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'CON Laws' Limit the Health Care Competition Biden Aims to Deliver

States should eliminate these laws

… or's Note: This article was first published in The Hill on July 24, 2021. Americans have had a shared frustration for decades with the lack of transparency and ever-increasing costs in health care. Count me among them. In April, my wife and I welcomed our first child into the world. It was a wonderful …

Honoring the Legacy of Radio Giant Frank Beckmann

Mackinac Center Establishes Frank Beckmann Center for Journalism

… also launching new programs to train the next generation of free-market journalists. Lastly, the new Center will renew our emphasis on government transparency through public records requests and databases. There has never been a greater need for high- quality, independent journalism that supports the principles …

The ‘most pro-union president’ ever has been a dud for workers

Union membership drops as Biden pushes organized labor wish list

… members to the federal labor regulator and fired the general counsel who was likely to resist pro-Big Labor mandates. Biden also rolled back federal transparency requirements for unions, making it harder for workers considering a union to find out how, exactly, their dues money is being spent. And he has …

Michigan Must Close Asset Forfeiture Loophole

Abuse in Highland Park illustrates need for reform

… decades, the Mackinac Center has worked to reform Michigan’s civil asset forfeiture laws. This work helped pass a series of reforms, including transparency requirements for all forfeited cash and property, eliminating an upfront bond requirement and requiring a criminal conviction prior to forfeiture, …

Michigan Must Close Asset Forfeiture Loophole

Abuse in Highland Park illustrates need for reform

… decades, the Mackinac Center has worked to reform Michigan’s civil asset forfeiture laws. This work helped pass a series of reforms, including transparency requirements for all forfeited cash and property, eliminating an upfront bond requirement and requiring a criminal conviction prior to forfeiture, …

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 …

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 …

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, …

‘There’s a tax break industrial complex that’s got everybody hornswoggled’

Greg LeRoy lays out the Overton Window on selective business subsidies

… in public policy-making bodies, and adhere to this lockstep dogma that tax breaks create jobs,” he says. LeRoy’s theory is that bringing more transparency to the issue will get the public to oppose special favors. “We’ve been pushing disclosure,” he says. “We think that no matter where you’re coming …

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 …

Effects of Personal Financial Disclosures

… difference among states based on the reasons that compelled them to put disclosure data online. States that do so in an attempt to improve services and transparency for the public had more corruption referrals than states that did the same in response to corruption scandals. Proposal 1 could be seen as a desire …

‘Scaffolding for Plunder’

Michigan government runs roughshod

… to acquire information that might illuminate its failures. It even keeps its offers of taxpayer cash secret by using non-disclosure agreements. Transparency might otherwise open it up to damning criticism and threaten elites’ financial and political gravy trains. And this is just in one area where …

Mackinac Center’s Workers for Opportunity Wins Important National Victories

… protected from having schools take money out of their paychecks without permission. In addition to protecting Florida’s taxpayers, the law bolsters transparency requirements for unions and increases their accountability. Unions will have to submit audited financial statements to state officials, making …

“No-more-stringent” Requirements Protect Michigan Businesses

Senate Energy and Environment Committee

… of 2018 “is in its recognition of the value of reasonable environmental regulation, while still protecting Michigan’s businesses, and promoting transparency in the regulatory decisions made by state agencies.” Legislators should recognize that repealing the “no-more-stringent” requirements by passing …

Executive Summary

… thousands in court. Excessive fees, inappropriate delays and broad redactions are not the only problems preventing FOIA from providing meaningful transparency. Over the years, numerous amendments and legal interpretations have created several loopholes in the law.[‡] Lawyers and FOIA experts can navigate …

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 …

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST January 13, 2009

… Education Digest. Kenneth Braun, director of the Mackinac Center's Transparency Project, told The News he had been particularly concerned with Chippewa … Jan. 13, 2009 FURTHER READING: Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Transparency Project Director Asks Macomb County School Districts to Publish their …

