… moderation in labor costs and work rules. Helping the companies’ cause have been enlightened leaders, including Delphi’s CEO, J.T. Battenberg, whose transparency over the years about Delphi’s books gradually helped persuade union bosses. Now that they’re seeing one another less and less as the enemy, a …
… need to update the guidelines and policies in their contracting rules. The report is therefore designed to share "best practices," thus "ensuring transparency, accountability, and the delivery of high performance." The report contains five major sections: "Definitions." In keeping with the Socratic …
… should be separated into separate budgets and judged on their own merits, rather than co-mingled with operations funding. The result will be greater transparency. Incentives matter. Under the current system, universities’ incentives to contain costs are weak. If the universities were subjected much more …
… education. With the general public largely shut out, the result is the uneven playing field. ... In Wisconsin, legislation would be required to achieve transparency; currently, if one party requests that the negotiations be private, that prevails. We propose altering those terms so that either party can stipulate …
(Editor's note: Last updated October 4, 2011.) Part of the Mackinac Center’s ongoing government transparency project “Show Michigan the Money,” this database links users to the checkbook registers of the school districts that publish such data online. Users can track school districts’ expenditures …
… devastating to Michigan’s economy and have no discernible impact on global climate change. The Michigan Legislature needs to intervene to ensure that transparency and the interests of Michigan residents are paramount in the further workings of the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Accord states. ##### Russ Harding …
… Short of that, they might at least consider new legislation introduced by Sen. Nancy Cassis to make MEGA's performance more transparent. Real transparency would require MEDC bureaucrats to issue a press release every time a MEGA "winner" fails to produce the jobs they said it would. Such sunshine …
… behind opaque procedures, obscure language and oceans of spin. There's still plenty of smoke being blown, but the air is quickly cleared by the transparency provided by an innovative, user-friendly Web site that puts the actions of Michigan's legislators at your fingertips. If you haven't checked out …
… Short of that, they might at least consider Senate Bill 1541, introduced by Sen. Nancy Cassis to make MEGA's performance more transparent. Real transparency would require MEDC bureaucrats to issue a press release every time a MEGA "winner" fails to produce the jobs they said it would. Such sunshine …
… should be separated into separate budgets and judged on their own merits, rather than co-mingled with operations funding. The result will be greater transparency. Incentives matter. Under the current system, universities' incentives to contain costs are weak. If the universities were subjected much more …
… deal, as occurred with Kmart. The preceding suggests why a database like the one created by the Mackinac Center is desirable — and why government transparency on the MEGA program should remain a priority for policymakers. [*] This was not the only MEGA agreement with which Visteon was associated. In …
… program a "low" rating citing "[v]ery large expenditures; no comparative advantage in this [the film] industry."[172] The AEG study went on to cite transparency issues within the approval and reporting process by the Film Office, commenting, "Moreover, self-reported data and self-interested approval process …
… occurred with Kmart. The preceding example suggests why a database like the one created by the Mackinac Center is desirable — and why government transparency on the MEGA program should remain a priority for policymakers. [*] This was not the only MEGA agreement with which Visteon was associated. In …
… of its Michigan expenditures and still break even. Since the film incentive's creation last year, it has been an expensive program with little transparency. State tax credits to producers amounted to $48 million in 2008 and may reach $200 million annually in the near future. Nevertheless, the number …
… economic growth in our state.") Throughout the past year, a series of Mackinac Center videos and studies have diligently chronicled the need for transparency within the state's film incentive program. One would think that with such a generous film subsidy program — paid for by Michigan taxpayers — movie …
… expansion. Moreover, PPPs can enable the government to better serve the public interest by building roads more quickly and providing increased transparency as the public is privy to the terms of the contracts. Finally, residents can benefit from the private sector's expertise in technology, pricing …
