From The Oakland Press: When Oakland Township resident Marc Edwards was curious to know what official business his township officials were discussing via email, he decided to send a Freedom of Information Act request to the township to obtain documentation.
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Read More… from Michigan legislation would limit Freedom of Information Act costs for public
From Michigan Coalition for Open Government: The Michigan Coalition for Open Government is proud to announce our new tax-exempt status.
We received notification on June 3, 2013, from the Small Business Clinic at Michigan State University’s Law College that our application has been approved by the IRS.
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Read More… from IRS approves MiCOG as tax-exempt organization
A few state FOIA and local open government news items selected from many of interest that we might or might not have drawn attention to earlier in the week.
While you're at it, be sure to check out State FOIA Friday Archives and check out content from this year's FOI Summit at the 2013 FOI Summit Wrap-up.
The danger next door: Public often kept in the dark about stockpiles of explosive materials
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From Michigan Capitol Confidential: The Michigan Department of Education said the least expensive employee able to fulfill a specific Freedom of Information Act request has a total compensation of $116,917 a year.
In 2009, the Michigan State Police said in a FOIA response to the Mackinac Center for Public Policy that materials related to the spending of Homeland Security grants would cost $6.8 million.
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Read More… from Michigan government entities stymie FOIA requests to hide information
From The Detroit News: Under state law, the only time the public gets to peek inside the inner workings of the Governor’s Office is when its staffers send emails to employees of other state agencies, which are subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
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Read More… from Political insider: Gov’s staff emails have scent of ‘skunk works’
From Lansing State Journal: Michigan lawmakers say they’re trying to find middle ground between citizens, journalists, businesses and advocacy organizations who want easier, less costly access to public information and the local governments and law enforcement agencies that say transparency laws are too burdensome.
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Read More… from Freedom of Information bills go before Michigan House panel
From mLive.com:
“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” — Luke 12: 48
Dear State Officeholder:
Please set aside the archaic sexism of the verse I’ve quoted to introduce this letter. Our world has evolved, I know, but I thought this bit of scripture was superbly eloquent in capturing much of the reason we’re observing Sunshine Week.
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From Detroit Free Press:
LANSING — Michigan’s top elections official wants to require political campaigns to report financial contributions within 48 hours after they receive them, one of several proposals aimed at giving voters nearly real-time information about the money behind the candidates.
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Read More… from Ruth Johnson offers Sunshine Week push for more election transparency in Michigan