Bouchard 'Would Not Hesitate' to End State's Economic Central Planning Agency

… of the process instead. He also advocates stronger accountability and transparency in the process of awarding tax credits. George, Dillon and Bernero … THE MOST DANGEROUS VOICE IN THE HOUSE? MEDC needs accountability, transparency - Livingston Daily Editorial MEDC outdoes fiasco - Traverse City Record-Eagle …

“Carry On”

… is publicly promoting legislation with a very laudable goal - total transparency of state government spending, which is also one of the Mackinac Center's … school choice, voluntary unionism, private property rights, government transparency, and the quaint notion that taxes should only be used to pay for essential …

Literature Review and Analysis

… prohibitively difficult. Yet the MEDC's Byzantine structure and lack of transparency may not bother many legislators if the MEDC continues to send positive … efforts to improve the economy. Indeed, clear organizational lines, transparency and accountability may hold little political appeal if they serve to …

Commentary (Dozens of items)

… for Public Policy, Feb. 12, 2004 Tax Shots Across the Budget Bow Mr. Michael LaFaive The Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Dec. 1, 2003 Lack of Transparency Complicates State Budget Challenge Mr. Jack McHugh The Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Nov. 11, 2003 Government Cancels Christmas; Civil Society …

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST December 23, 2003

… officials," Dec. 21, 2003 https://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-1/ 1072014780322930.xml Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Greater Transparency Could Have Helped Budget Battlers," December 2003 https://www.mackinac.org/6055 Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "The Six Habits of Fiscally …

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST April 13, 2004

… former Oakland Intermediate School District officials. Rep. Ruth Johnson, R-Holly, is chair of a subcommittee on ISD operations. "People deserve transparency. With public money, you should be accountable to the citizens, to the taxpayers and the parents of these kids," she said. SOURCES: Booth Newspapers, …

Reforming America’s Secret Collectivism: The System of Compelled Union Representation

… amendments covered involuntary political contributions, it did not address the full range of non-workplace related expenditures, or provide the kind of transparency necessary for an employee to discover the full range of expenditures being funded by the dues. Today’s unions were constructed in a bygone era, …

Reforming America’s mandatory representation

… amendments covered involuntary political contributions, it did not address the full range of non-workplace related expenditures, or provide the kind of transparency necessary for an employee to discover the full range of expenditures being funded by the dues. Today’s unions were constructed in a bygone era, …

Special ed parent: ‘We have not had a voice’

Legislation would restore authority to state education board

… They’re just trying to make it through each day with a challenging child. "A lot of parents feel if the power was reverted, there would be more transparency. There would be more people looking at it (the plans)," she said. Neither the Michigan Department of Education nor the state board has adopted …

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST July 1, 2008

… https://www.educationreport.org/2874 RESIDENT CONCERNED ABOUT MESICK CONTRACT RATIFICATION PROCESS MESICK, Mich. — A Mesick man was reportedly "baffled" by the lack of transparency during teacher contract ratification procedures, according to the Cadillac News. Greg Bailey asked for a copy of the contract being voted on at …

Schools show interest in pilot merit pay program

… suggests added compensation ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 per year per individual. Successful merit pay plans have five characteristics, Carr said: transparency, teacher input, significant financial rewards, a collaborative school climate and objective measures of student achievement. Teachers should understand …

Happy 20th Anniversary

… promote openness and accountability in government is especially noteworthy. For example, its ‘Show Michigan the Money' project sets new standards for transparency in government spending through the online posting of detailed financial information. When the Mackinac Center speaks, policymakers, opinion writers …

The Scene and the Unseen: Act I

… as people anticipate — not anticipate, as people are saying. And so, I’d like to wait and have everybody see how it really does work.” Greater transparency from the Film Office might ease a lot of anxiety over the refunds, even within the Film Office itself. Lockwood said, “My estimates based on what …

Remediate Tuition Hikes With Contracting

… load of 15 credits a semester and average class size of 25. The difference between the upper and lower bounds are severe, but the lack of budget transparency in Michigan's public universities makes a more accurate analysis difficult, and with the accounting practices in use it is quite probable that …

