The good news: It’s an election year. Michigan voters get to pass judgment on filling 110 seats in the Michigan House of Representatives, plus some seats on the state Supreme Court, the Michigan Court of Appeals, the State Board of Education, Michigan State University Board of Trustees, University of Michigan Board of Regents, and Wayne […]
Center for Public Integrity
Posted inMichigan Government
Ethics expert: Michigan gets lapped by New Jersey
Michigan’s public sector is not congenial to ethics, according to a recent grading by the Center for Public Integrity. Michigan earned an “F” and a numerical ranking of 43rd (with No. 1 being least corrupt) in the nationwide CPI study. “The analysis of 330 indicators of state accountability measures shows that this state of almost […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan lags on ethics, lobbying, campaign rules
If Michigan lawmakers are serious about cluing the public in on the money being spent to win elections and influence policy-makers, there are plenty of places to look for guidance. Fifty states have crafted 50 systems, which vary substantially. Oregon, for example, is exceptionally strong in making sure that all campaign donations and spending are […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan 'weak' in lobbying oversight
Two relatively narrow economic interests come to Michigan’s Legislature seeking movement on issues that have tied the place up in knots for years. The primary argument of both lobbying efforts to a House and Senate dominated by Republicans is that consumers deserve choice from among the options free and open markets can provide. Other interests […]