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Transparency Policy

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Court Says U-M Must Release Documents Advising Whitmer About 2020 COVID Orders

Mackinac Center lawsuit another victory for government transparency

… lockdown orders. Today, in the latest victory for transparency and the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation, the … things,” said Steve Delie, the director of transparency and open government at the Mackinac Center. “Increased transparency is more critical than ever before. This decision …

Michigan House Ethics Committee has not met since June

Transparency legislation is languishing, vice-chair claims

… June. And its vice chair questions whether the committee will move on transparency legislation by year’s end. When the 102nd Michigan Legislature started … House ethics committee. “Today is 223 days since we introduced our transparency bills,” Kunse told Michigan Capitol Confidential Monday. “The governor …

Jobs Department’s Fake News: $10 Tax return for Every $1 in Subsidies

Program lacks transparency, too

… majority did not help a jurisdiction’s economy. The MBDP also lacks transparency. In its fiscal year 2016 annual report, the program’s administrators … lawmakers should call on them to justify their claims. People deserve transparency, not unjustified boasts about the results of favored programs.

Three Cheers for Michigan House Democrats

Questioning MEDC transparency is the right thing to do

… complained about the lack of transparency at Michigan’s department … troubled by the MEDC's lack of transparency and accountability. State … with the MEDC's lack of transparency. In a November 2012 Michigan … “MEDC Questioned About Its Transparency” Rep. Shirkey reported … to complain about MEDC transparency, or in recent years. Sen. …

State's Corporate Welfare Agency Tone Deaf to Requests for Transparency

MEDC treats transparency 'as an annoyance'

Making transparency a condition for receiving selective state … to provide much-needed transparency at the MEDC, companies … rights to provide public transparency concerning the agreement?” … MEDC has treated basic transparency as an annoyance rather … on the agency’s lack of transparency, an issue brought to the …

Fiscal Transparency Enhancements

Increased transparency in reporting where and how education … district-level financial transparency, the picture of how dollars … closer to the level of transparency prescribed under the federal … Colorado K12 Financial Transparency website clearly depicts … enhancements like greater online transparency of public data alone have …

Putting Patients First

Legislation increasing access to health providers, promoting price transparency, is on the move

… health care providers and services across the state and promote price transparency in hospital services. Traditionally, health professionals treated patients … providers. A bill recently passed in the Michigan House brings more transparency to health care costs by requiring hospitals to begin posting the prices …

Michigan’s Constitution Demands Transparency, No Matter the Wishes of Corporate Welfare Bureaucrats

Michigan Supreme Court should ensure transparency

… receives. This violates the governmental spending transparency that Michiganders demand from their government. … dollars. Michigan’s FOIA law explains that transparency is vital because it allows the people to “be … elected officials have failed to resolve this transparency problem. It is now up to the Michigan Supreme …

Michigan’s Constitution Demands Transparency, No Matter the Wishes of Corporate Welfare Bureaucrats

Michigan Supreme Court should ensure transparency

… receives. This violates the governmental spending transparency that Michiganders demand from their government. … dollars. Michigan’s FOIA law explains that transparency is vital because it allows the people to “be … elected officials have failed to resolve this transparency problem. It is now up to the Michigan Supreme …

Mackinac Center Announces 2024 Policy Priorities

Transparency, fiscal responsibility and removing barriers should be prioritized

MIDLAND, Mich. — Increasing government transparency, curbing corporate welfare programs and removing unnecessary regulatory hurdles are a just few of … bipartisan reforms the guide recommends include adding accountability and transparency to corporate welfare programs and refraining from creating new subsidy …

Center FOIA Expert Cited in Detroit News

Local governments object to transparency initiatives

… from local government entities,” for a recent story about the lack of transparency at all levels of government. Reitz has written previously about transparency and was the architect of a series of town hall meetings the Center hosted …

Civil Asset Forfeiture Laws Need Reform

Transparency, rule of law should be the focus

… House Bill 5081, which was passed out of the House Oversight Committee last June. It now sits on the House floor. This bill would provide more transparency for the assets seized — something extremely important because law enforcement agencies use seized assets to supplement their budgets. There are …

Transparency Bills A “Significant Step Forward”

Reitz interviewed by Michigan Radio

… interviewed on Michigan Radio’s “Stateside” program about the need for more transparency in the executive and legislative branches. Reitz joined host Cynthia … noting some changes need to be made to the LORA bills to ensure true transparency. “There are a couple of ideas that we’ve discussed in terms of improving …

