… which drastically weakens transparency in Michigan’s schools and … severe implications for transparency efforts across the state,” … Steve Delie, director of transparency and open government at … FOIA. Under this standard, transparency efforts across the state … detrimental to government transparency and accountability efforts …
… Livingston Daily last month also pointed out the shortcomings and lack of transparency of the most recent Michigan Film Office report. Transparency problems have plagued the film subsidy program for almost a year, and …
… provided union members, the government and the public a good level of transparency concerning labor organization finances. Public sector employees at … the benefits of financial disclosure; and it suggests how to improve transparency standards for Michigan’s public sector unions. [*] A “labor organization,” …
… the deals already made finally expire. Worse, officials refuse to say how much each company collects from the deals. Lawmakers make a mockery of transparency when people cannot be told how much of their money a private business gets. How many times does the state need to fail before legislators stop …
… wage law increased costs needlessly, especially for public schools. An editorial in the Holland Sentinel praised the Center's efforts to increase transparency among public schools and other government entities. Columnist Tom Watkins in The Detroit News cited the Center as one of several groups advocating …
… access to it. Legislators very often don't know what they are voting on." McHugh also expressed hope that legislators would be "sincere in their transparency talk" and work together to solve any difficulties with the proposal.
… relies upon monopolistic collective bargaining privileges these unions enjoy, which forces school employees to financially support them. This is why transparency of these unions is so important.”
… labor union members demanding transparency and accountability in how their … to deliver on the promises of transparency and accountability made to union … importance of union financial transparency. His analysis reveals that more … benefits and protections of increased transparency and accountability. It is time …
… calculated. This secrecy is unfair to taxpayers and makes a mockery of the MEDC’s claims for success. For more information: Legislators Who Promote Transparency Should Start by Disclosing Corporate Welfare Deals Pure Michigan’s ‘Budget Justification’ Pure Michigan: An Economic Development Program That …
… regularly engaged in misconduct. Our review suggests that most collective bargaining agreements in Michigan contain terms that are problematic for transparency, adequate discipline and stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Copies of the contracts reviewed for this analysis can be found here.
… 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 …
… analyzes each section of the law and provides word-for-word changes that would fix shortcomings and improve FOIA’s use as a tool for government transparency. A short summary of each section’s changes is provided, but a full description of every change would be unwieldy. This section categorizes and …
… quickly and at a lesser expense. If adopted, these amendments could transform Michigan from a state with a longstanding and poor record of public transparency, to one of the more transparent states in the country.
… That’s why school districts try to circumvent transparency laws and public unions consistently try to … source that sent the FOIA. But government transparency and using FOIA requests has allowed Michigan … process. Unfortunately, finding ways to avoid transparency has become second-nature to many public employees, …
… advance worker freedom. The first, ensuring union transparency, is the subject of the Mackinac Center’s publication, “Bringing Financial Transparency to Michigan's Public Sector Unions.” That June … authors conclude that after ensuring union transparency, “The next step is to guarantee workers a choice …
… learn how to generate and produce stories. Our transparency initiatives, which include filing hundreds … three lawsuits against insufficient government transparency, with more in the works. One client, Carol … supported our mission of promoting government transparency and impact journalism. You can learn more about …
… The problem can be traced to a culture of non-transparency, but the practical problems with FOIA are straightforward. … return power to the people. Michigan needs more transparency. Without it, parents will be stymied in their … from one of the worst states in the nation for transparency into a national leader in open government.
