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
Jobs Department’s Fake News: $10 Tax return for Every $1 in Subsidies
Program lacks transparency, too
… majority did not help a jurisdiction’s economy.
The MBDP also lacks transparency. In its fiscal year 2016 annual report, the program’s administrators … lawmakers should call on them to justify their claims. People deserve transparency, not unjustified boasts about the results of favored programs. 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
Three Cheers for Michigan House Democrats
Questioning MEDC transparency is the right thing to do
… complained about the lack of transparency at Michigan’s department … troubled by the MEDC's lack of transparency and accountability. State … with the MEDC's lack of transparency.
In a November 2012 Michigan … “MEDC Questioned About Its Transparency” Rep. Shirkey reported … to complain about MEDC transparency, or in recent years. Sen. … more
State's Corporate Welfare Agency Tone Deaf to Requests for Transparency
MEDC treats transparency 'as an annoyance'
Making transparency a condition for receiving selective state … to provide much-needed transparency at the MEDC, companies … rights to provide public transparency concerning the agreement?” … MEDC has treated basic transparency as an annoyance rather … on the agency’s lack of transparency, an issue brought to the … more
Civil Asset Forfeiture Laws Need Reform
Transparency, rule of law should be the focus
… House Bill 5081, which was passed out of the House Oversight Committee last June. It now sits on the House floor. This bill would provide more transparency for the assets seized — something extremely important because law enforcement agencies use seized assets to supplement their budgets.
There are … 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
How CapCon Uses Transparency Laws to Hold Government Accountable
… maintains a website that rates the transparency of state and local governments, … government scrutiny.
Government transparency laws are an important component … organization that favors greater transparency in government. We receive no government …
Politician Who Attacked Government Transparency Groups Gets 'Bitten Back' more
Political Reasons, Not Economic Ones, Keep Corporate Welfare Agency Alive
'Transparency' sidesteps real issue (but still worth pursuing)
… bother trying to inject transparency into the operations of … guessing game, because “transparency” as practiced by MEDC largely … the calls for meaningful transparency, which may seem like reaching … tree.
Establishing real transparency standards could be of enduring … makes sense to focus on transparency. If the agency is going … 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
Cheers for Detroit Schools Transparency
District has come a long way
… subject to FOIA. Most are pretty good at responding to requests, especially with recent legislative changes requiring them to name someone as a transparency officer. I’m happy to add Detroit Public Schools Community District to the list of government entities that strive to serve taxpayers and residents … more
Michigan Rep: 102nd Legislature is off to a rocky start
Michigan lawmaker bemoans lack of debate, regular order and transparency at Capitol
It's Time to Expand Public Records Transparency
Reitz discusses Flint water crisis on Michigan Radio
… edition of Stateside on Michigan Radio to discuss the need for more transparency in government in light of what is happening in Flint.
“The justification … governor’s office and state legislature are exempt from this public records transparency law. Reitz explained it is time to change this standard:
We think generally … more
Whitmer commission to grow Michigan starts work at undisclosed location
Advisory board disregards transparency in favor of secrecy
FOIA Reform Legislation Languishes in Senate
Senate leaders quiet about bill to improve government transparency
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
Why Mackinac Published Names and Wages of Government Workers in a Searchable Database
The information belongs to the people
… more and more government info to be made universally accessible. It's a factor of technology and related social expectation. In other words, more transparency is coming whether anyone likes it or not and if responsible people don't take charge of it, then irresponsible ones will.
Working with government … 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
Benefits of Switch Data Center Likely to be Exaggerated, Unverified
Transparency would end speculation on effects of tax exemption deal — and the deal itself
… routinely subject to meaningful public transparency, there might be a good chance of … routinely subject to meaningful public transparency, it’s likely the entire issue wouldn’t … long-standing failure to provide transparency regarding special deals of the … involved — to provide adequate transparency, there is no reason to expect it. … more
HONEST Act – EPA Science and Transparency
This should be ‘science 101’
… effort by Congress to impose transparency on the EPA. The Secret … and lawsuits, to force transparency on the agency.
The institute’s … of the advisory board.
Transparency in this area is absolutely … track record of calling for transparency from all levels of government … will bemoan demands for transparency in EPA science and peer-review … 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
MEDC Questioned About Its Transparency
Questions about how tax dollars spent could warrant new legislation
… website also has a section on transparency, but Rep. Genetski and … in its apparent lack of transparency.
"It seems like when they … of Gov. John Engler and transparency questions existed then. … Granholm, questions of transparency at MEDC reached a zenith. … office, it was aware of the transparency issues at the MEDC. A key … more
After Veto, Gov. Snyder's Commitment To Transparency Questioned
Governor vetoed bill passed unanimously by the Legislature
… Michigan a national leader in transparency and ethics."
Considering … Snyder's commitment to transparency, his veto of House Bill … Republicans believe in transparency," Rep. LeBlanc said. "The … bill's aims of openness and transparency in government, it violates … Records
How CapCon Uses Transparency Laws to Hold Government … more
Multiple School Districts Breaking the Law On Transparency
Schools are required to post contracts, compensation information online
…
Inkster Public Schools in Wayne County had no transparency icon on its website and was missing most of …
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See also:
Michigan Capitol Confidential Transparency Coverage
How CapCon Uses Transparency Laws To Hold Government Accountable more
State Checkbook Still Missing From Internet (revised version)
State rejects transparency despite minimal cost
… Information Age places such transparency within our grasp, a detailed … "Show Michigan the Money" transparency project (www.mackinac.org/10694.) … annually to keep this whole transparency project running.