The Lowdown

… any — impact targeted tax abatements have on the Michigan economy. Kenneth M. Braun, director of the Mackinac Center's "Show Michigan the Money" transparency project, testified at the invitation of the committee chair, Sen. Nancy Cassis, R-Novi. Braun reiterated the LaFaive and Hicks findings regarding …

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST June 9, 2009

… rates among similar institutions, which suggests that some schools are more effective than their peers, USA Today reported. "We are emphasizing transparency," co-author Mark Schneider said, according to USA Today. "It's one of those little secrets that everybody in the industry knows. We're just trying …

Michigan’s Economic Performance

… spreadsheet information increases the risk that MEDC and MEGA officials will not exercise care in handing out MEGA tax credits. With the current lack of transparency, MEGA officials face the perverse incentive of being able to publicize their successes and hide their failures. If a company receiving a MEGA credit …

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST September 29, 2009

… millions in real estate deals," Sept. 24, 2009  FURTHER READING: Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "DPS Building Scandal Highlights Need for Transparency," Sept. 24, 2009 CHARTER, REFORM ADVOCATES RALLY LANSING, Mich. - Charter public school and education reform advocates gathered at the Capitol …

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST November 3, 2009

… recall the two trustees cite their votes in favor of closing an elementary school and hiring the "most costly" auditor, and their votes against "transparency" issues, The Observer reported. Petitions to recall the officers cite their votes for privatizing custodial services, staff layoffs and the school …

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST December 8, 2009

… The Grand Rapids Press, MEA President Iris Salters said that the union does not oppose more charter schools as long as the state requires greater transparency and accountability from them. The letter also said that using student performance as the sole measure of teacher effectiveness is unfair, and …

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST February 9, 2010

… Ann Arbor Public Schools decided against participating, spokesman Liz Margolis told AnnArbor.com, because of budget considerations and a lack of transparency over how districts came to be named "best schools." SOURCE: AnnArbor.com, "Lincoln pays $25,000 to be named one of the top school districts in …

MichCapCon Profile: The 3rd Congressional District Primary

… governor are not required to reveal this information, and the current governor has refused to do so). Another path-breaking step toward government transparency taken by Amash has been his decision to use his Facebook page to state the reason for every vote that he takes in the Michigan House (see: www.MichCapCon.com/12826). …

MEDC-Endorsed Bet on Horse Track Now Under Investigation by Wayne Co.

… Websites Give History a Rewrite SMALL BUSINESSES VOTE DOWN "GIVE AWAY" PROGRAMS Michigan #1 for Economic Development? MEDC needs accountability, transparency - Livingston Daily Editorial MEDC outdoes fiasco - Traverse City Record-Eagle Ann Arbor.com video: Gov. Granholm defends MEDC tax credits MichCapCon …

Public Salary Database Puts Political Work of State Employee Under Scrutiny

… Washington or Detroit Find Out Who Works for YOU in the Michigan Legislature Sun May Finally Shine on State Pols' Staff Salary Secrets State rejects transparency despite minimal cost Schools Starting to Post Salary Details House Votes to Temporarily Trim Political Staff Benefits

'Schizophrenic' State Planning

Horse racing industry is both victim of state efforts to kill gambling and beneficiary of state efforts to subsidize gambling

… Websites Give History a Rewrite SMALL BUSINESSES VOTE DOWN "GIVE AWAY" PROGRAMS Michigan #1 for Economic Development? MEDC needs accountability, transparency - Livingston Daily Editorial MEDC outdoes fiasco - Traverse City Record-Eagle Ann Arbor.com video: Gov. Granholm defends MEDC tax credits MichCapCon …

An 'Expensive Game' Providing the 'Illusion of Creating Jobs'

State economic development czars trusted the job projections provided by horse race track seeking special tax treatment

… Websites Give History a Rewrite SMALL BUSINESSES VOTE DOWN "GIVE AWAY" PROGRAMS Michigan #1 for Economic Development? MEDC needs accountability, transparency - Livingston Daily Editorial MEDC outdoes fiasco - Traverse City Record-Eagle Ann Arbor.com video: Gov. Granholm defends MEDC tax credits MichCapCon …