Dodgy Metrics, No Real Accountability At Tax-Funded Tourism Marketing Program

Agency may have good reason to prefer Pure Michigan’s fluff to real transparency

… for us or ask its contractor to do so (although it is required to explain why it is not producing the document). Despite this, in the interest of transparency, our request asked MEDC to provide this information. It was our hope that MEDC would want to provide it to help support its claims of the program …

Union Transparency Study Featured in Daily Caller

Article details how disclosure can help members and expose corruption

Bringing Financial Transparency to Michigan's Public Sector Unions, a recent study published by the Mackinac Center, explains how holding public sector … their private sector counterparts could result in less corruption and transparency for members and the general public. The study outlines several examples …

Mackinac Center Wins FOIA Lawsuit Against the University of Michigan

Victory for government transparency, but school’s actions still concerning

… Center’s policy lead on open government and transparency. “For decades, the Mackinac Center has used … happy the court upheld the rule of law and transparency in government by ruling in our favor.” Over … has filed nearly a dozen lawsuits related to transparency, including two additional lawsuits against …

Virginia Election Result Highlights Opportunity for Michigan Parent Power

Curriculum transparency, scholarship accounts offer key solutions

… charter schools should post their curriculum materials online. Enhancing transparency in this way would help parents make informed decisions and promote greater … over their children’s education, scholarship accounts and curriculum transparency represent a potent policy combination.

Mackinac Center and Virginia Tech Professor Dr. Marc Edwards Sue Wayne State Over Flint Water Documents

The Mackinac Center Legal Foundation files case to help bring about further government transparency

… of Michigan. The goal was to provide greater transparency in the state's efforts to remediate and monitor … deserve full access to these public documents and transparency over what their tax dollars have produced. … information, they are standing in the way of complete transparency.” View the legal filing with the Court of …

Politician Embraces Center Idea

Oakland County Democrat Advocates Transparency

… D-Auburn Hills, of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners recently wrote in an Op-Ed for The Oakland Press that he embraces the Mackinac Center's transparency initiative and wants Oakland County to post expenditures online.

How CapCon Uses Transparency Laws to Hold Government Accountable

… maintains a website that rates the transparency of state and local governments, … government scrutiny. Government transparency laws are an important component … organization that favors greater transparency in government. We receive no government … Politician Who Attacked Government Transparency Groups Gets 'Bitten Back'

Political Reasons, Not Economic Ones, Keep Corporate Welfare Agency Alive

'Transparency' sidesteps real issue (but still worth pursuing)

… bother trying to inject transparency into the operations of … guessing game, because “transparency” as practiced by MEDC largely … the calls for meaningful transparency, which may seem like reaching … tree. Establishing real transparency standards could be of enduring … makes sense to focus on transparency. If the agency is going …

Let the Sun Shine In

Specific MEDC/MEGA Transparency Recommendations

… criminal wins an "incentive" deal, but the lack of transparency that characterizes this entire operation. … recommended specific reforms to correct this transparency deficit. If these hearings are about actually … practices. The contrast will be stark. LaFaive's transparency recommendations include: Restore an "All MEGA …

At What Point Does Being Nosy Deserve a Broken Nose?

Setting the Boundaries of Transparency

… s national movement for transparency seeks to put government … advocate for that very result. Transparency should never be defined … legitimate Jeffersonian goals of transparency; it means respecting individual … Thus, while Jeffersonian transparency seeks to empower private … would bring about less transparency, rather than more. Modern …

The Art of Public Records Requests

They Pave the Way to Transparency

… according to a Mackinac Center survey of state agencies’ commitment to transparency. The Mackinac Center embarked on a new project in June to measure how … needed, and we at the Mackinac Center will continue to promote sound transparency policy through lawsuits, model legislation, and studies to ensure that …

Cheers for Detroit Schools Transparency

District has come a long way

… subject to FOIA. Most are pretty good at responding to requests, especially with recent legislative changes requiring them to name someone as a transparency officer. I’m happy to add Detroit Public Schools Community District to the list of government entities that strive to serve taxpayers and residents …

Traverse City Schools Set Transparency Precedent

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 …

Media Covers McHugh's Committee Testimony

Few jobs, little transparency for Michigan corporate welfare machine

… Development Corp (MEDC), a nearly $3 billion increase from previous estimates. McHugh’s testimony also questioned the lack of economic development and transparency from the MEDC. The Mackinac Center has done hundreds of news articles and commentaries about the lack of jobs generated by the MEDC's Michigan …

Reporting or Promoting?

