… 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 …
… giving, donors can ensure that American higher education lives up to its highest ideals. We are very glad that the University of Michigan agrees that transparency, accountability, and respect for donor intent must be at the heart of every college and university. Thank you to the Mackinac Center for guiding …
… whether these redactions were legally permissible, but it is clear is that public bodies are not applying FOIA in a way that encourages openness and transparency.” Whitmer’s office did not respond to an email seeking comment. Under the prevailing wage requirement, which the Legislature repealed in 2018, …
… the Frank Beckmann Center for Journalism grew steadily in its first year of operation. News stories, videos, radio and television appearances, transparency efforts and other projects help us put free-market policy solutions in front of key audiences. These products and activities also keep citizens …
As part of the Mackinac Center’s ongoing government transparency project, below is a regional list of press releases about different school districts. … School District (8/1/08) Mackinac Center Launches School Checkbook Transparency Project (3/13/08)
… partnerships cannot mature in effectiveness unless there is authentic transparency in our operations and decision making. The online check register will … available at www.mackinac.org/9329. "We are excited by the growth of this transparency initiative," said Braun. "Despite this being the busiest time of the …
… evidence that Michigan economic development programs need vastly more transparency. MEGA is the same program that the Mackinac Center has twice demonstrated … Michigan. The Center has also exposed the agency's growing lack of transparency during and after its deals are struck. A more open process might prevent …
A few minutes dedicated to government transparency was all it took to save one public school district tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars. East China … this data on their websites. “As this district has shown, government transparency has positive ‘real world’ effects,” said Braun. “Greater openness in …
… disciplinary issues that do not necessarily have to be provided under the transparency law, but that decision is made by the administration — employees are … union contracts from the public's view. ~~~~~ See also: How CapCon Uses Transparency Laws to Hold Government Accountable Wayne State Removes Questionable …
… Contracts In Michigan Schools Multiple School Districts Breaking Law on Transparency How CapCon Uses Transparency Laws To Hold Government Accountable School Districts, Union Working …
… considered an architect to the federal health care law who said a “lack of transparency” and “stupidity of the American voter” were critical to getting it passed … people pay in and sick people get money, it wouldn't have passed. Lack of transparency is a huge political advantage and, basically, call it the stupidity …
… R-Commerce Township, a former prosecutor, is the sponsor of one of the transparency bills. He asked McGrath what would happen if police found money and … Judiciary hearing: ~~~~~~ See also: Legislature Considering More Transparency for Asset Forfeiture Michigan Should Follow Minnesota’s Example On …
… could fix this problem. There is a model in place of union financial transparency requirements that Michigan could easily adopt — they are the federal … policymakers should consider adopting these rules. Bringing financial transparency to public sector unions in Michigan will make it more difficult for …
… Act — long overdue — to provide some additional standardization and transparency.” – State Sen. Mike Shirkey Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act, … great start to modernizing the Freedom of Information Act to ensure transparency within the government and lower costs for the governed.
… administers the program, to be held to very high standards of public transparency. The state’s contractor claims Pure Michigan generates large returns … the Mackinac Center sent this postcard regarding the program’s lack of transparency to Michigan lawmakers and reporters. LaFaive is available for further …
… estimate for producing the records.” Accountable government requires transparency, especially during times of crisis. While the department deserves most … create a useful legal precedent. People and the press have a right to transparency even if it’s inconvenient to the government agency receiving a FOIA …
… positive result was this: The U of M agreed to hire more staff to fulfill transparency requests without charging for most of them,” Lessenberry wrote. ForTheRecord says: Citizens who care about transparency in government should be even more concerned that officials at U-M misrepresented …
… the auto industry, the 10 largest unions in Michigan that file federal transparency reports have had a net loss of 137,000 members, or 33 percent of their … Center for Public Policy has published a study on bringing financial transparency to public sector unions, where questions often arise about spending …
… those funds,” said Steve Delie, the Mackinac Center’s policy lead on transparency and open government. “Transparency, accountability, and respect for donor intent should be at the heart …
… Steve Delie, the Mackinac Center’s policy lead on open government and transparency. “By refusing to release these records, the city of Highland Park is … Mackinac Center has recently filed a number of lawsuits in regards to transparency. The Center settled lawsuits against the cities of Flint and Warren …
… Fortunately, the Mackinac Center recently secured a legal victory in a transparency lawsuit against the University of Michigan. We filed the lawsuit in … ruling, saying, “[W]e are happy the court upheld the rule of law and transparency in government by ruling in our favor.” If you’ve been following the …
