FOIA Friday: Monitoring Michigan politicians' money ties
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The clock is ticking on a deadline for state lawmakers to set up new requirements that they disclose sources of income, gifts and other financial information.
Why it matters: The financial disclosures are a step toward improving Michigan's dismal government transparency reputation, which largely stems from a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) that does not apply to the governor or legislature.
- Michigan is one of two states — the other being Idaho — that does not require lawmakers to file annual financial disclosure reports.
Catch up quick: Voters passed Proposal 1 last November, a constitutional amendment to increase financial transparency and change Michigan's term limits.
- The proposal requires new legislation by the end of the year for how the requirements will be implemented.
Zoom out: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' financial disclosures came under scrutiny recently after he reportedly accepted lavish trips from billionaire Republican donor Harlan Crow without self-reporting them as required.
- Thomas just received an extension to file his annual disclosures.
Driving the news: Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson just submitted a budget request that includes at least $1.6 million for staffing and technology upgrades at the state Bureau of Elections to receive and monitor the financial disclosures once they start coming in, a spokesperson tells Axios.
- The Department of State is working with lawmakers on the implementation legislation but there isn't a timeline yet, the spokesperson says.
What they're saying: Lawmakers could introduce the plan after their summer break, Josh Pugh, a spokesperson for a since-dissolved pro-Prop 1 ballot committee, tells Axios.
- "When they come back, I think this will be at the top of the list or close to it," he says.
The intrigue: Any state resident can sue the legislature and governor to enforce the financial disclosure requirements if legislation isn't enacted by the end of the year.