Twenty-two years ago Michigan lawmakers did something no 21st century Legislature would probably even dream of -- assuming the lobbyists and party hacks who really run Lansing would let them even consider it.
In 1976 those lawmakers passed into law Michigan's Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act, giving -- in theory at least -- Michigan citizens the right to kick open the closed doors, let the sunshine in, and find out what their local and state governments are actually doing.
Considering the mismanagement, sweetheart deals and good-ol'-boyism that journalists and citizen activists continue to uncover almost every day with the aid of the FOIA and the OMA, it's downright scary to think of civic life without them. They are the tools of last resort, citizens' dynamite; both are being recognized during Sunshine Week, a national celebration of citizen dominion over their government.
The Record-Eagle and many average citizens have filed dozens of Freedom of Information and Open Meetings Act requests with local governments in recent years in an effort to strip away the spin and reveal what lawmakers are really voting and spending taxpayer money on, what they're really paid and the truth behind a new ordinance or contract.
The value of the two acts can be measured, in part at least, by results.
-- A Record-Eagle FOIA revealed that Traverse City officials were in talks with downstate developer Federated Properties about partnering in a west side parking deck.
-- A FOIA revealed that Garfield Township in 2005 spent nearly $1 million in reserves to cover up overspending; the vote didn't even appear on minutes from the meeting.
-- A FOIA revealed developers of the proposed Petoskey Pointe project got state money based largely on fraudulent soil test results.
-- FOIA requests showed Bay Area Transportation Authority auditors had raised concerns about the agency's books.
-- It took a FOIA request to find out Frankfort schools spent $40,000 to settle a racial discrimination case.
-- A Kalkaska village trustee used a FOIA request to find out which village police officer was writing all those traffic tickets.
The examples are legion.
Most recently, the Legislature passed a special exemption to the Freedom of Information Act that would allow the two major political parties, but not the public, to see Jan. 15 presidential primary voter lists. The lists include information on which primary (Democrat or Republican) a voter cast a ballot; it was the first time in the state's history that records were kept on individuals' party preference.
It was a perfect example of why the FOIA and the OMA must be kept as free of politics as possible. Any meddling by lawmakers is as sure as death and taxes to weaken the act and public oversight of what is done in the public's name. Tell your lawmakers to keep their mitts off, now and forever.
For more information on the acts visit: michigan.gov/ag/0,1607,7-164-17337_18160---,00.html
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