Press Release: Michigan’s Transparency Network Faces Criticism Amid Lagging Performance
LANSING, MI – The Michigan Department of State is under scrutiny as the rollout of the new Michigan Transparency Network (MiTN) fails to meet expectations amid a $9 million overhaul. Department spokesperson Angela Benander acknowledged that the transition is “not where we expected to be,” though she assured that leadership is actively addressing the issues.
Launched to provide public access to campaign finance records, lobbyist spending, and lawmakers’ financial disclosures, MiTN has drawn complaints following recent campaign finance deadlines. Users report significant limitations, including inability to view lobbyists’ registered clients and truncated transaction descriptions, raising concerns about transparency.
Neil Thanedar, executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, emphasized that reduced access to critical information hampers investigative journalism and obscures potential corruption, stating, “Not having access to campaign finance tools for months impedes investigative journalism into the influence of money on politics.”
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, clarified that current limitations are a “temporary feature” as system upgrades are underway. Despite assurances of improvement in the coming months, the ongoing issues have drawn fire from legislators. Republican House Speaker Matt Hall called for oversight hearings to investigate the handling of the contract with Tyler Technologies, the firm responsible for the troubled system.
Despite the setback, Benson defended her office’s efforts to enhance governmental transparency, highlighting initiatives such as posting Freedom of Information Act requests online. However, her office is also dealing with a subpoena from the GOP-controlled Michigan House over allegations of insufficient cooperation regarding election training documents.
As Michigan navigates these challenges, the effectiveness of MiTN remains a pivotal issue for both the public and those advocating for more transparent governance.
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