… meeting on the Michigan Film Incentive, which gives tax rebates to filmmakers who shoot in the state, there was a discussion about the need for transparency. Some politicians were concerned about some of the embarrassing issues that have popped up in other states that offer similar incentives to filmmakers. …
… "qualified film and digital media infrastructure project." The amount of money involved in these film subsidy deals, combined with a historical lack of transparency on the part of involved state agencies, creates an atmosphere where taxpayers can often end up with a raw deal. In an effort to bring more light …
… "qualified film and digital media infrastructure project." The amount of money involved in these film subsidy deals, combined with a historical lack of transparency on the part of involved state agencies, creates an atmosphere where taxpayers can often end up with a raw deal. In an effort to bring more light …
… Neglect' Is the Rule at Embattled State Agency Lawmaker Says $150 Million in Unearned Tax Credits Given Out by State MEDC Failures Lead to Less Transparency Fact-Checking and Adding Context to the Governor’s Economic Diversity Speech Michigan Unemployment Woes Continue Despite Millions Spent on 'Economic …
… to post its "check register" online, as has been done in Missouri and some other states, which is considered the "gold standard" of government transparency initiatives. Complete Roll Call Vote Tally House Bill 4726, Ban license renewal if three unpaid parking tickets, failed in the Senate …
… Granholm's office has repeatedly refused to release this information. In 2008, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy's Show Michigan the Money transparency project asked the governor to place the names and salaries of all state employees on a state website. The Officer of the Governor replied that …
… BUSINESSES VOTE DOWN "GIVE AWAY" PROGRAMS Michigan #1 for Economic Development? THE MOST DANGEROUS VOICE IN THE HOUSE? MEDC needs accountability, transparency - Livingston Daily Editorial MEDC outdoes fiasco - Traverse City Record-Eagle Ann Arbor.com video: Gov. Granholm defends MEDC tax credits MEDC: …
… with whom he had built relationships and who he thought would be interested in a vibrant Freedom of Information Act statute. To him, government transparency was an issue for all of us. Rest in peace, Chet. Patrick Wright
… This may have led to some confusion over award numbers, according to Ed Pound, Director of communications for the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, which oversees Recovery.gov. Pound told the Mackinac Center his data team is working to trace the exact source of the error. "We (at Recovery.gov) …
… BUSINESSES VOTE DOWN "GIVE AWAY" PROGRAMS Michigan #1 for Economic Development? THE MOST DANGEROUS VOICE IN THE HOUSE? MEDC needs accountability, transparency - Livingston Daily Editorial MEDC outdoes fiasco - Traverse City Record-Eagle Ann Arbor.com video: Gov. Granholm defends MEDC tax credits
… given to legislators and the public must be substantiated and accurate in order to measure the effectiveness of any economic development program. Transparency, disclosure, and oversight are critical and will only happen if legislators remain vigilant and exercise their supervision responsibilities. Follow …
… Subsidy Hangar42 Studios' Incentives Raise Questions Film Noir Michael Moore and Subsidies: A Love-Hate Story Lawmakers Tackle Film Credit Transparency Michael Moore Inadvertently Makes Case Against Film Subsidies (Again) Analysis of Michigan Film Subsidies: Two Years, $117m - and No Film Job …
… 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 Communications Specialist at the Mackinac …
… Special Tax Breaks Hangar42 Studios' Incentives Raise Questions Michael Moore and Subsidies: A Love-Hate Story Lawmakers Tackle Film Credit Transparency Michael Moore Inadvertently Makes Case Against Film Subsidies (Again) Analysis of Michigan Film Subsidies: Two Years, $117m - and No Film Job …
… they’d campaigned against, the voters put them out on their ears.” Lehman explained how the Mackinac Center was employing new tools to increase transparency and hold politicians accountable. MichiganVotes.org, Michigan Capitol Confidential and investigative videos can equip the “people who are the most …
… creative accounting gimmicks are cheating taxpayers out of necessary information, and among other things highlight the need to strengthen government transparency and accountability. While the state has taken small steps in this direction, more can and should be done to enable taxpayers to quickly and easily …
… Rochester Schools Raise Pay, Report Cuts, and Blame Governor Does the Lansing School District Reall Pay 'Below the Poverty Line' for Teachers? Transparency Not Rapid For Kent Co. Transit Agency West Michigan School Super Claims Budget Cuts - But Do the Numbers Add Up? Decade of Cuts Is Claimed by …
… Rochester Schools Raise Pay, Report Cuts, and Blame Governor Does the Lansing School District Reall Pay 'Below the Poverty Line' for Teachers? Transparency Not Rapid For Kent Co. Transit Agency West Michigan School Super Claims Budget Cuts - But Do the Numbers Add Up? Decade of Cuts Is Claimed by …