Troubles for Track Were Known to State Before It Granted Special Tax Deal

… Websites Give History a Rewrite SMALL BUSINESSES VOTE DOWN "GIVE AWAY" PROGRAMS Michigan #1 for Economic Development? MEDC needs accountability, transparency - Livingston Daily Editorial MEDC outdoes fiasco - Traverse City Record-Eagle Ann Arbor.com video: Gov. Granholm defends MEDC tax credits MichCapCon …

Charging Service Taxes

… hard-hitting video and accompanying essay, LaFaive and Hoekstra publicly raised questions about the deal's finances and the lack of government transparency. The Grand Rapids Press, WOOD radio, WOOD-TV and WWMT-TV all used the Mackinac Center's work as a springboard for their own coverage. (Look for …

'Punching Bag’ Myths Pummeled

… business. But Van Beek's analyses bring such details into the light. The success of these contract analyses is made possible by the Center's ongoing transparency effort. For the last three years, the Mackinac Center has been hosting the state's only publicly available online database of school employee contracts. …

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST November 30, 2010

… District pilots ‘standards-based’ grading Traverse City Puts Bargaining Details Online TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — In a move intended to increase transparency, Traverse City Public Schools will post online the proposals made by the district and its unionized employees during contract talks, according …

Follow-Up MichiganVotes.org Dec. 3 Weekly Roll Call Report

… for it probably begins anew in the 2011 legislative session). Who voted "Yes" and who voted "No" Senate Bill 796, Increase state film subsidy transparency, passed 97 to 2 in the House To increase the disclosure requirements on state film subsidies. The Film Office would have to post twice-yearly online …

Politician Staffs: Your Money, Their Secret

… Washington or Detroit Find Out Who Works for YOU in the Michigan Legislature Sun May Finally Shine on State Pols' Staff Salary Secrets State rejects transparency despite minimal cost Schools Starting to Post Salary Details House Votes to Temporarily Trim Political Staff Benefits

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST April 26, 2011

… the district’s new tests are expected to be more rigorous than the state’s, according to Education Week. Some legislators have called for more transparency in how and why waivers are granted, the article said. SOURCE: Education Week, “Duncan Issues Far More Waivers Than Predecessors,” April 22, 2011 …

MichiganVotes.org May 27 Weekly Roll Call Report

… policy terms of the teacher union's insurance company, competitive bidding on non-instructional services, consolidating some services and more transparency. The budget includes $133 million to cover potential transition costs of a possible school employee pension reform. The bill also appropriates …

Pure Spending — GOP Finds More for Tourism Subsidies

… because of concerns about the information coming from the state agency promoting it. “Old habits die hard,” said Genetski. “I still need to see more transparency out of the MEDC.” But several Republicans voting for the program were convinced that Longwoods got the details right. “I’m very happy that the …

House of Reps. Employee Names and Salaries Posted

… information that the House is legally entitled to hide from public scrutiny. “I am happy that the House Republicans are again taking the lead on transparency,” said Lund. “Soon I hope to introduce my bill that will require the three branches of the state government to open their books to the public.” …

Reactions to Forced Unionization

Tea Party groups call practice 'immoral'

… homes. It provides in-depth training to home healthcare providers and performs thorough background checks to promote safety, accountability and transparency. That's why I've supported this important program for years and continue to do so. The Mackinac Center's attempt to turn the Michigan Quality Community …

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST November 22, 2011

… is being accepted through Dec. 5. The draft proposal and an overview are posted at the MDE website (linked below). SOURCES: Education Week, “Transparency Watch: NCLB Waiver Judges Identified,” Nov. 17, 2011 (Subscription required) Michigan Department of Education, “MDE's Draft Request for ESEA Flexibility” …

Dec. 16 MichiganVotes.org Weekly Roll Call Report

… allowed in 2012 and 500 in 2013 and 2014). The bill would also allow charter schools to operate the same grade levels at multiple sites; create more transparency and conflict of interest regulations for charters; exempt charters from property tax; and more. Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No" Interested …

