Michigan voters want a stronger democracy, a transparent government, and legislators who are accountable to their constituents.
Voters Not Politicians is pushing the legislature to enact robust ethics and transparency reform, and we need you.
Make your voice heard! Call your legislator and tell them to support good government ethics reform.
THE PROBLEM
Michigan is ranked 48th in the country for having some of the most inadequate laws related to government ethics, transparency, and accountability.
Michigan is one of only two states that EXEMPTS the governor and state legislature from Freedom of Information Act requests, and, prior to the passage of Proposal 1 in 2022, Michigan had NO requirements for elected officials to report their financial conflicts of interest.
Now, as lawmakers are considering legislation to implement Proposal 22-1, they have a crucial opportunity to tackle one of the state’s most pervasive problems: our lack of government transparency and ethics rules.
Learn More About the Issue
- Blog: Implementing, and Improving on, Proposal 22-1
- Eddy: State legislature should tackle ethics, transparency issues (Detroit News)
THE SOLUTION
The legislature can strengthen ethics & transparency rules and restore the public's faith in our state government by enacting simple reforms:
- Require lawmakers, candidates and their immediate family to publicly disclose their sources of income, in line with federal standards and most others states (HB 5248, 5249, 5250, 5251, 5252, 5253, 5254, 5255, 5256, 5257, 5258)
- Expand the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to include the legislature and the governor
- Create an independent state ombudsman’s office, which reports to a FOIA oversight commission
- Ban lawmakers from sponsoring, voting on, or otherwise deciding the outcomes of policies that would personally enrich themselves
- Ban lobbyist gifts to “lobbyable public officials,” including candidates and staff in the legislature and executive office
By enacting these meaningful and effective reforms along with Proposal 22-1 implementation, the legislature can truly improve ethics and transparency in Michigan.
What Can You Do?
We need you to join our grassroots movement to push the legislature to enact robust ethics and transparency reforms.
- Contact Your Legislator and tell them to support robust financial disclosure that include spouses and dependents!
- Submit a Letter to the Editor to your local newspaper. Let your legislator and your community know that voters care about ethics and transparency reform.
- Join us for a legislative walk! Help us spread the word about the urgent need for these reforms. Find an upcoming walk in a priority district here.
- Sign up using the volunteer sign-up form below to learn more about how you can become a volunteer legislative liaison, lead a team of volunteers in your community, knock doors in your neighborhood, and more!