… creative accounting gimmicks are cheating taxpayers out of necessary information, and among other things highlight the need to strengthen government transparency and accountability. While the state has taken small steps in this direction, more can and should be done to enable taxpayers to quickly and easily …
… Rochester Schools Raise Pay, Report Cuts, and Blame Governor Does the Lansing School District Reall Pay ‘Below the Poverty Line’ for Teachers? Transparency Not Rapid For Kent Co. Transit Agency West Michigan School Super Claims Budget Cuts - But Do the Numbers Add Up? Decade of Cuts Is Claimed by …
… Rochester Schools Raise Pay, Report Cuts, and Blame Governor Does the Lansing School District Reall Pay ‘Below the Poverty Line’ for Teachers? Transparency Not Rapid For Kent Co. Transit Agency West Michigan School Super Claims Budget Cuts — But Do the Numbers Add Up? Decade of Cuts Is Claimed by …
… Rochester Schools Raise Pay, Report Cuts, and Blame Governor Does the Lansing School District Reall Pay ‘Below the Poverty Line’ for Teachers? Transparency Not Rapid For Kent Co. Transit Agency West Michigan School Super Claims Budget Cuts — But Do the Numbers Add Up? Decade of Cuts Is Claimed by …
… and local incentives they are awarded. The MEDC is now doing so. The state will also stop touting “indirect” jobs numbers in MEDC reports, another transparency-enhancing idea. Instead, the MEDC will only count actual new jobs created by the specific business receiving the credit. The Legislature’s budget …
… of Michigan banner. A Washington, D.C., telephone number for news media inquiries is listed on both of the releases. At issue is H.R. 2681, the Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act of 2011, commonly referred to as the TRAIN Act. It would establish a committee, chaired by …
… bill could be reported out of committee soon,” said Rep. Joe Haveman, R-Holland, who sponsored HB 4929. “I hope it will. To me, it's an issue of transparency. I think there's a difference between someone actually writing a check and sending it in to a union and the union being able to have the money …
… Center’s biggest focuses and biggest successes. Two recently completed projects are significant contributions to the Center’s goals of increasing transparency and fiscal responsibility for the state’s largest expenditure — public schooling. The first is an online database of student achievement data …
… programs, dollar for dollar, up to $175,000. We use these funds to hold elected officials accountable to the residents they represent and bring greater transparency to all government activity. You can make a gift to either of these grants by using the enclosed reply envelope. Please make checks payable to …
… pass, the SEIU could still be forced to go through the entire unionization process again. However, this time it would likely have to be done with transparency. The Mackinac Center Legal Foundation is representing Patricia Haynes, of Macomb County, and Steven Glossop, of Isabella County in the case. Patricia …
… members' travel and training expenses at $150,000 per year, and $30,000 maximum per board member. The bill also proposes specific pension system transparency requirements; restricts payments to service providers who made large political contributions; increases limits on how much can be invested in real …
The Mackinac Center has made a name for itself by providing transparency to public schools, particularly in regards to fiscal operations. Recently, the Center took a step toward tackling socioeconomic factors in public education. It’s efforts produced “The Michigan Public High School Context and Performance …
… public-sector collective bargaining and to protect workers from coercive union monopolies. An advocate of accountable government, Reitz worked to promote transparency in state and local government, serving on the board of the Washington Coalition for Open Government. He frequently challenged public officials …
… decisions. Stop using taxpayer dollars to pay local union officials on government payrolls to perform union work on government time. Increase union transparency by requiring regular, detailed and independently audited income and spending disclosures. Even though it was defeated, it’s likely that Proposal …
… said in an email. "That money comes from the state without any requirement that new jobs are created. The House Democratic Caucus believes we need transparency and accountability in government, and we need economic development programs that actually work, not empty promises. The MEDC for far too long has …
… year, according to MLive. MLive reports that the charter public school opened several weeks late, missed testing deadlines and failed to meet transparency requirements. Buddy Morehouse, spokesperson for the Michigan Association of Public School Academies, told MLive that Bay Mill’s actions show …
