… 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 …
… 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 …
The Legislature has agreed to request greater transparency from Michigan's public school districts, adopting a cause the Mackinac Center first took up more than 18 months ago, according to The Grand Rapids Press. The Center since March 2008 has been requesting school districts, municipalities and legislators …
A Detroit News editorial today calls for more transparency from the Michigan Film Office in the wake of a months-long investigation by Mackinac Center analysts that raised several questions about a Grand Rapids-area movie studio deal. Michigan Capitol Confidential has a story today about proposed legislation …
… 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 …
The Senate Judiciary committee unanimously passed five bills that establish strong transparency requirements for property forfeited in Michigan. The bills have are House Bill 4499, 4503, 4504, 4505, and 4506. They were supported by Senators Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, Tonya Schuitmaker, R-Lawton, Patrick …
… has raised serious concerns about the lack of transparency in MEGA and its parent agency, the Michigan … fraud? The concerns could be alleviated by two transparency/due diligence reforms that would protect the … criminal wins an "incentive" deal, but the lack of transparency that characterizes this entire operation.
… the MEDC." Concerns over transparency in the MEDC and the MEGA … there is more at stake: Transparency also helps expose political … Conversely, the MEDC's lack of transparency further heightens concerns … questionable numbers and a lack of transparency at the MEDC. More to the … own performance and to a transparency that provides the public …
… announcement of the "School Checkbook Transparency Project," which aims to open up … school district and other key transparency projects as part of its www.MichiganTransparency.org … other Michigan agencies to improve transparency, including the online checkbooks … first steps taken toward spending transparency by the Michigan Office of the Attorney …
… 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 …
… for bold and meaningful reforms to Michigan’s transparency laws,” said Steve Delie, director of transparency and open government at the Mackinac Center. … about the Center’s work on improving government transparency here.
… information about the results of the programs, and the auditor general has highlighted this substandard level of reporting multiple times.[87] Basic transparency of its activities would require a report on what was awarded to each project, what was received, and the jobs and investment the spending produced. …
… Another area ripe for reform is government transparency. Shining a light on the inner workings of government … related note, the state should improve the transparency of its subsidiaries: county and municipal governments. School districts must follow robust transparency reporting laws and so should these other government …
Teacher salaries and school district spending transparency are the focus of two Detroit News articles today that rely on the expertise of Mackinac Center … years. “Knowledge is power,” LaFaive said. “That’s why we’ve advocated transparency for so long.”
… importance of government transparency in an opinion issued as … Center’s lead on government transparency, told MLive:. Michigan … upheld the rule of law and transparency in government by ruling … push for more government transparency and accountability. Read more: Transparency Laws are Designed to Keep …
… of local governments and school districts embracing this fast-growing transparency trend, according to Ken Braun, director of the Mackinac Center's "Show … open response we've received from many districts in Southeast Michigan, transparency is encountering more resistance in districts on the other side of the …
… 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 …
… 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 …
… $15 million, according to The News. It underscores the importance of transparency. The Mackinac Center has been asking school districts, municipalities … designing, constructing and financing school infrastructure. With regards to transparency in contracting, a letter received today from the Detroit Public Schools …
… effort, this one to push for accountability and transparency in federal aid to states. The federal government … them to mandate what it calls the “reasonable transparency requirements of its recipients.” Specifically, … are spent is an important part of assuring transparency. The coalition requests also that aid be distributed …
… importantly, Valient made “100 percent transparency” a centerpiece of its proposal. … others. In addition to the promised transparency of survey design and data sets, … “provide press briefings to improve transparency and public understanding of the … guidance by mandating 100 percent transparency and that all costs associated with …
… 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 …
… taxpayers this year. But residents cannot be told which businesses are cashing in and how much each gets. This is a failure of basic government transparency. As a citizen, you are entitled to know how your government is spending your money. The state and local governments put a lot of effort into this …
… Center has written extensively about a lack of transparency in the Pure Michigan and other programs. Moreover, … vendor said Longwoods had a “lack of total transparency,” and acknowledged that reviewing its process … Longwoods’ claim. Notwithstanding Longwood’s lack of transparency, this second outfit chose to attempt its own …
… 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 …
… still seeking data from individual agencies and school districts in an effort to complete the database. Michigan should lead the way and embrace transparency.” Additional information on the database can be found here. # # # # #
… ongoing "Show Michigan the Money" transparency project. "Fiscal accountability … to promote open government and transparency," noted White, who said she believes … districts showed that 21st century transparency is easily attained if officials … Schools should be next to take the transparency plunge, as it is surrounded on …
… positive steps towards increasing transparency in the state. The Mackinac Center’s director of transparency and open government, Steve Delie, … shortcomings and ensure greater transparency. This includes steps to address … drastically expand government transparency.” Read the full testimony here. …
… statutes, the best solution for increasing transparency in this area is to amend Michigan’s statute to provide for more transparency. There are at least two options available … Although both options would improve the level of transparency of public sector unions in Michigan, the better …
… doing.” Reitz recently joined the board of directors for the Michigan Coalition for Open Government and has written previously about government transparency.