… for K-12 education Keep schools accountable by enhancing curriculum transparency Ensure construction and completion of the Line 5 tunnel Expand health … businesses.” You can view the complete list of recommendations – including transparency, criminal justice reform, and limits on the power of the administrative …
… behalf of one of his or her constituents. This results in a lack of transparency and accountability, and it can create an unfair advantage for some businesses … about its pork problem. Current leaders in Lansing vowed more government transparency, and they have yet to fulfill that promise. There should be a vetting …
… the new charter school "transparency and accountability" standards. … hand was charter school transparency and accountability. “For-profit … press conference about transparency, but didn’t make the bills … be subject to the same transparency and accountability standards … schools are held to the same transparency standards as conventional …
… launches school checkbook transparency project Washtenaw County … LAUNCHES SCHOOL CHECKBOOK TRANSPARENCY PROJECT MIDLAND, Mich. … importance of spending transparency, and compile any information … precedent for financial transparency, as parents, taxpayers, … commitment to spending transparency. Checkbook transparency …
… others about its lack of transparency. An objective means of … on this should be basic transparency.” Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, said the lack of transparency is a bipartisan concern. … agree that we need to have transparency. This is information the … challenges has been the transparency and the ability to see …
… 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 …
… legislatures have also erected barriers to transparency. These lead to legislative cultures designed … The huge resulting increase in legislative transparency will end some of those accountability-dodging … state is in even greater need of increased transparency. It is now in the midst of an ethics crisis …
… critics of mayoral control have argued that transparency has suffered. The reality, however, is that … proposal for mayoral control should ensure transparency by instituting disclosure requirements prior … safety, construction and finances. Fourth, transparency is toothless without oversight. Mayoral accountability …
… logic to unions, introducing new levels of transparency that are exposing practices previously hidden. … knowing what is going on, Michigan should bring transparency to its public employee unions. After all, these … to assure accuracy and consistency." Greater transparency would make it easier for government workers …
… executive board. The watch group, which wants transparency and better governance within the union, alleges … union has little to fear from fair elections or transparency. Union members should expect such things. And … officials are on the up-and-up, the lack of transparency breeds mistrust and creates an environment …
… of the program and the Film Office’s lack of transparency. On a related front, the Mackinac Center’s government transparency project, “Show Michigan the Money,” continued … lawmaker joined the list in March. The Center’s transparency efforts have generated coverage and editorial …
… major parties have decried the MEDC's lack of transparency, and the Michigan Office of the Auditor General … unemployment rate and the agency's declining transparency, I posit the following: MEDC officials know … need to address the MEDC's growing lack of transparency — or consider ending the agency altogether. …
… the people of Michigan a greater degree of transparency. “True success is based on achieving real … quasi-governmental agency. However, the lack of transparency for which the MEDC acquired a reputation under … R-Saugatuck, has expressed his concerns about transparency issues at the MEDC more than once based on …
… supposedly would include measures to improve MEDC transparency. The MEDC hands out millions of dollars for … is open to possible changes to improve its transparency. Many, perhaps a majority, of House Republicans … people, if any, will even remember the MEDC transparency issue while all of that is going on. A second …
… Jobs Fund, which it found to be lacking in transparency and direction and ultimately ineffective as … program’s failure to meet legislative reporting and transparency requirements. James Hohman, author of the … administrators of it have not complied with transparency requirements.” In researching a program like …
… to claim it. Stevenson did go on to say the transparency requirements for forfeiture are good and provide oversight. That’s true, and transparency shows how forfeiture is actually used and abused … negative effect on those efforts. Thanks to transparency requirements that went into effect in 2017, …
… the first post in the thread. The Regulatory Transparency Project, a nonprofit that describes itself … Good, The Bad, & The Ugly,” The Regulatory Transparency Project defined regulation as “the power to … goals of regulated entities. The Regulatory Transparency Project also contrasted rent-seeking behavior …
… Spectator: Michigan Mom Denied Quest for Educational Transparency Fox News: Why I'm suing my kids' school district … parents should be concerned about public school transparency The Detroit News: Oakland Ruling Weakens Transparency Law Documents & Timeline March 2022 Press …
… thanks to a law that demands modestly more transparency and accountability than past business subsidy … taxpayer cash.” He points to congressional transparency rules as one possible solution. Texas may also … non-profit, Michigan taxpayers deserve more transparency. Last-minute, secretive spending sprees approved …
… thanks to a law that demands modestly more transparency and accountability than past business subsidy … taxpayer cash.” He points to congressional transparency rules as one possible solution. Texas may also … non-profit, Michigan taxpayers deserve more transparency. Last-minute, secretive spending sprees approved …
