LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – As some Michigan legislators petition for more transparency in state government, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced a new portal to help address some of the concerns. 

What is the new portal?

The new platform, the Michigan Transparency Network (MiTN), pronounced “Mitten” according to the office of Secretary Benson, will serve as the state’s new online personal financial disclosure system that requires elected officials, candidates, and their spouses to publicly report details of their finances for the first time. 

MORE NEWS: Howell’s Lewis Given Weekly Lions Coach of the Week Award

“This week is Sunshine Week, when we focus on ethics in government, shine a light on dark money in politics, and prevent public corruption,” Secretary Benson said. “Transparency in government is one of my top priorities, and this new online system is a strong step forward toward more open and accessible leadership. I will continue to work with partners in the Legislature to enact meaningful ethics reforms to make Michigan’s government even more accountable to the people we serve.”

The system facilitates Proposal 1 rules.

After Michigan adopted Proposal 1 in 2022, the state constitution now requires the establishment of personal financial disclosure requirements for a number of political offices. Before it was passed, Michigan was one of two states that did not require elected officials to disclose their finances to the public according to the office of Benson. Under the new rules, the Bureau of Elections is responsible for the creation and maintenance of an online system for these reports. 

“Under the new laws, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Senators, and State Representatives are required to file financial disclosure reports with MiTN,” according to Benson’s Office. “Candidates for these positions must also file reports. A limited amount of financial information for the spouses of officials and candidates must also be reported.”

The law also requires that individuals report for 13 categories of financial information, including: employers and earned income, assets, securities and investments, and financial interests with state contracts. Public officials currently in office also must report their interactions with lobbyists.

The Bureau of Elections will be sending communications to those required to file reports, as well as hosting training sessions in the near future, according to Sec. of State Jocelyn Benson’s office. 

The deadline to file reports is April 15, 2024, for currently serving public officers, the deadlines  and May 15, 2024, for candidates. These reports will be made available to the public. 

Legislators push for heightened transparency outside finance reporting.

MORE NEWS: Poll: Nearly Half of Voters Think Officials Involved in Election Fraud

This week marks the sixth Sunshine Week under Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s administration, and for some House Representatives, an opportunity to increase greater transparency for government officials in the realm of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). 

“Michigan transparency falls short when it comes to state departments’ interpretations of statutory requirements and their responses — or lack thereof — to people who request public records,” Republican Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) said in a letter to Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit). “The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is supposed to ensure public access to government records, and it’s worrisome that there are gaps in how information is shared and communicated with the public. We need measures to ensure that our leaders are held accountable and that everyone has access to information necessary for informed decision-making.”

What’s in the package of bills?

Part of a package of bills, HB 5422-5427 would establish a commission to oversee FOIA requests from state government and responses to the public. 

“It’s not just to facilitate requests but also to set standards and serve as a watchdog over how FOIA requests are being handled at all levels of government,” Rep. Tom Kuhn (R-Troy) said in an interview with Michigan News Source. “It was modeled on the Iowa open government package, and that’s worked very effectively for them to help ensure greater openness and greater transparency.”

The bills await further discussion in the House Committee on Government Operations.