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It's taken a lot longer than many people wanted, but the State Legislature has finally taken up serious discussion of bills that would expand the Freedom of Information Act.
The Senate Oversight Committee has opened debate on Senate Bills 669 and 670. The proposed measures would do away with the FOIA exemptions now in place covering the governor and state legislature.
The bills are not perfect, not by a long shot. For example, concerns have been expressed that exemptions in the bills relating to security information and executive privilege are covered by other state statutes or practices.
In addition, there are exemptions for communications with constituents or documents in the temporary custody of either the governor or legislature temporarily.
That said, we believe Senate Bills 669 and 670 are a definite step in the right direction.
For years, the state of Michigan has been rated among the worst states, in terms of transparency, in large measure, because of the exemptions for the governor and state legislature.
First amendment speakers, including The Mining Journal, have long opined that changes were needed.
Rhetoric aside, not a lot has happened until Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took office several years ago. A key plank in her platform was shoring up the Freedom of Information Act.
Whitmer should provide leadership on getting these bills out of committee and up for a full vote.
It will be a key step in fulfilling a key campaign promise.