… people have a right to transparency, even if it inconveniences … should enhance government transparency. Other bills in the Legislature … companies receiving the funds. Transparency is often a partisan issue … fundamental values like transparency and rule of law.” President … their allies. But for us, transparency in government is not a …
… pushed for online financial transparency when it comes to public … expanded the financial transparency requirements of schools. … the state. This lack of transparency is concerning because the … requirement ensures that transparency requirements apply to the … systems. Earlier victories in transparency legislation are only useful …
… spoken about the need for transparency, and media outlets and … public entities to avoid transparency because material is “untimely” … if not the letter of the transparency act. And if the constitutional … review before release, transparency is cast aside. Various … security grant money. Transparency laws are important. In …
… prominently displayed "Government Transparency" hyperlink that allowed … "Show Michigan the Money" transparency project suggested a number … Granholm "has made government transparency and fiscal accountability … much they are getting. "Transparency" can be a buzzword that … talked but done little about transparency for six years, despite …
… steps to improve government transparency. Much of the plan has gone … which pledges “greater transparency requirements for the MEDC.” … far cry from the “100% transparency” Whitmer promised of the … that as a fair price for transparency. Other aspects of the governor’s transparency plan have not fared much …
… Mackinac Center "Show Michigan the Money" transparency project Office of the Governor responds to … expenditure reports Office of the Governor's transparency website Attorney General's transparency website Frugality Put in the Pokey Click …
… Center 's ongoing "Show Michigan the Money" transparency project. "We are excited," said Chassell Superintendent … Superintendent Sue Zurvalec. "We are committed to transparency, and posting the check registry is just one … checkbooks soon. "I think we'll see increased transparency in the rest of those Oakland County districts …
… this action and commend them for embracing transparency." Districts in the Grand Rapids region had … stewards, we should not shy away from providing transparency regarding public resources," said Dan Behm, … for answering the call and providing spending transparency within the first two years of the project," …
… this action and commend them for embracing transparency.” Districts in the Grand Rapids region had … stewards, we should not shy away from providing transparency regarding public resources,” said Dan Behm, … for answering the call and providing spending transparency within the first two years of the project,” …
… pertaining to such schools has “no expectation of transparency and accountability.” The board struck out … charter and cyber-schools “has no expectation of transparency and accountability” also appears to be false … are 61 provisions in SB Bill 618 that address transparency, accountability and oversight of charter schools, …
… Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan over government transparency (Page 7). We, along with the ACLU, the Michigan … educated regular citizens on how to increase transparency and accountability, regardless of government … right-to-work and everyone’s right to government transparency, a theme that resonates and repeats is “principle.” Regardless …
… with journalists, government watchdogs and transparency advocates across the country in celebrating … townhall meetings across the state focusing on transparency laws. That’s why we sued the city of Westland … those accomplishments, Michigan’s government transparency laws need updating for the 21st century. One …
… rights to access public records and require transparency from local and state governments, school boards … government, Reitz has worked actively to promote transparency in state and local government. In his previous … the additions. “Their passion for government transparency and experience in fighting to keep politicians …
… rights to access public records and require transparency from local and state governments, school boards … Information Act explains the importance of transparency: “It is the public policy of this state that … awareness of and improvements to the state’s transparency laws. Last year, the Center hosted a series …
… process. 3. Proposal 2 would provide needed transparency to the redistricting process The redistricting … includes important requirements for public transparency. For instance, the commission must hold at … meetings open to the public. It is said that transparency is the best disinfectant for political corruption, …
In response to one of our many transparency lawsuits, The Associated Press recently said the Mackinac … and Bridge Michigan have covered our work on transparency reforms. During Sunshine Week, Steve Delie … to talk about the importance of government transparency. In addition to earning media coverage across …
… in Sole v. MEDC is a win for taxpayers and transparency that draws substantially on arguments the Mackinac … that the Michigan Supreme Court is protecting transparency,” said Lisa McGraw, public affairs manager … Center for Public Policy. “The MEDC’s lack of transparency has been an attempt to thwart this long-standing …
… months. Thank you for helping us put government transparency into action and wield a megaphone for free … Reaching the target fuels our work in journalism, transparency and outreach. With the funds we are … Reaching … for them — as well as for the three current transparency lawsuits we have filed against a public university …
… series about the Michigan Film Incentive program. The series, titled "The Scene and the Unseen," is being produced as part of the Center's Michigan Transparency Project, which was launched in 2008 to inspect the practices of elected officials, government agencies and organizations specially privileged by …
As part of the Mackinac Center’s ongoing government transparency project, below is a list of press releases for the Metro-Detroit area school districts. More information about the project is available at MichiganTransparency.org. Berkley School District: June 2009 Press Release Dearborn Public Schools: …
… — While the debate over public transparency at the state's "jobs" department … relationship between the decrease in MEDC transparency and the increase in the state's … recommendations for improving transparency are: restoring information to summary … program continues and with far less transparency," said LaFaive. The Policy Brief …
… spending. This emphasis on government "transparency" has led to the publication of … effectiveness. This failure in government transparency is ultimately the responsibility … have decried the MEDC's lack of transparency, and the Michigan Office of the … address MEGA's growing lack of transparency — or consider ending the program …
… programs, including the Michigan Economic Growth Authority and the Michigan Film Office. A portion of the study points out the growing lack of transparency the MEDC has exhibited in the face of growing state unemployment, as well as the revelation that less than 30 percent of "new" jobs promised by …
… state's economic development machinery, including the Michigan Economic Growth Authority and the Michigan Economic Development Corp., both which lack transparency. LaFaive also noted Michigan's troubling pattern of out-migration and the problems associated with the state's film subsidy program, which has …
… less important than roads,” Lehman said. “There’s a lot of corporate welfare on that list that can be cut.” Lehman also touched on government transparency and bringing government employee benefits in line with what is offered in the private sector, which could save taxpayers $5.8 billion annually.