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST January 31, 2012

… voted, but will not say how many voted for or against the new contract. That omission has led some faculty to try to pressure the union for greater transparency. “This is the kind of sneakiness and secrecy that we expect from the administration, not from our union leaders,” CMU Journalism Professor John …

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST March 6, 2012

… and boards are doing this,” Rep. Richard LeBlanc, D-Westland, who introduced the bill, told the Observer and Eccentric. “We need this (law) for transparency and to speak with those who are making decisions on behalf of others.” Rep. LeBlanc told the Observer and Eccentric he began looking into the …

25 Reforms in 2011

… that include employee health benefit and pension reforms, more competitive bidding of non-core services, consolidating services and increasing transparency. 14. Regulatory permits modestly improved. There may be a bit more “adult supervision” at the Department of Environmental Quality, and laws were …

25 Reforms in 2011

… that include employee health benefit and pension reforms, more competitive bidding of non-core services, consolidating services and increasing transparency. 14. Regulatory permits modestly improved. There may be a bit more “adult supervision” at the Department of Environmental Quality, and laws were …

April 13, 2012, MichiganVotes.org Weekly Roll Call

… on board members travel and training expenses at $150,000 per year, and $30,000 per board member. The bill also proposes specific pension system transparency and conflict of interest provisions. Referred to committee, no further action at this time. House Bill 5454: Ban "photo-cop” traffic tickets Introduced …

June 22, 2012, MichiganVotes.org Weekly Roll Call

… retirement plans (watered-down from requiring that new employees get 401[k] plans rather than "defined benefit" pensions); and adopting specified transparency and accountability measures. Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"   Senate Bill 1085, Project labor ban “re-do”: Passed 63 to 44 in the House …

Gov. Rick Snyder's Performance Dashboards:

Are they driving accountability in Michigan?

… not be able to find fault with this basic fact – namely, that Governor Snyder’s Michigan performance dashboards represent an arresting honesty, transparency and sincerity in the state’s chief executive. Perhaps most importantly, they add confidence in the character of the governor -- which is critical …

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST August 6, 2013

… recall petition language in mid July, AnnArbor.com reports. The petition cites the same reasons for recalling each board member, including a lack of transparency in decision making, and a high rate of turnover of district superintendents, according to AnnArbor.com.   AnnArbor.com reports that the average …

Bill Would Limit Asset Forfeiture In Michigan Without Criminal Conviction

State has been ground zero for money and property seizures

… bill pending in the legislature, House Bill 5081, sponsored by Rep. Tom McMillin, R-Rochester Hills, has bipartisan support and would require more transparency in forfeiture cases. The Michigan State Police did not respond to a request for comment. Kenneth Grabowski, legislative director of the Police …

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST April 29, 2014

… estimated pension losses rise to almost $100,000 if she leaves after nine years of teaching, BEP reports.   BEP suggests that states should improve the transparency and the mobility of teacher pension benefits. According to BEP, teachers should see district contributions to their pension on their paystub, and …

Political Experience Separates Candidates In 98th District House GOP Primary

Gary Glenn vs. Karl Ieuter

… million per year on select business subsidies, needs to be reined in or eliminated. If that doesn't happen, both said they would at least demand more transparency. Glenn added that government should not be "forcing Michigan business owners to compete with new businesses that are subsidized by tax dollars." …

GOP Candidates For Michigan's 80th House District Tackle the Issues

Cindy Gamrat vs. Steve Schulz

… record of standing up for businesses and taxpayers and not special interest groups separates me from the other candidates. I’m a big believer in transparency. I have done nine town halls and I would continue to do those if elected. I would also post all of my votes and explanations on Facebook so people …

War on Charters Tied to Politics and Union Money

… summer to charter schools, stating that they “receive nearly $1 billion per year in taxpayer money from the state, often with little accountability, transparency or academic achievement." The series has been disputed by the Michigan Association of Public School Academies. Charter schools have also been …