Why transparency of business subsidy programs shouldn’t be controlled by administrators

… Legislature needs to demand more transparency. The biggest problem is that, … improve their economic development transparency but ranked states based on what … subsidy deals. But Illinois’s transparency comes not from the programs’ administrators, … efforts. But taxpayers deserve transparency over the programs, and that requires …

Mackinac Center Announces 2023 Policy Priorities

Worker freedom, government transparency, rejecting corporate welfare are key issues

… freedom, creating a sound business climate and expanding government transparency at all levels are just a few of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy’s … defend pro-worker policies such as right-to-work, prevailing wage and transparency in collective bargaining agreements. Families and businesses are dealing …

Mackinac Center Releases 2020 Policy Recommendations

Top issues include criminal justice reforms, government transparency and fiscal responsibility

… voters’ top priorities, such as infrastructure repair, and not used for ineffective programs, such as corporate handouts. Another is government transparency, as Michigan is still one of the only states in the country that exempts its Legislature and governor from public documents disclosure. Reforms …

Why Mackinac Published Names and Wages of Government Workers in a Searchable Database

The information belongs to the people

… more and more government info to be made universally accessible. It's a factor of technology and related social expectation. In other words, more transparency is coming whether anyone likes it or not and if responsible people don't take charge of it, then irresponsible ones will. Working with government …

More Transparency on the Way in Michigan

Bills would subject legislators, governor to FOIA and require salaries be made public

… Week,” and some Michigan legislators are celebrating by introducing transparency bills. Almost the entire Michigan House has signaled support for a … their contracts, budget, superintendent’s salary and more. Broad-based transparency laws will often need a few exceptions. But governments should be as …

Wall Street Journal covers Mackinac Center FOIA case

Transparency and access to public records is at stake

… judge about Michigan’s public transparency law. Carol Beth Litkouhi, a parent … schools should be held to the same transparency standards as other public employees. … Center is appealing the ruling. Transparency from public officials is a core … ruling, as it significantly weakens transparency in Michigan.”

Michigan bills would bring transparency to earmark process

Tie-barred House bills aim to shed light on where taxpayer dollars are going and why

Two bills introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives would bring transparency to the state budget process. House bills 4750 and 4751 were introduced this month by Reps. Tom Kuhn, R-Troy, and Donni Steele, R-Orion. The bills are tie-barred together. Both bills must pass for either to be enacted …

Benefits of Switch Data Center Likely to be Exaggerated, Unverified

Transparency would end speculation on effects of tax exemption deal — and the deal itself

… routinely subject to meaningful public transparency, there might be a good chance of … routinely subject to meaningful public transparency, it’s likely the entire issue wouldn’t … long-standing failure to provide transparency regarding special deals of the … involved — to provide adequate transparency, there is no reason to expect it. …

MEDC asks $5,700 for nondisclosure agreements

Government-by-NDA has been business as usual in Michigan. But the Mackinac Center insists on transparency

… There could be as many as 5,572 single pages, or as few as 2,786 double-sided pages. How many agreements does that account for? We don’t know. Transparency is a Mackinac Center concern. When Gordon left the health department, Whitmer wasn’t paying him with her own funds; she was spending the people’s …

Michigan Needs Collective Bargaining Transparency

Government officials and employees should be more accountable to the people

… “been plagued by a lack of transparency.” In an effort to bring more transparency to the executive branch … local collective bargaining transparency. Other states, like Idaho … should be more financial transparency in Michigan’s public sector … a leader in government transparency by requiring public sector …

HONEST Act – EPA Science and Transparency

This should be ‘science 101’

… effort by Congress to impose transparency on the EPA. The Secret … and lawsuits, to force transparency on the agency. The institute’s … of the advisory board. Transparency in this area is absolutely … track record of calling for transparency from all levels of government … will bemoan demands for transparency in EPA science and peer-review …

It's Time to Expand Public Records Transparency

Reitz discusses Flint water crisis on Michigan Radio

… edition of Stateside on Michigan Radio to discuss the need for more transparency in government in light of what is happening in Flint. “The justification … governor’s office and state legislature are exempt from this public records transparency law. Reitz explained it is time to change this standard: We think generally …