These … the "gold standard" of transparency set by Missouri (a state … Show Michigan the Money transparency project and the senior … 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
Q&A With the MEDC: Verifying Jobs Resulting From Special Government Favors
State Reps call for greater transparency or elimination of program
… to assure a greater degree of transparency at the MEDC.
"Clearly, as the … there is a significant lack of transparency at MEDC," Rep. Switalski said. … serves to show that there was no transparency and no accountability, but it brings … $100K
Pressure Mounting For MEDC Transparency
A Bipartisan Disaster: Michigan … 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
The MEDC’s Pure Michigan Puffery: Part II
Reforms could make agency more credible
… economic development agency, has come under criticism for its lack of transparency, which most recently was exhibited in a claim that its Pure Michigan … seriously then they must overhaul the agency’s culture into one of authentic transparency and intellectual forthrightness. Whether they want to do that or not, … more
'Secretive Obama Administration' Official to Kick Off Event on Transparency
Legal scholar says Attorney General Holder's participation in Wayne State event is 'the height of hypocrisy'
… complicate the discussion on the transparency of a presidential administration. … lot of good things in terms of transparency, but some of the worst have been … often been a bigger barrier to transparency than enabling it. Obama's DOJ has … asked to speak at an event about transparency.
"I think it is the height of … 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
‘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
Lawmakers Poised To Continue Corporate Welfare Fund
Program track record includes inaccurate job creation claims, little transparency
… does provide additional transparency. We will continue to work … going but with greater transparency. That part of the legislation … potential to provide greater transparency, although in its initial … it would provide greater transparency.
In the fall of 2013, … Bill 4480, the so-called transparency bill in the package, was … more
House Panel Likely to Approve FOIA Reforms
Legislation designed to rein in unjustified fees, increase government transparency
… a modernization of the FOIA law that focuses on standardization and transparency," said Rep. Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, the bill's sponsor. "The bill … respond to a request for comment.
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See also:
How CapCon Uses Transparency Laws To Hold Government Accountable
Government Entities Stymie FOIA … more
How to Improve Economic Development Transparency
State considers changes to economic development disclosure
The state is looking to improve its transparency and is targeting its economic development reports, according to MIRS, a Lansing-insider newsletter. … welfare deals are questionable in their effectiveness, but the lack of transparency about them is outrageous. Although this information used to be made … 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
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
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
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
Federal drug pricing program drives up drug prices
A bill in Michigan may make transparency harder in the 340B program
Holding Legislators Accountable
… government. Two pillars upon which a representative democracy rests are transparency and accountability; the current regulatory regime erodes both.
It is … the outcome by holding elected officials accountable. HB 4326 enhances transparency and accountability in government by vesting important regulatory decisions … more
What Economic Development Transparency Should Look Like
… other "legacy" corporate welfare programs must provide much greater transparency.
Taxpayers should be able to see what they've gotten for the special … economic development programs, legislators need to insist on some basic transparency principles. That's just common sense.
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James Hohman is assistant … more
As Conventional Public Schools Fail Transparency Law, Charters are Targeted
Pontiac Public Schools posts teachers' contract that expired in 2011
… District isn’t alone in this transparency failure. Yet in some precincts … called out for supposed transparency shortfalls that are common … following the state law’s transparency requirements. Roberts didn’t … public schools had followed transparency requirements.
“Pontiac … mention its failure to follow transparency laws. In comparison, the … more
U-M Refuses to Disclose Its President's Politicking
… the documents on March 2, 2017 — the day it filed the lawsuit and 106 days after it first filed its request.
“On the eve of Sunshine Week, when transparency in government is celebrated and promoted, this situation with U of M shows that we have a long way to go in educating public officials about accountability … more
Idaho Lawmakers Embrace Open Meetings, Michigan Still Waiting for Transparency
New law may be "the best in the nation"
… passed a bill to increase transparency in collective bargaining. …
When it comes to Michigan transparency on unions and collective … study Bringing Financial Transparency to Michigan's Public Sector … provide the same detailed transparency for finances as their private … government union financial transparency they may also want to consider … 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
Prop 2 May Put FOIA on Ice for Media, Others
… a sometimes thorny relationship with open records laws. For example, even Gov. Rick Snyder — who campaigned on a platform of greater government transparency — recently vetoed legislation passed unanimously by the Legislature that required internet posting of agreements made between different units of … more
New Bill Would Shed Light On Asset Forfeiture In Michigan
Bipartisan House bill would bring transparency to law enforcement seizing property without criminal charges
… model legislation on asset forfeiture bills that would greatly enhance transparency. Cara Sullivan, director of the Justice Performance Project with the … the circumstances under which property is seized increase government transparency and accountability."
The IJ's McGrath said "forfeiture proceeds are … more
Pressure Mounting For MEDC Transparency
House Democrats call for scrutiny of corporate welfare programs; accountability for tax dollars
Those who want to bring transparency to the Michigan Economic … criticized for a lack of transparency.
House Democrats are … Democrats want more than transparency; they want provisions to … a bill that would bring transparency to the MEDC. Initially, … more than a pretense of transparency promoted by MEDC officials. … more
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