A History of Corporate Welfare Failure: Mackinac Center Testimony in the Michigan House

… means a lower likelihood that rigorous analysis of alleged “job creation” abilities would reveal these to be lacking. We recommend the following transparency solutions: Demand that the MEDC or Treasury explain why “administration of a tax” secrecy applies now but not in the past. Require that current …

Leading the Way

State Policy Network Annual Meeting

… VoteSpotter, spoke on “Public Policy in a Mobile-First World,” discussing the exciting capabilities and future of VoteSpotter and similar government transparency apps. Casting Our Message to Connect With the Next Generation Anne Schieber Whenever I speak to a group of people, I try to gauge my audience …

MEDC's Priority: Defend Its Budget

When faced with criticism, it's discredit first, read the critique second

… agency and its hand-picked vendor strive to give the latter’s products a scientific veneer, the combination of implausible assertions and a lack of transparency creates a presumption that its reports are not valid economic research but mere pseudoscience. This presumption is reinforced by Longwoods' business …

State Health Policy Toolkit

10 reforms state lawmakers can implement now

… summary. The full report offers clear explanations of the specific problems we face and how to address them. 1. Establishing Accountability and Transparency in Government Programs Problem: Government programs to expand insurance coverage including the Affordable Care Act have added layers upon layers …

House Republican Policy Plan Lays the Groundwork for Action

Pensions, education, criminal justice all areas ripe for change

… billion dollars out of the general fund this year. The House should hold the line on new proposals, cut back on what we are paying, and require transparency for what’s already on the books. Learn more here and here. Licensing Burdensome regulations unjustifiably complicate people’s everyday lives …

The Mackinac Center's Next 30 Years

… through Freedom of Information Act requests in our basement. These things accumulate over three decades when you're fighting for greater government transparency. As technology has improved, we’ve seen more FOIA requests fulfilled without using paper, but Steve Frick, our manager of information systems, …

Bad Forensic Evidence Sends Innocents To Prison

Never mind what TV shows depict, forensics can be sloppy or misinterpreted

… ACLU before joining the Innocence Project, called for more openness in treating evidence. “A lot of this,” she said, “is really about creating transparency in the system. Evidence goes into the lab, a report comes out, and we really don’t know what happens in between.” The participants at the event …

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, …

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 …

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 …

Michigan Now Requires You to Be Guilty Before Losing Your Property — This is How We Got Here

… ACLU and the National Federation of Independent Business testified with national allies in support of a package of bills. The bills established transparency requirements for every forfeiture taking place in the state and raised the standard of evidence in civil court. In 2013, these bills couldn’t even …

Mackinac Center Policies Play Prominent Role in Michigan’s COVID-19 Health and Economic Recovery Efforts

… decisions are easy, but businesses will be better able to adjust if the government’s expectations of them are clear and follow a predictable logic. Transparency: The law grants the governor extraordinary power during a time of crisis, but that should not diminish the responsibility the government has to …

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 …

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 …

A Full Accounting of Michigan’s COVID-19 Nursing Home Deaths

Michigan House Oversight Committee

… attributed to them, it could significantly increase Michigan’s total number of nursing home deaths. This matters for a number of reasons. From a transparency perspective, the state must provide citizens with an accurate picture of the effects of COVID-19 in Michigan, including who had died and where. …

A Policy Guide to Healthcare

… fewer hospitals offering MRI services, and between 60 and 85 fewer hospitals offering computed tomography (CT) scans. Recommendation: Require more transparency, phase out, and fully repeal CON laws and regulations Ultimately, Michigan should work to fully repeal all its CON laws. Given the entrenched …

Why People Believe In Selective Business Subsidies

It takes a lot to ignore the problems of corporate handouts

… likely wanted special treatment as a little extra bonus. Subsidy supporters may worry that this will scare away an interested company. If basic transparency is enough to end a company’s interest in the state, then the company’s interest was not about competing with other states. It was about getting …

‘If that sounds outrageous and corrupt, it’s because it is’

