LANSING (WKZO-AM) — State Sen. Margaret O’Brien, R-Portage, says she’s throwing her full support behind a series of House bills that would subject the state, the governor’s office and the legislature to regulations similar to the Freedom of Information Act.
O’Brien began work on transparency legislation with Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker, R-Lawton, after two non-profit agencies gave Michigan failing grades on the matter. However, they stopped after learning better bills were being drafted in the House.
“We hope the bills can pass through the House and we look forward to seeing them in the Senate,” O’Brien said.
The legislation would allow people to ask for emails and letters from agencies and officials, but not from constituents.
“But if the governor wrote the constituent back, that would not be shielded,” O’Brien said. “The governor’s office or the legislature, if they’re emailing each other, those are open to the public.”
The package was introduced Thursday.