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. …
In 2023, transparency moved into the Overton Window in Michigan. … for non-filers. Whatever transparency comes from Proposal 1 will … Legislators didn’t embrace transparency on their own. The public … That’s not to claim victory. Transparency is not a native impulse … 2023 was a good year for transparency in Michigan. But we the …
… coast and in Canada called "transparency." Back in the 1980s this … challenge. One of the earliest transparency initiatives, I'm proud … has since added to its transparency effort with the "Show Michigan … dedicated to promoting transparency at all levels of government, … Foundation launched its superb transparency portal, called TexasBudgetSource.com, …
… an attempt to bring more transparency to the Michigan Economic … concerns over its anti-transparency image. One measure, House … business. The key word here is transparency, and I'm proud to say that … frustration concerning transparency issues at the MEDC in the … when it comes to improving transparency at the MEDC, lawmakers …
… two new laws which call for more transparency in the state’s film subsidy program. … questioned the state’s lack of transparency in the film industry in March, … as $10 million dollars. Greater transparency of Michigan’s film subsidy program, … Lawmakers Tackle Film Credit Transparency Michael Moore Inadvertently Makes …
… increase our efforts to improve transparency laws and equip citizens with training … with others who share a vision of transparency. Finally, the Mackinac Center … efforts to improve government transparency include MichiganVotes.org, school … teachers to keep their jobs. Transparency is one of the few genuinely bipartisan …
… increase our efforts to improve transparency laws and equip citizens with training … with others who share a vision of transparency. Finally, the Mackinac Center … efforts to improve government transparency include MichiganVotes.org, school … teachers to keep their jobs. Transparency is one of the few genuinely bipartisan …
… 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 …
… 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 …
… motion. A small step towards greater government transparency died on the spot. But some members of the … the Mackinac Center’s Show Michigan the Money transparency project. “If you follow the spirit of the law, … Idea Show Michigan the Money — Government Transparency Project
A leading advocate of government transparency is promoting a Detroit News Op-Ed written by Michael LaFaive, director of the Center’s Morey Fiscal Policy … Review, an independent organization that evaluates government websites for transparency and promotes state sunshine laws (freedom of information and open meetings …
… suit, which was recently settled. U-M agreed to pay legal fees, add new transparency workers and release the emails it tried to keep hidden. But this doesn’t … and release it. State legislators should act now to enhance Michigan’s transparency laws. Media around the state and nation also covered the results of …
Michigan has significant problems with transparency, and a recent lawsuit by the Mackinac Center may … key information from the public. This weakens transparency and government accountability. The MEDC is … Government bodies should not be able to sidestep transparency by using organizations in the private sector …
… that deserves praise for embracing a spirit of transparency is Oakridge Public Schools, just east of Muskegon. … board and the various unions. This level of transparency is especially helpful when negotiations turn … applauded for their efforts to introduce more transparency to the process and should serve as a model …
… take note because politicians across the spectrum and at all levels of government talk about working for the people and increasingly many promise transparency. But a look at how CAFR reports are filed shows there is a lot of work to do. The first problem is how the information is presented on the CAFR …
… the Overton Window podcast. Lauer boils it down to a simple message. “Transparency is for government and privacy is for people,” she says. This idea goes … Despite the assertion from proponents that donor disclosure is about transparency, Lauer questions whether these required disclosures are used for anything …
… per page, among other reforms. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ See also: Unions, Government Entities Team Up To Keep Information From Citizens How CapCon Uses Transparency Laws To Hold Government Accountable Government Entities Stymie FOIA Requests To Hide Information
… annual report to the Legislature. Short of eliminating the 21st Century Jobs Fund's Competitive Edge Technology Grants and Loans, requiring greater transparency in the operations of the program. Currently, the annual reports to the Legislature lack the actual draws on the grants and loans made to the companies; …
Michigan’s corporate welfare programs, which should be eliminated, at the very least need more transparency, according to an Op-Ed in Sunday’s Detroit Free Press co-authored by Assistant Director of Fiscal Policy James Hohman and Eric Mosher, a program associate at the Public Interest Research Group. …