… their work onto outside contractors to avoid transparency. Lansing politicians and state economic development … endorses this secrecy. The public deserves more transparency. To revisit the question of Pure Michigan’s … Some Lansing politicians want to push greater transparency for state government. Let’s hope it includes …
… their work onto outside contractors to avoid transparency. Lansing politicians and state economic development … endorses this secrecy. The public deserves more transparency. To revisit the question of Pure Michigan’s … Some Lansing politicians want to push greater transparency for state government. Let’s hope it includes …
… Police, Corrections and Human Services to replicate the level of spending transparency now provided by the Michigan Department of State. The MDOS has been … site is devoid of spending details and provides a trivial degree of transparency," responded Braun. "The governor told us to be happy with half a page …
… generous film incentive in the country. The concerns then broadened to transparency. Representatives from both the Michigan Film Office and its parent state … the investigation into the scandal. Given these situations, demanding transparency of the Michigan Film Office and the MEDC seems pretty reasonable, especially …
… this week, to mark Sunshine Week, the Mackinac Center began promoting transparency at all levels of Michigan government and has been providing encouragement … where their money goes," Braun said. "All of the 'A' students in the transparency class have been identified, and the rest are apparently celebrating …
… comparable schools as supporters had projected. In an effort to bring transparency to this issue, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has … to do with environmental policy and everything to do with government transparency and fiscal accountability. It is time that those benefiting from government …
Two bills already approved by the state Senate that would bring transparency to the Michigan Film Office are being held up by the chair of the state House … Moore and Subsidies: A Love-Hate Story Lawmakers Tackle Film Credit Transparency Michael Moore Inadvertently Makes Case Against Film Subsidies (Again) …
… Movie Subsidy? Hollywood Battles Michigan's New Budget Chief Film Transparency – Just say No? State Subsidies for Hollywood Dying in Iowa and Drawing … Moore and Subsidies: A Love-Hate Story Lawmakers Tackle Film Credit Transparency Michael Moore Inadvertently Makes Case Against Film Subsidies (Again) …
… families Critics of the bill claimed that it lacked quality controls and transparency requirements for charter schools. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, said … leave at any time. Rep. McMillin also argues that the bill adds new transparency requirements for charter schools that meet or exceed those of conventional …
… process itself is inherently undemocratic and lacking in both government transparency and accountability. Perhaps the most egregious abuse was the Granholm … cement the scheme into the state constitution. There are also government transparency issues associated with Proposal 2. A “yes” vote on Proposal 6 would …
… including those discussed at the hearing that would bring about greater transparency," he said. "That's the advantage of having a legislative process with … Proposes Expansion of Corporate Welfare Program Pressure Mounting For MEDC Transparency
… Contracts In Michigan Schools Multiple School Districts Breaking Law on Transparency How CapCon Uses Transparency Laws To Hold Government Accountable School Districts, Union Working …
… controversial. Controversial but important.” House Bill 4480 (2013): Greater transparency gets two thumbs up – one from each party. In 1999, then state Sen. … showed that Democrats and Republicans can both be supportive of greater transparency. The bill was introduced March 20, 2013 by Republican State Rep. Tom …
… Michigan’s charter schools, accompanied by allegations that they lack transparency and accountability. Then, in the run-up to the fall's general election, … despite claims to the contrary, charter schools are subject to the same transparency standards as conventional public schools.) Outweighing right-to-work, …
… unanimously passed a seven-bill package on Wednesday to require more transparency, and a higher standard of evidence before law enforcement agencies can … bills amending various law enforcement-related statutes to establish the transparency and reporting requirements; and two others that increase the burden …
… Information Act provides a compelling declaration in favor of government transparency: “It is the public policy of this state that all persons … are entitled … amending the Constitution to achieve the goals of full gubernatorial transparency. It is a worthwhile policy discussion, but one that can be informed …
… public officials would violate people’s privacy under the banner of “transparency.” Transparency is for government; privacy is for people. 4. Respect the governed and …
… good for the state and its residents. “Accountable government requires transparency, especially during times of crisis,” Wright said. “People and the press have a right to transparency even if it’s inconvenient to the government agency.” Related documents: …
… Mackinac Center Legal Foundation. “People and the press have a right to transparency even if it’s inconvenient to the government agency.” The case, in which … Flint Water Crisis State Still Ignores Sunshine Laws How a Government Transparency Request Can Take Months Documents & Timeline March 2016 Original …
… That’s why we have sued the University of Michigan for violating state transparency laws. Shortly after the November election, University of Michigan President … Michigan’s football coach, the Mackinac Center will fight for governmental transparency “with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.” The documents are important, …
