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Rep. Webber: Vote promotes transparency, accountability in state government
RELEASE|March 19, 2019

State Rep. Michael Webber today voted in favor of a plan subjecting the Legislature and the governor to open records laws, a key step in making state government more accountable and responsive to the people it represents.

The Michigan House unanimously approved the multi-bill package, sending its main components to the Senate for further consideration.

Michigan is one of just two states that still exempts its Legislature and governor from open records laws. The bipartisan solution approved by the House would end these exemptions and increase transparency in state government – making state legislators and the governor subject to the same type of disclosure laws already followed by public schools and local governments.

“I was always subject to open records laws when I served on the Rochester Hills city council, and I feel very strongly that the same rules should apply now that I’m a state legislator,” Webber said. “Government should be open, accountable and responsive at all levels. This package gets Michigan’s state government moving in the right direction when it comes to doing what’s right for taxpayers and all residents.”

Webber noted this is the third time he has voted in favor of a similar package. He called on the Senate and the governor to help finalize the proposal and make it part of state law.

The proposal will subject state representatives and senators to the same high standards of the Freedom of Information Act by creating the Legislative Open Records Act (LORA). The governor and lieutenant governor would be subject to FOIA.

While LORA mirrors FOIA in many ways, there are exemptions to protect the privacy and personal information of residents who contact their state lawmakers for assistance on personal matters. Other types of communications – including those lawmakers have with state departments and lobbyists – would not be exempt from public disclosure.

 

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The legislation approved today includes House Bills 4007-4013 and 4015-16.

 

 

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