national security. Its deliberations would be subject to the transparency requirements of the Federal Advisory Committees Act.
In our view, an independent review of these reports is long overdue. Serious problems and … more
Forfeiture Laws Take Aim at Major Drug Dealers But Hit Poor Most Often
New reforms would help
… to claim it.
Stevenson did go on to say the transparency requirements for forfeiture are good and provide oversight. That’s true, and transparency shows how forfeiture is actually used and abused … negative effect on those efforts.
Thanks to transparency requirements that went into effect in 2017, … more
Striking a Balance on Environmental Regulations
'No more stringent' will benefit Michigan
… businesses compete, protecting Michigan’s environment and promoting transparency in state government. For nearly 14 years, the Mackinac Center has encouraged … regulation, while still protecting Michigan’s businesses, and promoting transparency in the regulatory decisions made by state agencies.
Once again, it … more
Deep-Pocketed Michigan Foundations Fund News Outlets
Big-money foundations are bankrolling media to cover their activism
… Einhorn, Chalkbeat’s Detroit bureau chief. “The only difference is that when we do mention Skillman, we include a disclosure since we believe that transparency is important.”
Natalie Fotias, a communications manager with the Skillman Foundation, said that it has never swayed Chalkbeat’s story coverage, … more
Will Michigan Follow California’s Lead In Redistricting?
Voters will decide who should draw political districts
… stake.”
Proposal 2 backers say the ballot measure will increase the transparency of the redistricting process. The proposal requires the commission to … meetings.”
The Freedom Fund said in its video that instead of bringing transparency, Proposal 2 would reduce political accountability.
“You won’t be able … more
FCC Chairman Denounces State, Local Obstacles To Faster Internet
‘You need to have a consistent policy ... at the federal level’
… effects of these regulations were holding back investment and innovation in networks.”
Pai added that the commission acted correctly to institute a transparency rule that requires internet service providers to make clear their business practices.
The FCC chairman said he believes implementing net neutrality … more
Legislator ‘Stunned’ By End Of Film Subsidies, Knocks Other Corporate Handouts She Approved
Democrat voted for $1.2 billion in 'huge tax breaks and sweetheart incentives'
… to have never once voted against taxpayer handouts to a corporation or developer. But she has voted against scaling back or even requiring more transparency for these subsidies.
According to one recent voting record analysis by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Love has approved at $1.2 billion … more
Northern Michigan Explains Why It Wanted $4,600 For Names And Salaries Of All Its Employees
… fulfill.
NMU Spokesman Derek Hall provided this response:
The first document request on July 24 was granted, in part, through the Public Act 108 transparency website with salaries and titles. NMU complies with all state reporting requirements through this site. The second document request for names attached … more
NMU Wants $4,600 to Look Up and Send Salary Data
It's online at U of M; in new state budget, Northern Michigan University gets $47,998,400
… collect public data.
"Reviewing government spending is only available for wealthy citizens?" Andrzejewski said in an email. "Charging these fees - transparency taxes - is a direct assault on the First Amendment. Without government spending data and information, the citizen’s ability to review basic government … more
No Charge, No Conviction — But 956 People Still Lose Stuff To Cops
Michigan releases 2017 civil asset forfeiture report
… progress over the past few years to do a better job protecting innocent people from forfeiture, by raising the standard of evidence and increasing transparency. But as this report shows, there’s a lot of work to do. More than 3,500 people in Michigan had the government take ownership of their property … more
Earmarks For Key Legislators Recall Late ’90s Spending Blowouts
Not quite the ‘Christmas tree’ budgets of yore, but trending that way
… million in state taxpayer funds. The money was appropriated without public discussion or scrutiny by means of an earmarking process that lacks transparency. The process makes it more likely that higher-ranking legislators can have their pet projects approved, by subjecting them to a single up-or-down … more
Flint Water Whistleblower, Mackinac Center Sue Wayne State Over Records Denials
Virginia Tech professor among first to raise questions, challenging Wayne State prof’s actions on crisis
… government accountable comes from FOIAs. When a government institution refuses to grant that information, they are standing in the way of complete transparency.”
Edwards was one of the first scientists to call attention to the elevated lead levels in Flint’s water after being contacted by Flint resident … more
Recent Corruption Scandals Involving Some of Michigan’s Largest Unions
Embezzlement, financial malpractice plague unions
… the auto industry, the 10 largest unions in Michigan that file federal transparency reports have had a net loss of 137,000 members, or 33 percent of their … Center for Public Policy has published a study on bringing financial transparency to public sector unions, where questions often arise about spending … more
A Look At The State Budget for Business Subsidies
Old ideas get new taxpayer cash
… budgeted programs, however, can be disclosed and that’s a good thing for transparency’s sake. But lawmakers ought to clarify that residents can be told about … Century Jobs Fund programs, though it will likely still fail to meet transparency requirements of law and good governance. Both the 21st Century Jobs … more
What Michigan Government Lacks in Transparency
Billions in business subsidies still can’t be disclosed
… subsidy payments. The state makes available a treasure trove of information on most of its spending, but mum’s the word when it comes to providing transparency on this “economic development” money.
From 1995 to 2011, state economic development officials selected several hundred businesses to get tax credits … more
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