Pat Garofalo works to prevent lawmakers from signing nondisclosure agreements about business subsidy negotiations

… politicians sign nondisclosure agreements that oblige both parties to keep quiet about negotiations. Pat Garofalo is appalled by this lack of basic transparency. Garofalo directs state and local policy at the American Economic Liberties Project, working with a coalition of groups and lawmakers to outlaw …

Obamacare: "Final Report of Stakeholder Work Group Recommendations"

Text of Michigan Department of Community Health Document

… board and general rules for transparency and procurement processes. … mechanisms for ensuring transparency with regard to the operation … insisting that a commitment to transparency in purchasing and diversity … including flexibility, transparency, and diversity. Vote Tally … widely accepted values of transparency and diversity. Minority …

Appendix A: Model Legislation for Public Sector Union Financial Disclosure Reform

… will capture more transactions and thus provide for a greater level of transparency. The category of ”representational activities” as found on the Form … implementing regulations, and that enactment of legislation providing financial transparency for public employees of this state will bring that same benefit to such …

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST August 3, 2004

… Freedom of Information Act. An earlier decision by a state circuit court found that the MHSAA is a public entity and therefore subject to FOIA's transparency rules. However, a Michigan Court of Appeals ruling overturned the circuit court's finding and was upheld in the Supreme Court case. The case stems …

Provisions of a merit-pay pilot program

… tests should be comparable to those faced by students of core teachers. [**]The formula for compensating teachers involves a trade-off between transparency and complexity. A transparent model that uses straightforward arithmetic to calculate student achievement gains and the consequent teacher awards …

Charter report favorable, state board wants more

… conventional districts statewide. "I think that's a significant statistic that should not be ignored," he said. Turner said that parents have a right to transparency and accountability, too. "At every school in the state of Michigan, parents should be able to walk into the office and pick up an easy-to-read …

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST February 24, 2009

… said they continue to be concerned about the method of choosing charter school board members as well as the school site plan process and spending transparency. A final version of the report, "Public School Academies at a Glance," including recommendations to the Legislature, will go before the state …

The shell game of ‘making AYP’

Study: Michigan sets bar low compared to other states

… law by encouraging different states to use the same assessment test, the authors write. Using a common test would give parents some much-needed transparency on how well their child is doing academically compared to other students nationwide. Coincidentally, two Michigan legislators have proposed a …

MICHIGAN EDUCATION DIGEST July 28, 2009

… August, The Sentinel reported. Jim Wiley, of Douglas, told the school board at a recent meeting that voters were unhappy with the board's lack of transparency and the building of a new baseball field, The Sentinel reported. Other residents question the wisdom of accepting schools-of- choice students …

Executive Summary

… the company's Michigan-related spending exceeds its tax liability. The Michigan Film Office has since stirred controversy through its lack of transparency and through its publication of a distorted impact analysis of the film incentive. While the analysis forthrightly estimated that in 2008 the film …

Newsmaker Friday: Day on the Tea Party Movement

… decided whether to seek re-election this year. "People were really looking for someone to come in and ask the tough questions and provide some transparency about what was going on in the district," she said. Democrats and centrist Republicans have criticized Tea Party thinking, questioning how its …

Public Payrolls and Political Workers

FOIA exemptions and generous vacation days are just two ways politicians get campaign help from political appointees

… Washington or Detroit Find Out Who Works for YOU in the Michigan Legislature Sun May Finally Shine on State Pols' Staff Salary Secrets State rejects transparency despite minimal cost Schools Starting to Post Salary Details House Votes to Temporarily Trim Political Staff Benefits

MEGA Questions Surround GlobalWatt

… environments. At a minimum, the state should put its grossly obese corporate welfare bureaucracy on a strict diet that includes plenty of fresh transparency.   ##### Michael D. LaFaive is director of the Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative and Kathy Hoekstra is a communications specialist at the Mackinac …

MEGA Questions Surround GlobalWatt

… environments. At a minimum, the state should put its grossly obese corporate welfare bureaucracy on a strict diet that includes plenty of fresh transparency.