Michigan Legislature Advances Transparency Reforms
Lansing, MI – In a significant move toward enhancing government transparency, the Michigan House has unanimously adopted new rules requiring lawmakers to publicly disclose their sponsorship of budget earmarks, commonly known as "pet projects," prior to any votes. This initiative aims to provide taxpayers with clear insights into how their funds are allocated. (bridgemi.com)
Under the new House rules, lawmakers must submit funding requests to the House Business Office at least 14 days before any votes. These requests will be posted online ahead of the budget deadline—by May 1 of this year, or by April 1 in future years. Sponsoring lawmakers are also required to explain how the proposed earmark will benefit the public and identify the organization receiving the grant. (bridgemi.com)
Additionally, the Michigan Senate has advanced legislation to expand the state’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to include the governor’s office and the legislature. Currently, Michigan is one of only two states where these branches are exempt from public records requests, a situation that has drawn criticism for lacking transparency. The proposed bills would allow citizens and journalists to request emails and other records from these offices, aiming to increase openness in governance. (bridgemi.com)
While the Senate has passed the FOIA expansion bills, they now move to the House for further consideration. The earmark transparency rules have been implemented in the House, marking a significant step toward greater accountability in Michigan’s state government.
These reforms reflect a bipartisan effort to enhance transparency and accountability within Michigan’s government, ensuring that taxpayers have greater insight into legislative processes and the allocation of public funds.
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