A second option for enhancing transparency is for Michigan to enact a statute requiring public sector unions to file a copy of the Form LM-2, LM-3, or LM-4, depending on its size, with MERC. One benefit of this approach would be that members of the labor community, along with the accountants and lawyers …
… the state and establishing real transparency guidelines. This battle is not … introduced that would increase transparency requirements for forfeited property. … state’s forfeiture laws, including transparency and considering preventing forfeiture … package of bills that would increase transparency and raise the standard of evidence …
… relatively few. New definitions are provided to create and identify the proposed Open Government Commission. There are also some to facilitate greater transparency relating to police personnel files. A noteworthy amendment is an expansion of the definitions of “public record” and “public body.” If adopted, …
… Mackinac Center priorities could get bipartisan traction this year: Transparency Gov. Whitmer and legislators in both parties have touted open-records … funds has renewed legislators’ interest in measures to increase the transparency and accountability of the state’s economic development programs. Productivity …
… better because it allows producers to sell filmcredits to other taxpayers. But laundering payments through other businesses at a discount decreases transparency. Subsidies should be part of the budget and be subject to annual appropriations. This keeps legislators in control of fiscal policy. The proposed …
… 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 …
… 3,000 pupils, Wayland Union Schools are providing a level of spending transparency that many of the state's larger districts do not. Wayland has joined … was very important to him and the school board. "Communication and transparency is important for our school leaders," said Melching. "Everyone supported …
… work hard at being fiscally prudent." The district also has a large "Transparency Reporting" link on its homepage, which shows budget and salary information. "Anything [the district] can do to build credibility through transparency helps people and the community make informed decisions about [school …
… dollars schools spend, this is a necessary step towards achieving real transparency and fiscal accountability." The Traverse City Education Association said it was fine with the increased transparency. “The Traverse City Education Association has nothing to hide. As …
… President Michael J. Reitz spearheaded this new effort to bring government transparency into the 21st Century. The Center has committed to producing a comprehensive … Center for Michigan to host town hall meetings regarding government transparency in July and August. Local media personalities moderated the events, …
… been promoting VoteSpotter, a revolutionary app that makes government transparency and accountability easy. And Michigan residents have responded. Currently, … can help keep elected officials accountable and planted the flag of transparency for all to see. While the public cannot always be in Lansing, it now …
… a better person to author this new study, titled “Bringing Financial Transparency to Michigan’s Public Sector Unions.” Nathan Mehrens is currently the … worked, wrote the foreword to the study. This issue is about financial transparency and accountability, but it’s also about fairness. All private sector …
… government-employee unions, the Mackinac Center published “Bringing Financial Transparency to Michigan’s Public Sector Unions” in June 2015. Nathan Mehrens, a … Meany. Mehrens described how easy it would be for Michigan to implement transparency requirements for its public sector unions: All the Legislature would …
… dollars reallocated through the jobs fund. Aside from the fund’s lack of transparency, questionable reporting practices and possible constitutional issues, … on this program and the administrators of it have not complied with transparency requirements.” Hohman said any economic impact by the 21st Century …
… the FOIA requests, which were filed in an effort to provide additional transparency on the Flint water crisis, were submitted to the university by Dr. Edwards … universities, aren’t above the law and cannot stand in the way of complete transparency.” The Mackinac Center Legal Foundation prevailed previously in a FOIA …
… with media leaders and groups across the state to call for increased transparency from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. In an open letter spearheaded by the Michigan … cases at each school. This is a positive step forward, but additional transparency is needed. Families deserve transparent and timely information about …
… 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 …
… and My Pay My Say. Additionally, Steve leads the Center's government transparency efforts as the transparency and open government director. Shane Hernandez is the President of Associated …
… have no expectation of transparency or accountability. To your … compensation is listed on any transparency reports. Your article [quotes … Center has long espoused transparency and accountability. Frankly, … rhetoric of accountability and transparency departs so dramatically … counts: accountability, transparency, equity, and quality. You …
… that MEDC provide basic transparency. It wasn't necessarily … appreciate MEDC’s anti-transparency nature one has to go back … very roots. Regarding transparency, the MEDC has never been … supposed to care about transparency) ignoring the situation … vigorously pursuing the MEDC transparency issue.