… making a significant change, he really was giving a nod to doing the same old stuff. Perhaps inadvertently, Gov. Snyder made a key move toward transparency regarding Pure Michigan. He has blended it into the Michigan Economic Development Corp. to an extent that it is virtually impossible to separate …
… search warrant policy after drug raid near school playground,” Oct. 2, 2013 FURTHER READING: Michigan Capitol Confidential, “Lawmaker Seeks More Transparency for SWAT Team Raids," June 18, 2011
… the same time or taking courses online. Reform or abolish accreditation. It holds little value and is fraught with conflicts of interest and no transparency. "The big losers in the current system are poor people," Vedder said, noting that requiring more and more paperwork and adding regulations disproportionally …
… letter grades, but some adults seem to be afraid of the same principle being applied to them," Rep. Lund said. "We need to adopt a system that has transparency and accountability, and that's what this bill does." Rep. Hooker, who is a strong advocate of the Mackinac Center study, said he voted against …
… sort agencies in other states are paid." ~~~~~ See also: CapCon MEDC Coverage Thirty-One MEDC Salaries Top $100K Pressure Mounting For MEDC Transparency A Bipartisan Disaster: Michigan 'Corporate Welfare' Program Rolls On
… Michigan via the MEDC, which spends about $300 million, and the film incentive program, which spends $50 million. Rep. Kesto said he would support transparency — particularly concerning metrics — for the programs and more incentives to hire local Michigan employees, but would not commit to repealing either …
… the intermediate school district for Oakland County. It recently retweeted a post titled “Corporate America May Have the Answer for Dark Money Transparency.” While most school district Twitter accounts promote upcoming school events or awards won by staff, Oakland Schools has a liberal viewpoint in …
… that asked the state Legislature to develop school reform legislation that would create more enforcement involving laws regarding charter school transparency and accountability. When asked about the contracts, State Board of Education member Eileen Weiser said, "Michigan is a local control state, so …
… introducing legislation that would prevent the opening of new charter public schools until more laws are in place on charter school governance, transparency and accountability. Standing with them in support at a press conference were Reps. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, and Charles Brunner, D-Bay City, All …
… creation of any new charter public schools, according to MLive. Rep. Sarah Roberts, D-St. Clair Shores, said charter operators should meet the “same transparency and accountability requirements as all other schools,” MLive reported. Dan Quisenberry, president of the Michigan Association of Public School …
… 4001 allows agencies to recover the costs of producing records. Additionally, creative solutions to technological hurdles should result in more transparency — not less. For example, Jackson City Councilman Derek Dobies spearheaded an effort to adopt an open data policy in his city. HB 4001 received …
… at the wholesale level instead of at the pump and relies on revenue growth to maintain other spending. Taxing at the wholesale level reduces the transparency of that which is paid by motorists to support the state’s transportation infrastructure. Levying the tax at the pump would remind taxpayers of …
… checks, testing and training requirements, and more. Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” House Bill 4480, Require more corporate & developer subsidy transparency: Passed 37 to 0 in the Senate To require the Michigan Strategic Fund and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to annually submit and …
… subsidies exploded, redistributing about $500 million from state taxpayers to Hollywood producers since 2008. With many failed promises and little transparency, the MEDC granted long-term deals to favored firms, gifts that keep on taking from Michigan taxpayers. In 2014 alone, the cost was around $860 …
… debate. Restricting important facts or (as some still insist) “alleged facts” about wind energy to the province of “experts only” is an affront to transparency and an obstacle to open public discourse. The Legislature owes the people of Michigan a hearing or series of hearings on this issue. David Wand, …
… subsidies exploded, redistributing about $500 million from state taxpayers to Hollywood producers since 2008. With many failed promises and little transparency, the MEDC granted long-term deals to favored firms, gifts that keep on taking from Michigan taxpayers. In 2014 alone, the cost was around $860 …
… children and five grandchildren. He has seen charter school success through two generations. He addresses criticisms of charters including lack of transparency, for-profit management companies and too much “shopping around” for parents to find the right school. Danielle Henderson grew up attending Detroit …
