Pontiac Times

House Republicans in Michigan have put forth a plan to enhance transparency in state government by expanding the scope of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to cover all branches of the government. The proposed legislation establishes the Open Government Commission, which will be responsible for overseeing FOIA requests and appeals. State Representative Tom Kuhn, along with several other representatives, introduced the plan.

Kuhn emphasized the need for transparency, stating, "All of our state government needs to be subject to FOIA requests, plain and simple. There are two states in our country that exempt their Legislature and governor from FOIA requests, and we're one of them. This lack of transparency and accountability is completely unacceptable. Our plan allows for added public oversight of all government and increases penalties for non-compliant public bodies."

Under the proposed plan, the Open Government Commission would have the authority to review all FOIA requests related to the state Legislature and governor's office. The commission would consist of appointees representing various political and media entities, ensuring a fair process. It would also possess the power to investigate complaints, issue binding opinions, and impose penalties.

Representative Jaime Greene stressed the importance of transparency, saying, "Transparency isn't just a buzzword—it's a guiding principle that should be present in every decision our elected officials make on behalf of the people they serve. I am committed to ensuring that every resident has access to the information they need to hold their elected officials accountable."

The proposed legislation, House Bills 5422-5427, aims to establish a specific time frame for governments to produce records and increase fines and penalties for public bodies that fail to comply with FOIA requests. It also strengthens the ability of individuals to take civil action when the government improperly withholds information.

Representative Mark Tisdel highlighted the shortcomings of Michigan's current transparency laws, stating, "Michigan's transparency laws fall woefully short—making it hard for Michiganders to hold their government accountable. The government records of our highest-ranking elected officials aren't disclosed at all. Meanwhile, citizens' legitimate transparency requests get stonewalled as bureaucrats drag their feet and exploit vague laws to keep the people of Michigan in the dark. This common-sense plan will clarify, modernize, and expand our Freedom of Information Act to give Michiganders the real transparency they deserve."

The speaker of the Michigan House recently faced criticism for denying a request to release the guest list for the governor's State of the State address. Under Representative Kuhn's plan, this information would be subject to a FOIA request.

Representative Donni Steele emphasized the importance of transparency in state politics, stating, "We come to Lansing to serve the people who put us here; those people should be able to access information about how we're using our offices to best represent our communities. When politicians operate in the shadows, the public is always the last to find out. This plan would change that and prioritize transparency, not dark money, in state politics."

Representative David Martin, who previously served as a Genesee County Commissioner, shared his perspective on the proposed changes, saying, "As a Genesee County Commissioner, I was accountable and transparent to Michigan taxpayers by being subject to FOIA. The changes we've proposed will make it easier and more accessible for people to access important information that shines a light on how government operates."

In conclusion, House Republicans in Michigan have introduced a plan to enhance transparency in state government by expanding the scope of the Freedom of Information Act. The proposed legislation aims to bring all branches of the government under FOIA requests and establish the Open Government Commission to oversee the process. The plan also includes measures to increase penalties for non-compliant public bodies and strengthen the ability of individuals to take civil action. The proposed changes aim to provide Michigan residents with the transparency they deserve and hold elected officials accountable.