Transparency

MEDC Questioned About Its Transparency

Questions about how tax dollars spent could warrant new legislation

… website also has a section on transparency, but Rep. Genetski and … in its apparent lack of transparency. "It seems like when they … of Gov. John Engler and transparency questions existed then. … Granholm, questions of transparency at MEDC reached a zenith. … office, it was aware of the transparency issues at the MEDC. A key …

Big D Gets a 'C-' for Transparency

The city of Detroit earns a C- for online transparency from Sunshine Review, a “pedia” site that rates thousands of local governments using a transparency checklist it developed. SR’s managers seem … yet with an “A.” For more information about transparency, visit the Mackinac Center’s “Show Michigan …

After Veto, Gov. Snyder's Commitment To Transparency Questioned

Governor vetoed bill passed unanimously by the Legislature

… Michigan a national leader in transparency and ethics." Considering … Snyder's commitment to transparency, his veto of House Bill … Republicans believe in transparency," Rep. LeBlanc said. "The … bill's aims of openness and transparency in government, it violates … Records How CapCon Uses Transparency Laws to Hold Government …

Multiple School Districts Breaking the Law On Transparency

Schools are required to post contracts, compensation information online

… Inkster Public Schools in Wayne County had no transparency icon on its website and was missing most of … ~~~~~ See also: Michigan Capitol Confidential Transparency Coverage How CapCon Uses Transparency Laws To Hold Government Accountable

News Release: Carman-Ainsworth, Lakeview, Birch Run School Districts Post Checkbooks Online

But spending transparency lacking for residents in West Michigan

… Michigan school districts have joined the fight for greater government transparency by opening their books, according to Ken Braun, director of the Mackinac … throughout the rest of Michigan, these districts have been resistant to transparency." #####

News Release: Huron Valley Schools Posts Check Register

Spending transparency in Oakland County continues to lead the way

… online, Oakland County leads the state with the best school spending transparency in Michigan. "We have worked hard to be good financial managers for … we want to hear from them." In addition to the strong commitment to transparency from schools in Oakland County, there are 10 districts in Wayne County …

Mackinac Center Sues Michigan State for Redacting Info About Megasite

University needs greater transparency and accountability in Eagle Township

… response. “This case represents yet another example of Michigan’s lack of transparency,” said Steve Delie, director of transparency and open government at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. “The Eagle …

State Checkbook Still Missing From Internet (revised version)

State rejects transparency despite minimal cost

… Information Age places such transparency within our grasp, a detailed … "Show Michigan the Money" transparency project (www.mackinac.org/10694.) … annually to keep this whole transparency project running.  These … the "gold standard" of transparency set by Missouri (a state … Show Michigan the Money transparency project and the senior …

FOIA exemptions for Michigan governor, lawmakers breed distrust

Transparency demands that FOIA apply to the governor and the legislature

… message, even if asked in a FOIA request. Lack of transparency breeds distrust. Distrust produces speculation, … she declared she would work to ensure full transparency in state government. That never happened. … about the confusion that comes from a lack of transparency: This lack of information is surprising, because …

Q&A With the MEDC: Verifying Jobs Resulting From Special Government Favors

State Reps call for greater transparency or elimination of program

… to assure a greater degree of transparency at the MEDC. "Clearly, as the … there is a significant lack of transparency at MEDC," Rep. Switalski said. … serves to show that there was no transparency and no accountability, but it brings … $100K Pressure Mounting For MEDC Transparency A Bipartisan Disaster: Michigan …

Mackinac Center Sues State in Latest Transparency Lawsuit

Licensing agency has ignored FOIA law for months

… filed its latest lawsuit related to government transparency, suing the state after the Michigan Department … documents. “Gov. Whitmer came into office promising transparency, even signing an executive order for state … the latest in lawsuits related to government transparency filed by the Mackinac Center. Successful lawsuits …

Government Transparency Groups Announce Database of Public Employee Salaries

Website contains salary info of nearly 300,000 government workers for each of the past three years

… and all state police officers and judges. “As part of our government transparency project, the Mackinac Center often obtains data on the compensation … offer this database as a service to taxpayers and other watchdogs.” "Transparency and accountability are what we expect and the law requires from our …