… as paid our legal fees and required the university to establish more transparency. As we noted in the Detroit News: The newly released emails show Schlissel … solve this problem. A core mission of the Mackinac Center is government transparency, because people have a right to get information about things they are …
… businesses compete, protecting Michigan’s environment and promoting transparency in state government. For nearly 14 years, the Mackinac Center has encouraged … regulation, while still protecting Michigan’s businesses, and promoting transparency in the regulatory decisions made by state agencies. Once again, it …
… together a bipartisan package of bills to improve accountability and transparency in the state’s economic development programs. They put together a package … that the package fixes this problem and does other things to improve transparency and accountability. Some of the bills’ sponsors have worked with us …
… against U-M, it released all of the documents, added new staff to its transparency department and paid legal fees to the MCLF. Professor Marc Edwards, … with a MCLF lawsuit, it released the information. In short, government transparency laws are vital. Without them, it would be very difficult for reporters …
… policymakers should not add to that suffering with higher taxes. Government transparency remains a key issue, as Michigan is one of just two states in the country … issuing orders that affect millions and can result in criminal charges, transparency is more important than ever. Several reforms to the criminal justice …
… which Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law Monday, has some decent transparency and accountability features. Unfortunately, the legislation itself was … Corp. has in mind to subsidize. This is not a good omen for greater transparency and reflects larger, national trends that allow politicians to sink …
… this item is not on there,” Spisz said at the meeting, challenging the transparency of the resolution. “It’s on our packet and on our tablets here, yes, … no. “This seems to me a not-great way to do business, with very little transparency and very little notice.” On the yes side, Chair Dave Woodward, a Democrat, …
… entitled, "Accountability Via Transparency." I draw on many of their ideas … call this "accountability-via-transparency." The main function of such a … Under the "accountability-via-transparency" approach, charter schools routinely … education. Accountability-via-transparency includes four important areas. …
… Michigan law covered forced political contributions, it did not address the full range of non-workplace-related union expenditures or provide the transparency that would allow an employee to discover the full range of expenditures for which the dues were being used. Accordingly, while Michigan has a form …
… expansion of other sources for programming and information, PEG channels do offer benefits today. Broadcasts of local government meetings increase transparency of local government functions and help inform interested viewers about local issues. Local school concerts, sporting events, and graduation ceremonies …
… natural resources than having the DEQ's second, unpredictable layer of bureaucracy added to the U.S. Army Corps'. Although the DEQ's lack of budget transparency makes it difficult to estimate what Michigan taxpayers would save if the Legislature terminated the DEQ's redundant wetland regime, Harding notes …
… post its check register online for taxpayer inspection, according to Kenneth M. Braun, director of the Mackinac Center’s "Show Michigan the Money" transparency project. Braun has been encouraging all 551 public school districts in Michigan to regularly provide this data on their Web sites. "When difficult …
… 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 …
… 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 …
… time-consuming project. This is particularly the case with the MEDC, which has become less transparent over time (see "The Trend Toward — and Away From — Transparency" later in this study). Consider just how a member of the public or the Legislature might begin examining the inner workings of the MEDC. The screen …
… "pay for performance," it regularly announces jobs before they are created and says little about the subsequent results. It has also decreased the transparency and availability of its data, preventing the public and policymakers from determining actual job counts and evaluating the authority's effectiveness. …
… taxpayers to be aware of what's being offered. McDowell said that the union released information about its proposal because "the taxpayers deserve some transparency about what has been proposed." Two weeks ago, the district suggested releasing details on each side's "bottom line" as of August, but at that …
… 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 …
… 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 …
… specialists is not. Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican who has lately been criticizing Democratic proposals in Congress, praised the site. He “said the transparency provided by the site should hold down health costs and improve quality of care. In addition to informing consumers, he said, it should motivate …
… systematic studies have been published concluding that MEGA is not an effective development tool. The Legislature should ask hard questions about both transparency and effectiveness. If instead these hearings focus exclusively on one embarrassing misstep, they should be seen and reported only as eye-candy …
… releases have come to fruition. LaFaive also authored a Policy Brief titled "MEGA, the MEDC and the Loss of Sunshine," which details the lack of transparency in the MEDC and the difficulty involved with evaluating its effectiveness. MEDC officials also have admitted the agency did not audit any businesses …
… slipped into the last two. Taxpayers would be better served if the provision was adopted as a stand-alone and much more comprehensive spending transparency law that isn't subject to annual tinkering.
