Bipartisan solution gives people access to more public information

State Rep. Roger Hauck submits his government transparency plan to the House enrolling clerk today.

State Rep. Roger Hauck, along with a bipartisan group of House colleagues, today introduced a comprehensive plan to increase the transparency of state government.
Hauck, of Union Township, said Michigan is one of a very few states that still exempts its governor, lieutenant governor and the Legislature from sunshine laws. The

House solution would remove these exemptions and make the government more accountable to the people of Michigan.

“I sponsored a similar government transparency plan last session that received unanimous approval in the House, but died before reaching the governor’s desk,” Hauck said. “This is not a fight I’m willing to give up. The people of Michigan deserve a government that’s open and accountable, and that remains one of my top priorities.”

The transparency plan will subject the Legislature to a new Legislative Open Records Act (LORA) and the governor and lieutenant governor to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

“I was more than willing to serve with openness and honesty as a Union Township Trustee, and I believe state representatives should be held to the same transparency standards,” Hauck said. “I’m here to represent the people of our district. They deserve access to information about the work I’m doing on their behalf.”

The plan, laid out in House Bills 4007-16, has been referred to the House Government Operations Committee for consideration.

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