Rep. LaFave takes key role in effort to boost government accountability

State Rep. Beau LaFave of Iron Mountain today was among the leaders of a bipartisan effort aimed at making Michigan’s state government more accountable and open.

LaFave joined House members from across the state announcing a plan to make Michigan’s governor and lieutenant governor subject to the Freedom of Information Act. The proposal also calls for a similar disclosure requirement for state representatives and senators, called the Legislative Open Records Act.

The bills are similar to ones approved by the House last session, but the legislation did not reach the governor’s desk for approval.
LaFave sponsors one of the 11 bills in

the new legislative package. His measure details the procedures for requesting records and responding to requests, paralleling current Freedom of Information law that already applies to local governments, school boards and many other governments in Michigan.

Michigan is one of the few states where public records disclosure or Freedom of Information laws don’t apply to the governor’s office or Legislature.

“Government should be open and accountable at every level,” LaFave said. “The executive branch and Legislature should not get a free pass on open records laws.”

The Michigan House already has moved to make more information easily available to the public. Last month, the House posted the salary of every representative and employee on its website.