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House panel approves Rep. Glenn’s transparency plan during Sunshine Week
RELEASE|March 13, 2019

State Rep. Annette Glenn’s plan to make state government more accountable to the people of Michigan was approved Tuesday by the House Government Operations Committee.

Glenn, of Midland, said the committee’s approval coincides with Sunshine Week, a national initiative celebrating the important role openness and accountability plays in our system of government.

“Year after year, Michigan receives a failing grade when it comes to government transparency,” Glenn said. “We can put an end to that by expanding public disclosure laws to the governor and legislators.”

Michigan is one of just two states that still exempts its governor, lieutenant governor and the Legislature from sunshine laws. Glenn’s legislation is part of a bipartisan plan to end these exemptions and increase transparency in state government.

The proposal will subject the governor and lieutenant governor to FOIA and hold state representatives and senators to the same high standard by creating a new law called the Legislative Open Records Act (LORA).

While LORA mirrors FOIA in many ways, there are exemptions for constituent inquiries to ensure that personal information is protected and kept private. Other communications lawmakers have with state departments and lobbyists would not be exempt.

House Bills 4007-4016 now advance to the full House for consideration.

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