… should be taken to bring transparency to the agency. And if the … required to provide more transparency there really isn’t anyone … “The need for greater MEDC transparency is best summarized by what … also said that bringing transparency to the MEDC should start … Tone Deaf to Requests for Transparency MEDC Boss Says Agency …
… When you get a lack of transparency, you can only assume that … he said. The level of transparency varies by state because … of the lack of financial transparency. They formed an independent … nevertheless wants more financial transparency because the union still … spending and there would be transparency,” she said. ~~~~~ See …
… principles of government transparency,” Mozena said. “Accountable government requires transparency and effective journalism requires timely transparency. Delayed FOIA responses … fight for governmental transparency ‘with an enthusiasm unknown … disregard of Michigan’s transparency laws. The case was filed …
… school accountability and transparency are setting the stage for … Parent Dashboard for School Transparency as an effective replacement … not just reduce district transparency. It would also hinder efforts … school accountability and transparency. The repeal of the Read … school accountability and transparency. The letter grade ranking …
… state and local government transparency, didn’t release the names … the Sunshine Review, said transparency has become a “bastardized” term. “Transparency is not about private responsibility … issues or donor lists aren’t transparency issues. Those are First … issues.” Barnhart said transparency now is being used “to intimidate …
… when it comes to the importance of government transparency. That’s why the ACLU — along with the Michigan … government. “We’ve long been a proponent of such transparency, and now we think it’s time to increase our … Michigan Press Association have also partnered on transparency projects in the past. We filed a joint amicus …
… program was performing because of a lack of transparency. Senate Bill 269 would extend funding for … Jones, R-Grand Ledge, said he supports more transparency on how 21st Century Jobs Fund money is spent. … is reviewing the reporting requirements and transparency for the 21st Jobs Fund and looking at some …
… bit in the future if a recently enacted MEDC transparency law works as intended. House Bill 4480 received … House Democrats MEDC Questioned About its Transparency Pressure Mounting for MEDC Transparency MEGA Failure: Job Projections From Michigan …
Taxpayers demand transparency in the use of public dollars. They require open budgeting, annual reporting, … comes to public money, this is a travesty of transparency and the Mackinac Center is doing something … should be upset about this failure of basic transparency.
… taxpayers. Accountable government requires transparency and effective journalism requires timely transparency. That’s why the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation … Tribune also shared the importance of government transparency when they covered the release of the Michigan …
… took a modest step in 2015 by introducing some transparency into the process. Law enforcement agencies … Michigan House passed an impressive package of transparency reforms earlier this year. The bills would … bills separately and advance the executive transparency bills. As a candidate, Snyder said he supported …
… Everyone deserves this basic level of government transparency. Take, for example, our home state of Michigan. … jobs. Politicians are reluctant to require transparency because the companies receiving these deals … disclosure. That person dismissed our concerns: “Transparency doesn’t create jobs. GM does.” Secret payments …
… post it in annual reports or through state transparency webpages. Deals don’t always go as expected … signed. This is why there ought to be additional transparency and accountability. Some companies don’t end … of legislators to improve accountability and transparency in the state’s economic development programs. …
… other units of government to determine how well they are forecasting budget needs. The new GASB standards are also intended to promote greater transparency concerning a government unit’s financial position, as opposed to its compliance with legal constraints.[366]
… the Information Age places such transparency within our grasp, a detailed expense … Policy's "Show Michigan the Money" transparency project. An identical and earlier … $602,000 annually to keep this whole transparency project running. These numbers … short of the "gold standard" of transparency set by Missouri (a state Web site …
… MEGA's new spreadsheets. Parts of that correspondence are reproduced in "Appendix B: A Sample of Correspondence With the MEDC." Concerns over transparency in the MEGA program involve more than an insistence on accepted norms of good government. Assessing the program's effectiveness, especially in …
… Education Digest, "Audit: Millions in waste at DPS," Aug. 6, 2009 Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "DPS Building Scandal Highlights Need for Transparency," Sept. 24, 2009
