LANSING, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) – It was an eventful week in Lansing on the issue of government transparency, as Michigan’s attorney general and secretary of state both testified in favor of a package of bills that would increase government transparency and accountability.
“I know that many Michigan legislators are dedicated public servants, driven by a sense of duty to their communities and a desire to improve the lives of their constituents,” said Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “But these bright lights are often engulfed by dark clouds of corruption that thrive in the shadows allowed by our current weak ethics and transparency laws.”
Benson testified Thursday in favor of the BRITE Act, which stands for Bringing Reforms in Integrity, Transparency and Ethics. She was joined by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who filed allegations of corruption and eembezzlement against former Republican Speaker of the Michigan House Lee Chatfieldearlier this week.
“I have heard it said by some that these bills do not go far enough,” Nessel said during her testimony. “What these bills provide is a start. A solid, serious, serious effort to achieve the goal of ending the corrosive forces in Michigan government, creating better transparency, and enabling a path forward to regain public trust.”
The seven-part bill would implement lobbying guidelines, reporting requirements for political nonprofits and disclosure of certain entertainment gifts or travel expenses.
“The BRITE Act is the strongest and broadest package of ethics legislation Lansing has seen in decades,” said State Rep. Erin Byrne, chair of the House Ethics and Oversight Committee. “We have several bills targeting dark money accounts, also known as C4s. That’s a space within state government and the federal government that, based on the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling, is really allowed to operate in the shadows.”
Democratic lawmakers say they see traction on these bills because they control both chambers of the Legislature.
“The difference here is that Democrats are in charge, and we have the opportunity to change this and fix it once and for all,” said state Rep. Jason Morgan, one of the bill’s sponsors.
CBS News Detroit reached out to Republican House Minority Leader Matt Hall for comment, but he was unavailable.
Elle Meijers
