Proposed FOIA Amendment Applauded By Supporters

Legislators and advocacy groups alike are applauding the announcement of legislation to open the governor’s office to Freedom of Information Act requests.

A bi-partisan group of lawmakers is backing the plan which would also create a separate Legislative Open Records Act.

It would work in much the same way FOIA does, but exempts communications with constituents, human resource files and bill drafting.

House Speaker Kevin Cotter says it’s a proposal his chamber can work with, and is the best proposal to reform FOIA he’s seen to date.

Lonnie Scott of the liberal advocacy group Progress Michigan says he’s thankful that Republicans, after significant public pressure, have seen the value in a government that is open and transparent.

Brandon Dillon, Michigan Democratic Party chair, says public pressure and repeated calls from Democrats forced Republican legislators to do the right thing and expand FOIA.