(MPRN-Lansing) An effort to expand Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act could move forward this week in the state legislature.
The 40-year-old law covers local governments and state departments, but not the governor’s office or the Legislature.
A bipartisan effort to open up the law was spurred in part by public interest in the events leading up to the Flint water crisis. A state House committee is expected to vote tomorrow to repeal exemptions that shield the governor and legislative offices from records requests.
Open government advocates say the bills are a good start, but would like to see some changes. One of them is how to appeal denials – allowing them to go to court instead of a legislative employee.