… always been in support of increased transparency as long as a company's proprietary … waters down the effect” of the transparency bill. The concern is that “shall” … accomplish their intent to create more transparency. “The legal thinking is this information … Lawmakers Tackle Film Credit Transparency Michael Moore Inadvertently Makes …
… when government is allowed to be selective — and secretive — about their handouts. Late last year, two bills (SB 796 and SB 889) calling for more transparency in the film subsidy program were signed into law. And according to a recent article in MIRS (subscription required), Gov. Rick Snyder proposes …
… Cops While City-Owned Pools Swim in Red Ink Thirty Percent of Shelby Twp. Police Salaries Exceed $90k The Art of the Ann Arbor City Budget A Transparency Fight in the Village of Armada
… Director, Mackinac Center Legal Foundation or Michael D. Jahr Vice President for Communications 989-631-0900 MIDLAND — In a setback for government transparency, the Michigan Supreme Court yesterday refused again to hear an appeal of a lower court decision that misinterpreted the Freedom of Information …
… Freely Available Information Hidden in MSU's Reply to Freedom of Information Request Politician Staffs: Your Money, Their Secret Government Transparency and a New Government in 2011 House of Reps Adopts ‘Open Kimono’ Policy for Salaries and Other Financial Info
… Firefighter Overtime Reform ‘Watered Down’ Commentary: Legislative Republicans Get Rolled by Unions on Binding Arbitration Lawmaker Seeks More Transparency for SWAT Team Raids Ten Total Fires and $30K in Average Overtime
… Arbor Schools Find and Oust 200 Ineligible Dependents from District Health Plan Super Speedway Notches Second State Subsidy Lawmaker Seeks More Transparency for SWAT Team Raids Ineligible Dependents on Ann Arbor Schools’ Health Plan Cost District $766K in 2010 Who are Your Lawmakers? I’m Just a Bill
… states legislative actions have favored “private-sector vendor’s access to public dollars” and criticized legislation for having “no expectation of transparency and accountability as it establishes unlimited for-profit charters and cyber–schools whose governing bodies will or may be located in other states …
… benefits than their private-sector counterparts. Stories exposing these and other questionable policies demonstrate the importance of government transparency. March 11 – 17 is Sunshine Week, which shines a light on the need for openness in government and against the “closed books” mentality that plagues …
… weekly roll call report of Michigan votes in the Senate and House, making public which legislators precisely voted on what legislation. Granting transparency to voters has become so popular that media outlets, from traditional print to online publications, have been catching on. The year-end “Missed …
… adopting specified fiscal and transparency reforms. Who Voted "Yes" and … must adopt certain fiscal and transparency reforms as a condition of receiving … must adopt certain fiscal and transparency reforms as a condition of receiving … adopting specified fiscal and transparency reforms. Who Voted "Yes" and …
… denies TV report she mishandled funds,” May 4, 2012 FURTHER READING: Mackinac Center for Public Policy, “DPS Building Scandal Highlights Need For Transparency,” Sept. 24, 2009
… Michigan and its local units of government will improve once this reform is enacted. This is because, as years roll by, it adds predictability, transparency and financial viability to public employee "legacy costs." Financially and economically, this reform legislation is an essential measure for restoring …
… two-thirds of the gifts made were to our general operations budget — that is, people did not specify a particular arena such as our litigation or transparency efforts, but donated the money freely and without limitation. This is a direct result of putting a picture in people’s heads of what we do every …
… starting a statewide bill and vote tracking service of its own. To that we say "congratulations." The Mackinac Center has long been a proponent of transparency and open government, and the more organizations working to keep Michiganders informed of what the state Legislature does and how it spends your …
