Michigan’s 108 state representatives sent a powerful message on Thursday, March 16 by passing the Legislative Open Records Act unanimously. To approve this legislation during National Sunshine Week reflects the commitment and interest these elected officials have in open and
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State news media push Senate to approve FOIA expansion
The drumbeat pushing the state Senate to approve the Legislative Open Records Act has begun. One of the opening salvos came from Mlive.com in an editorial headlined: “State Senate needs to heed House’s call for a more transparent government”. Michigan
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House passes Legislative Open Records Act
Michigan’s House of Representative on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed the Legislative Open Records Act that amends and expands the state’s FOIA to correct omissions that have made Michigan an outlier among other states across the nation. Under the proposed legislation (HB
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House introduces 10 bills to include legislators in amended FOIA
Celebrating FOI day, 37 Republic and Democratic state house members Wednesday introduced 10 bills to amend the state’s FOI law, expanding it to include the Legislative branch. A 1988 state Attorney General’s Opinion had exempted the Legislature. HB 5469-5478 would
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HB 4182 would close loophole in OMA
The Michigan House is considering a bill that would make one important changes to the state Open Meetings Act (OMA). HB 4182 would require council members, trustees and other members of a public body to be physically present to vote.
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Senate Majority leader blocks FOI bill
Lame duck Senate majority leader Republican Randy Richardville seems determined to block public access to the people’s governments by refusing to bring HB 4001 for a vote in his Governmental Affairs Committee and to the Senate floor. It is a
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Monroe Evening News joins push for FOIA bill
Kudos to the editor and publisher of the Monroe Evening News for editorially supporting HB 4001 currently stalled in the Senate Government Operations Committee, chaired by Republican Senator Randy Richardville, the Majority Leader and Monroe’s elected state senator. The editorial,
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Holland Sentinel urges aproval of HB 4001
Kudos to the Editorial Board of the Holland Sentinel for its strong, persuasive editorial in support of HB 4001 urging the State Senate to move this bill out of committee and approve it. The editorial was headlined: Our View: Don’t let bill to improve
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Improved FOIA bill blocked in Senate
In the nearly 40 years since Michigan’s legislature passed the Freedom of Information law (FOIA), that belief and practice of open access to the workings of government is challenged again with loopholes, laws, foot dragging and excuses that deliberately thwart
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No clear outcome in Monday’s meeting on court access, fees in proposed e-filing bills
Court transparency and accountability were among the concerns raised at Monday’s meeting with State Court Administrator Chad Schmucker along with counsel Anne Boomer. MiCOG and other interested groups attended a 75 minute meeting set up by Flint private investigator Patrick
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