The Mackinac Center Legal Foundation and the Michigan Press Association jointly filed an amicus brief at the Michigan Supreme Court seeking to protect the Freedom of Information Act, according to the Livingston Daily Press & Argus.
"The Freedom of Information Act provides Michigan residents with an affordable and effective way to monitor the actions of public officials," Patrick J. Wright, director of the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation, said, according to the Livingston Daily. "When the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that public employee communications, such as e-mails on a government e-mail system, can be barred from public access simply by declaring the communications 'personal,' FOIA was largely gutted."
The case involves a citizen activist's request for e-mails between teachers union officials in Howell Public Schools.
Get insightful commentary and the most reliable research on Michigan issues sent straight to your inbox.
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonprofit research and educational institute that advances the principles of free markets and limited government. Through our research and education programs, we challenge government overreach and advocate for a free-market approach to public policy that frees people to realize their potential and dreams.
Please consider contributing to our work to advance a freer and more prosperous state.