… public. “If these are the rules, and people find it unacceptable, they need to change the rules,” Watkins said. “We need to have clear rules — transparency in government. People should know about it.” ~~~~~ See also: MEA Union President in Line for Six-Figure Government Pension $23K School Employee …
… 4508, 4499. A video replay of the event: ~~~~~ See also: Asset Forfeiture Package of Bills a 'Solid First Step' Legislature Considering More Transparency for Asset Forfeiture Michigan Should Follow Minnesota’s Example On Reforming Asset Forfeiture Law Property Doesn't Commit Crimes, People Do …
… evidence that MEDC programs, including Pure Michigan, are costly, grossly ineffective, invite cronyism and defy accepted expectations of public transparency. However, a pressing issue of the moment is whether the House road funding plan is to be judged for what it actually is or continue to be maligned …
… public formal sessions, what they were actually saying at the time was they thought universities needed to be held to an even higher standard of transparency than other governmental entities.” “Years later, [in 1976] the Open Meetings Act was adopted and it served us well until the 1999 Federated Publications …
… forfeiture proceeds on law enforcement’s behavior," said McGrath. The Michigan Legislature recently passed a package of bills that establishes transparency requirements and raises the standard of evidence before property can be forfeited to the government. But the state still allows civil forfeiture; …
… because she claimed not to have consented or known of her husband’s illegal activity involving the vehicle. Second, the state should require more transparency of law enforcement’s current use of forfeiture. The current reporting requirements are weak and do not provide enough information about how much …
… a seven-bill package that begins to rein in the potential for government abuse in the area of civil asset forfeiture. The new laws require more transparency and a higher standard of evidence before law enforcement agencies can take ownership of seized cash and property alleged to have been obtained …
… vote for unions every other year – the same time frame in which people vote for their legislators. Another concept that should be adopted is union transparency. Private sector unions, which are regulated by the federal government, must publish a variety of financial information through LM-2 forms they …
… collective bargaining; so-called union release time policies; binding arbitration mandates; legality of public employee strikes; contract negotiation transparency; union certification by current workers; workers' ability to opt-out our union membership; and so-called agency fees and paycheck protection provisions. …
… oversee or initiate corrective action, and contribute to public accountability.”[73] While this mandatory audit is useful and brings some element of transparency to how these programs are administered, it is not the same thing or nearly as valuable as performance targets or benchmarks. Setting performance …
… Michigan created the 21st Century Jobs Fund and its programs in 2005, which have failed to live up to expectations. The state refuses to abide by its transparency requirements and release information about who is getting state grants and how many jobs came of them. There is always a danger that lawmakers …
… this spending, almost always under single-source, no-bid contracts. The research products violate the core canons of valid scientific research — transparency and replicability. Independent scholars are unable to “check the work” of the MEDC’s consultants because their methods are kept secret. In other …
… just-released whistleblower report, reminiscent of the 2009 and 2011 “Climategate” scandal, has raised serious questions about the accuracy and transparency of climate change research federal agencies used to justify new greenhouse gas regulations. Known as the “Pausebuster,” the research in question …
… full penalties available under the law, costs and any other relief the Court deems just due to the university’s willful disregard of Michigan’s transparency laws. Featured media Open Records Law: U-M Cashes the Check But Fails to Deliver the Info University of Michigan Sued by Mackinac Center for …
… the nation when it comes to protecting the constitutional rights of citizens. In 2015, legislators passed a package of bills that created new transparency requirements for forfeited assets and raised the standard of evidence the government must meet before owning anyone’s property. As a result, we …
… funding. That consistent pressure is understandable, given that local efforts and spending are not well known or publicized. The apparent lack of transparency and dizzying number of local organizations involved makes tracking state and local projects challenging, to say the least. Although it’s hard …
