Michigan Senate Passes Bills to Expand Freedom of Information Act
On Wednesday, the Michigan Senate took a significant step towards applying the state’s open records laws to the governor and the Legislature by passing bills to expand the Freedom of Information Act. Michigan is one of the few states that currently do not allow FOIA requests for the governor or lawmakers, despite ongoing efforts to change this. Senator Jeremy Moss, who has been working on the bipartisan legislation for years, emphasized the need for stronger FOIA laws, especially in light of corruption scandals among lawmakers.
Critics of the bills argue that they contain too many exceptions, such as for policy recommendations and records held by the governor for fewer than 30 days. However, supporters defend these carve-outs as necessary for the policymaking process. State Senator Jim Runestad expressed his concerns that the bills may not go far enough in promoting government transparency, but ultimately voted in favor of them.
The bill package ultimately passed the Senate with only two votes against it, but it faces an uncertain future in the House. Republican House Speaker Matt Hall has indicated that there will not be “fast action” on the bills, focusing instead on creating more transparency in the budget process. However, Senator Ed McBroom, a co-sponsor of the package, remains optimistic about garnering support in the House. Overall, the passage of these bills represents a significant step towards increasing government transparency in Michigan.
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