… Superintendent Lynn Parish had offered public bargaining after HEA President Jay McDowell told the Press & Argus recently that taxpayers "deserve some transparency" about the bargaining process. The teachers union is asking for a 1.5 percent salary increase, which would cost about $475,000, the Press & Argus …
… Traverse City Record-Eagle, cited several statistics from the study, including the failure of the Michigan film incentive and the growing lack of transparency at the MEDC over time. LaFaive also was quoted by the Livingston Daily in a story that says Michigan will have lost 1 million jobs by the end …
… 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 …
… is still using GenNET equipment, such as fiber optic cable, The Journal reported. SOURCE: The Flint Journal, "Clio school district says lack of transparency, poor communication reasons for leaving GenNET," Sept. 17, 2010 FURTHER READING: Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Issues and Ideas Forum: Virtual …
… program negative and the other only slightly positive for the state. Details on a number of these deals can be found at the Mackinac Center's MEGA Transparency Project. Gov.-elect Rick Snyder campaigned on a results-oriented approach to governance. If he's serious about that, he will abstain from trumpeting …
… Wright has addressed Michigan’s FOIA law on a number of occasions. As he explained recently during Sunshine Week, FOIA laws ensure government transparency and create an environment that “makes the process more fair.”
… 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” …
… 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 …
… 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 …
… included. More information can be found at the event website: http://citizenwatchdoglansing.eventbrite.com/ ~~~~~ See also: How CapCon Uses Transparency Laws to Hold Government Accountable
… Initiative, told WNEM-TV5. LaFaive said not only is taking money from Michigan taxpayers and giving it to Hollywood troublesome, but so is the lack of transparency surrounding the film subsidies. “Sometimes it’s very difficult to get detail about how the money is being used,” he said. “We don’t know, for …
… with the exact same financial transparency requirements as regular public … addition to this board-related transparency and reporting, charter schools must and do provide financial transparency for parents and the public,” Van … hold charter schools to a new transparency standard is a ‘solution’ in search …
… Schoolchildren, charter schools are also part of the problem. The report states, “Charter authorizers and charter school boards should improve transparency, focus more on quality, and better coordinate all charter schools.” The report also complains about the removal of the state cap on charter schools …
The Detroit News reports on the lack of transparency from Michigan’s corporate welfare program. “Michigan taxpayers are on the hook for giving 96 percent of nearly $9.4 billion in tax credits to companies in the vaguely named ‘transportation’ sector, but a state agency that doles out the job-retaining …
… bill package is about uniformity, transparency, and accountability,” said Rep. … legislation is raise the bar on creating transparency. There are a few things we may … believe that we’re all interested in transparency.” If enacted the legislation would … Legislature Considering More Transparency For Asset Forfeiture Civil Asset …
… bipartisan support.” The bills raising the standard of proof (although not as high as what is needed for a criminal conviction) and establishing strong transparency laws passed overwhelmingly in the state House. They are now sitting in the state Senate where they have not been taken up.
… precisely how basic government transparency principles were avoided. The roots … fellow lawmakers. This is not real transparency, and it also appears to contradict … job to make sure the MEDC meets transparency standards. “As currently constituted … Agency Tone Deaf to Requests for Transparency There is No Good Reason the MEDC …
… Economic development and corporate welfare State energy policy Environmental regulation Medicaid funding Criminal justice reform FOIA and government transparency Analysts will also be available leading up to and immediately after the State of the State for comment. Follow the Mackinac Center Twitter account …
… have contracts which force teachers to give money to unions, establish racial and religious preferences, automatically deduct union dues, avoid transparency laws, and ignore merit pay requirements. All of those provisions are contrary to state laws. Unlike mascot-gate, the Michigan Department of Education …
… charged with a crime and only 48 percent were convicted of a crime before they lost the right to their property. This information is according to a transparency report filed this year and gathered by the Michigan State Police. People can decide for themselves whether that is an overreach, but it's certainly …
… policy ideas for the 2020 Legislature to consider and include reforms related to Michigan's educational, fiscal, environmental, labor, health care, transparency and criminal justice needs. Mackinac Center Public Policy Recommendations Note: The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically reshaped the economic …
