Michigan lags nation in government transparency. Lawmakers promise change | Bridge Michigan

Michigan is one of two states that exempts the Legislature and governor’s office from records requests.

Lawmakers vow to take up FOIA expansion, other transparency measures in coming months.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said she supports expanding public records laws, but she has not yet honored her 2018 pledge to open her own office up to public record requests if the Legislature did not change the law.

Rep. Erin Byrnes, a first-term Dearborn Democrat, is chairing the House Ethics and Oversight Committee.

She is also interested in looking at ways to improve existing Freedom of Information Act policies.

“My goal for this term is just to take Michigan from a failing grade to an A+ in ethics,” she said.