… results hard to ascertain. The need for greater transparency in government programs has been widely recognized. … and difficult to obtain. A similar loss of transparency appears to be occurring with the MEDC. Despite … state incentive programs, "[T]axpayers deserve transparency to know that their money is being spent wisely …
The need for greater transparency in government programs has been widely recognized. President Barack … difficult to obtain.[‡] A similar loss of transparency appears to be occurring with the organization … state incentive programs, "[T]axpayers deserve transparency to know that their money is being spent wisely …
… McHugh is enthusiastic about the launch of "Transparency 2.0," which will change those incentives and … was the Mackinac Center's first venture in "Transparency 1.0," the posting of large amounts of searchable, … pioneer effort actually went beyond subsequent transparency projects (like posting government "check registers" …
… bill, which drew bipartisan support in the House, promotes government transparency and accountability by modernizing the state’s Freedom of Information … penalties that can be imposed on agencies that improperly withhold records. Transparency shouldn’t be viewed as an extra cost or burden borne by public agencies; …
… emails in an “effort to increase transparency and make information more accessible … “Accountable government requires transparency, especially during times of crisis,” … is still balking at Michigan’s transparency laws.” On March 30, 2016, the … and the press have a right to transparency even if it’s inconvenient to the …
… issues and debate.” “Michigan has been receiving low grades for its transparency,” he continued. “However, when we checked around, we found that Michigan’s … from the FOIA laws in most other states. Yes, we want to improve our transparency but we need to make sure the legislation we introduce is the result …
Government transparency tools like the Freedom of Information Act are one of the best ways to hold public officials and employees accountable for their … sent to the Mackinac Center, the lawsuit continues. Timely responses to transparency requests are paramount for holding government accountable, and excessive …
… explanation for this particular MEDC step away from transparency. The policy change first came to light in early … represented. The issue and its implications for transparency has been the subject of other Michigan Capitol … Corporate Welfare Agency Tone Deaf to Requests for Transparency There is No Good Reason the MEDC Should Exist …
… taxpayer." That's why we're encouraged by growing interest in government transparency by the public and public officials. Not only do we have Bernero's and … impermissible political work. We also have seen admirable strides in government transparency by select legislators, public schools and state officers in response …
… review. The House Tax Policy Committee held a hearing Wednesday on Senate Bills 796 and 889, both of which were already passed by the Senate. Transparency has become an issue as the Michigan film incentive program may give back $120 million in 2011 and as two other states have had problems with their …
… for review. The House Tax Policy Committee held a Feb. 10 hearing on Senate Bills 796 and 889, both of which were already passed by the Senate. Transparency has become an issue as the Michigan film incentive program may give back $120 million in 2011 and as two other states have had problems with their …
… Policy, with which I have been associated now for 25 summers. I am here today to call upon the Michigan Travel Commission to demand greater fairness, transparency and intellectual honesty in state and industry dealings. I have written many scholarly studies during my time with the Mackinac Center, but one …
… ccountable government requires transparency, which is why the Mackinac Center … year, the Center joined other transparency advocates, including the ACLU of … and the Sierra Club, to support transparency reforms. The Mackinac Center Legal … long-time journalism professor and transparency advocate Jane Briggs-Bunting, has …
… is a model of government transparency, while the local transit … website, the organization’s transparency project says that it is … taxpayers to see should spur transparency in the county. “The whole … governments in their level of transparency, provide a means of determining … here. ~~~~~ See also: A Transparency Fight in the Village of …
… News. Municipalities can avoid such legal difficulties by embracing transparency. What can help avoid an improper contracting arrangement? Requests for … present on the city's Web site. Ecorse is particularly lacking in online transparency, with a Web site that is simply a directory.
… taxpayers deserve to see how public dollars are being spent," the editorial said. A full list of schools that are cooperating with the Center's transparency efforts is available at www.mackinac.org/9329.
