by Chad Selweski Michigan s Legislature seems determined to retain the state s status as the least transparent, least ethical public body in the nation. The latest sleight of hand in Lansing is an effort by Republican leaders -– and some leading reformers on the left to bastardize legislation that would have ended a key proviso of state government secrecy.
Clear skies over a murky workplace (Photo: Nancy Derringer) Michigan remains one of only two states that don’t require state lawmakers to disclose their finances – business ownerships or partnerships, real estate, stocks – which would reveal legislators’ conflicts of interest. A previous bill to require full public disclosure of income and assets has been twisted into a secretive system where only a small committee of lawmakers could see the financial records that would be submitted by fellow legislators.
We should celebrate sunshine week, but work to expand open government laws sooeveningnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sooeveningnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
JUDY PUTNAM
But these are not usual times.
Today, open government laws are truly about life-and-death matters. We continue to fight the deadly coronavirus pandemic, struggle to come to grips with policing practices that discriminate against people of color and debate the election process that is so key to the survival of a democratic society.
This week is the 16th anniversary of Sunshine Week, established in 2005 by the American Society of News Editors, now called the News Leaders Association. Simply stated, it’s your right to know.
Across the country, citizens and journalists are using open government laws at the local, state and federal levels to request data on nursing home deaths from COVID-19, release investigations of police shootings, and provide information on federally funded small business loans. These are needed efforts to shed light on actions of public bodies.
But these are not usual times.
Today, open government laws are truly about life-and-death matters. We continue to fight the deadly coronavirus pandemic, struggle to come to grips with policing practices that discriminate against people of color and debate the election process that is so key to the survival of a democratic society.
This week is the 16th anniversary of Sunshine Week, established in 2005 by the American Society of News Editors, now called the News Leaders Association. Simply stated, it’s your right to know.
Across the country, citizens and journalists are using open government laws at the local, state and federal levels to request data on nursing home deaths from COVID-19, release investigations of police shootings, and provide information on federally funded small business loans. These are needed efforts to shed light on actions of public bodies.