… out of traditional public schools and gives it to for profit online and charter schools that don't face the same costs and don't have the same transparency requirements. I don't think that's fair, which is likely part of the reason why it seems to be stalled in the House. “I know education reformers …
… letter to the editor in the Petoskey News-Review gave a more balanced review of my presentation. The letter said Petoskey’s residents appreciated my transparency and my open support of free-market solutions to their particular policy issue. The author also thanked me for my suggestions to guide the council, …
… and beyond. Our research helped usher in significant reforms, including charter schools, right-to-work laws, tuition tax credits, privatization, transparency, tax relief and other education reforms. Mackinac Center ideas now live on in the Michigan Constitution, state statutes and public opinion. Mackinac’s …
… a little more accountability and certainly stronger coordination between the local destinations in the state of Michigan, and, all important - transparency.” The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing on the bills on Jan. 10, and a dozen private marketing bureaus submitted letters supporting them, …
… that awards are not passed out through the tax code, but instead appropriated annually during normal state budget processes. This improved the transparency of this spending.[10] The MBDP turned six years old in December 2017 and is the focus of this study. Our purpose is to evaluate the economic impact …
… local level, pension and retirement systems are facing a fiscal crisis,” said Adam Andrzejewski, founder of OpenTheBooks.com, in an email. “The transparency revolution is empowering citizens to hold government accountable like never before. OpenTheBooks is committed to giving the public the information …
… thousands if not millions of dollars to navigate the administrative and judicial labyrinth. At some point, it dawned on me that shining the light of transparency on what we saw as grave injustices and abuse of power by – no doubt mostly well-intentioned – government employees would never be enough. The situation …
… government accountable comes from FOIAs. When a government institution refuses to grant that information, they are standing in the way of complete transparency.” Edwards was one of the first scientists to call attention to the elevated lead levels in Flint’s water after being contacted by Flint resident …
… current binding laws on the Legislature when it draws districts. It must meet federal requirements, but that’s it. 3. Proposal 2 provides needed transparency to the process The process would be open and public. Current legislatively drawn districts get little more attention that a normal bill, of which …
… occupational licenses could soon get an overhaul from a package of bills recently introduced in the Legislature. The bills would impose greater transparency requirements on licensing authorities and prevent them from denying a license for a past criminal offense not directly related to the field of …
… being proposed is good policy and will provide relief for drivers — PIP choice, medical fee schedules, more intense anti-fraud efforts and greater transparency — one related issue is more problematic: restricting how insurers can price out the premiums they sell. Democrats, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, …
… He added that high rates also result from systemic abuses of the system, including ambulance-chasing; a lack of fee schedules, which eliminates transparency; and fraudulent claims. Rivera said he’s extremely optimistic about the auto insurance reforms recently signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. …
… been authorized to receive more. And what any company collects is considered confidential by the state, which is a travesty of basic government transparency and ought to be changed. All told, just $71 million has been approved in business subsidies in 2019. If that trend continues in 2020, the 2019-20 …
… been authorized to receive more. And what any company collects is considered confidential by the state, which is a travesty of basic government transparency and ought to be changed. All told, just $71 million in business subsidies was approved last year. If that trend continues in 2020, the 2019-20 …
… After all, 18 months of data will be available soon for another Indiana-style assessment. Barring an improvement in the quality, or at minimum the transparency, of MEPI’s analysis, a new Michigan-specific review should be treated with caution.
… COVID-19 crisis, the only consistencies in the Whitmer administration’s executive orders has been that they are predictably arbitrary and void of transparency.
… Michigan Charter Schools and Their Authorizers,” (Citizens Research Council of Michigan, Feb. 2020), 38-39, https://perma.cc/9DHA-3DFB. [15] “Transparency Regarding Educational Service Providers (ESPS) Allowed” (National Alliance for Public Charter Schools), https://perma.cc/MQ3M-D4QY. [16] “Improving …