… financial reporting requirements for private sector unions while serving at the U.S. Department of Labor, explains how Michigan should reform its union transparency laws. Most public sector unions do not have to publicly disclose meaningful financial information, and Mehrens argues that Michigan lawmakers should …
… (R-Port Huron) and Sara Cambensy (D-Marquette). The bills will increase transparency by requiring that the public have access to the CON commission’s meeting … significant impact on health care costs, access and quality. Increasing transparency to this process and requiring elected officials to regularly review …
… quality of health care. Collectively, House bills 5074-5077 would increase transparency by requiring that the public have access to the CON commission’s meeting … quality. It’s encouraging to see lawmakers taking steps to increase transparency by requiring elected officials to regularly review the actions of the …
… Pure Michigan ad campaign and make extraordinary claims about the supposed return on investment of this spending, LaFaive said there should be transparency in the process. He writes: Such claims should come with a high burden of proof, yet the company refuses to disclose the calculations behind this …
… 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, …
… Michigan Legislature for passing a package of bills that establishes transparency requirements for forfeited property and raises the standard of evidence … Recommendations for Reforms,” makes three main recommendations: Increase transparency reporting requirements for property that is forfeited (solved by this …
… dollars are being used, and these bills will help bring the necessary transparency to ensure this. Three bills grant citizens greater access to information … director of fiscal policy at the Mackinac Center. “This package improves transparency and will help people hold them accountable for results.” The Mackinac …
… 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.” …
… the press have a right to transparency, even when it’s inconvenient … continues to skirt state transparency laws by not responding … still balking at Michigan’s transparency laws. … The fact that the … occurring and ensure real transparency. “Regarding Flint, it doesn’t … and strengthen Michigan’s transparency laws. “If you leave it …
A package of bills that would provide more transparency in asset forfeiture cases in Michigan is being … these perverse incentives. "It's just good transparency legislation," Rep. McMillin said. "It would … possible." While generally supporting more transparency, she said it would require more employees to …
The Traverse City Area Public School district is raising transparency to a new level by posting on its website the contracts it proposes to unionized employees. At present, only the proposed transportation employee union contract is available, but eventually, all of them will be. The local teachers …
… significant hurdles due to a lack of transparency. This year is no different. At … efforts. Unfortunately, this lack of transparency isn’t limited to just one year. … lawmakers should mandate greater transparency from state agencies. For too long, … shining the disinfecting light of transparency on the secrecy of the state and …
… should be transparent to the public,” said Steve Delie, director of transparency and open government for the Mackinac Center. “Without this transparency, government bodies could hide their records behind the veil of their …
… programs and grants they oversee. This lack of transparency makes closing a $900 million deficit far more … increases. Further evidence of this lack of transparency is the number of hidden "cookie jars" stuffed … to dip into the ISD surplus.) Part of the transparency problem lies in the nature of the appropriations …
… child’s chances to succeed in school. And greater transparency builds trust. There’s a growing movement to … have taken up legislation to enhance academic transparency, an approach that can be a true win-win for … made decent progress in providing financial transparency, though gaps sometimes appear in local reporting. …
… leading advocate of government transparency, also promoted The Detroit News … among other duties. Government transparency is key to the work of journalists … government unions from trying to limit transparency into their affairs, such as with … truths sometimes revealed by this transparency law. Big Labor may not have set …
… protecting the thousands of programs and grants they oversee. This lack of transparency makes closing a $900 million deficit far more difficult than it otherwise … “revenue enhancements” – tax increases. Further evidence of this lack of transparency is the number of hidden “cookie jars” stuffed with tax dollars that …
… significant transactions are still kept out of sight. But the entire union transparency initiative could be undone by an incoming administration that is overly … Washington. Michigan's working men and women all have a stake in union transparency going forward rather than backwards. ##### Paul Kersey is labor policy …
… significant transactions are still kept out of sight. But the entire union transparency initiative could be undone by an incoming administration that is overly … Washington. Michigan's working men and women all have a stake in union transparency going forward rather than backwards. ##### Paul Kersey is labor policy …
… alarmed many local residents, and the Harbor Beach board of education is now trying to explain its use of taxpayer dollars in this manner. This new transparency requirement comes on the heels of a year-long push by the Mackinac Center to encourage school districts to post their checkbook registers online. …