Corporate Welfare Agencies Need Greater Transparency, Accountability

Government should be freely giving as much data as it reasonably can

… example of the benefits of the transparency laws promoted by Sunshine Week … example of a government lacking transparency. In Indiana, a judge ruled that … been a poster child for needed transparency reform. The state’s corporate … responsive to its people, thanks to transparency. Citizens need to take an interest …

Michigan Supreme Court Should Demand Transparency in Corporate Welfare Case

In a brief requested by the court, Mackinac Center and Michigan Press Association says state violates constitutional requirements

… records,” said Patrick J. Wright, vice president of legal affairs at the Mackinac Center. “The Michigan Supreme Court should hear this case and uphold transparency, particularly when we’re discussing budget-busting items costing billions of dollars.” The Mackinac Center has tracked Michigan’s corporate welfare …

Michigan Government Salaries Database Shows Value of Transparency

Public records now at public’s fingertips

The value of government transparency and the need for more of it has been on full display since the … public employees. “As part of our government transparency project, the Mackinac Center often obtains … the LSJ once did — may upset some people, but transparency is justified. “The bottom line is that public …

The MEDC’s Pure Michigan Puffery: Part II

Reforms could make agency more credible

… economic development agency, has come under criticism for its lack of transparency, which most recently was exhibited in a claim that its Pure Michigan … seriously then they must overhaul the agency’s culture into one of authentic transparency and intellectual forthrightness. Whether they want to do that or not, …

What Michigan Government Lacks in Transparency

Billions in business subsidies still can’t be disclosed

… subsidy payments. The state makes available a treasure trove of information on most of its spending, but mum’s the word when it comes to providing transparency on this “economic development” money. From 1995 to 2011, state economic development officials selected several hundred businesses to get tax credits …

Show Michigan the Money

… policy analyst for the Mackinac Center, was a guest on "The Frank Beckmann Show" on WJR. He discussed the Center’s expanded efforts at promoting transparency at all levels of government so that taxpayers can better see how their money is spent. The interview is 2 minutes and 39 seconds.

'Secretive Obama Administration' Official to Kick Off Event on Transparency

Legal scholar says Attorney General Holder's participation in Wayne State event is 'the height of hypocrisy'

… complicate the discussion on the transparency of a presidential administration. … lot of good things in terms of transparency, but some of the worst have been … often been a bigger barrier to transparency than enabling it. Obama's DOJ has … asked to speak at an event about transparency. "I think it is the height of …

‘Everything is broken’: Michigan lawmaker bemoans lack of transparency in budget process

If there is anything worse than bipartisanship, it is one-party rule.

… While the current cast of Republicans are frustrated by the lack of transparency, their previous leaders have also engaged in political antics that did … process to make sure every voice is heard? What better time to model transparency in government? And who better than our lawmakers to model for the people …

Mackinac Center Settles Transparency Lawsuit with DEQ

Legislative clarity still needed for FOIA timeliness

… response time. “People have a right to timely transparency from their government,” said Patrick Wright, … important issue is ambiguity in the state’s transparency laws. “Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act … a serious problem that has led to a lack of transparency in multiple government offices,” Wright said. …

Despite talk of transparency, in 2023 Lansing is opaque as ever

Word and deed are in conflict in the state capital

Michigan Democrats declared last November that they would provide transparency in state government. Elected Democrats stood shoulder-to-shoulder on Mackinac Island in June and declared new transparency laws were coming to Lansing. “Our government must be transparent and …

They Won’t Tell You Who is Getting YOUR Money

Transparency-talking politicians make taxpayers beg for staff names and salaries

… behavior. As media and transparency advocates take notice of … of government spending transparency. Like the villain with … championing state spending transparency, you would expect that … Jennifer Granholm was talking transparency almost as soon as she took … information to increase the transparency of state contractual activities." …

Lawmakers Poised To Continue Corporate Welfare Fund

Program track record includes inaccurate job creation claims, little transparency

… does provide additional transparency. We will continue to work … going but with greater transparency. That part of the legislation … potential to provide greater transparency, although in its initial … it would provide greater transparency. In the fall of 2013, … Bill 4480, the so-called transparency bill in the package, was …

Lack of Transparency at MEDC, MEGA

… LaFaive, director of the Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative, about the need for transparency within government-run economic development programs. LaFaive has addressed … information from escaping," LaFaive told the newspapers. Recent problems with transparency at the MEDC include RASCO, Hangar42 and GlobalWatt.

Mackinac Center Asks Oakland County School Districts to Publish Their Checkbook Registers

Oakland ISD and Clawson Public Schools applauded for their spending transparency

… think tank hopes each of the county's districts will commit to checkbook transparency before school opens this fall. "Clawson and the Oakland ISD took it … Project. "They deserve a lot of credit for stepping up early and making transparency a priority. We'd love to praise every district in Oakland County and …

News Release: Four Mid-Michigan Public School Districts Open Books

Gladwin acknowledges 'responsibility' to embrace transparency; resident's effort gets Clare on board

… districts — Gladwin, Clare, Frankenmuth and Coleman — have joined a growing transparency effort by publishing their checkbook registers online, said Ken Braun, … Ghazey Aleck launched a Web site to push the school district toward transparency. "I noticed a disturbing trend," said Aleck. "The school was holding …

Michigan Legislature Should Support Greater Government Transparency

Mackinac Center testifies in support of Senate Bills 669 and 670

… 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. …

House Panel Likely to Approve FOIA Reforms

Legislation designed to rein in unjustified fees, increase government transparency

… a modernization of the FOIA law that focuses on standardization and transparency," said Rep. Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, the bill's sponsor. "The bill … respond to a request for comment. ~~~~~ See also: How CapCon Uses Transparency Laws To Hold Government Accountable Government Entities Stymie FOIA …

Locked-Down Gym Owner To Governor: ‘We Are Not Just Businesses, We Are People’

She doesn’t want to break the law but does want government transparency

… Carroll admitted that she is “on the verge of breaking.” She wrote, “I do NOT want to go against government orders,” but does want government transparency. “I want a reopen date and a plan that I can prepare for,” she wrote. “I want guidance on how I can operate my business in the new normal, within …

Legislature considers reining in emergency powers

Slate of House bills would impose time limits, transparency and legislative oversight

… power and too little accountability. Alexander’s legislative package, House bills 6184 - 6214, would curb the abuses by providing time limits, transparency, legislative oversight, and other limits on executive and departmental powers during an emergency. “Our plan applies lessons learned regarding …

MSU loses claim that student privacy trumps transparency law

Universities increasingly cite federal privacy law to withhold information

… related to a controversy involving one of its officials. Last month, it lost in a Michigan Court of Appeals ruling that an advocate for government transparency applauded. In 2020 the Graduate Employees Union at Michigan State University called on MSU to remove Stephen Hsu, the university’s senior vice …

Schools Start to Comply With Transparency Law

… Michigan are complying with a new state law aimed at providing better transparency of how tax dollars are spent. The Flint Journal reported that 51 percent … insurance costs, school district checkbook registers and other government transparency initiatives.

City Sued For Violating Public Records Law

City of Warren refuses to disclose salary information for individual employees

… failure to provide this information demonstrates a disregard for public transparency,” said Steve Delie, the Mackinac Center’s lead expert on transparency and open government. “The names and salaries of public employees have …

Demanding More Transparency in Government

… Mackinac Center's rallying cry for government transparency: "Show Michigan the Money." Partly thanks to … checks written. It’s a movement toward more transparency that all schools districts — all governments … recent move to increase public school districts' transparency is a bit behind the times, the Times asks, …

What Economic Development Transparency Should Look Like

… other "legacy" corporate welfare programs must provide much greater transparency. Taxpayers should be able to see what they've gotten for the special … economic development programs, legislators need to insist on some basic transparency principles. That's just common sense. ##### James Hohman is assistant …

Michigan Cannot Determine Whether Some COVID-19 Deaths Originated at Nursing Homes

Charlie LeDuff settles FOIA lawsuit against the state health department

… MDHHS chose to produce this data without further litigation,” said Steve Delie, an attorney and the Mackinac Center’s FOIA expert. “Government transparency is essential, particularly during a pandemic, and we will continue to represent individuals like Mr. LeDuff to ensure the public has full and complete …

How to Improve Economic Development Transparency

State considers changes to economic development disclosure

The state is looking to improve its transparency and is targeting its economic development reports, according to MIRS, a Lansing-insider newsletter. … welfare deals are questionable in their effectiveness, but the lack of transparency about them is outrageous. Although this information used to be made …

U-M Refuses to Disclose Its President's Politicking

… 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 …

As Conventional Public Schools Fail Transparency Law, Charters are Targeted

Pontiac Public Schools posts teachers' contract that expired in 2011

… 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 …

Legislature Adopts Center's Quest for Transparency

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 …