Video: State Senator Jeremy Moss on Proposed FOIA Reform in Michigan

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 14, 2024)

Lansing, MI – Michigan is one of only two states that does not include the Governor and the State Legislature in the Freedom of Information Act, meaning that members of the press and the public have no expectation of reviewing documents and communications pertaining to those positions.

State Senator Jeremy Moss has been advocating for FOIA reform since he was first elected to the State House of Representatives in 2014, along with colleague Ed McBroom. Moss is a Democrat and McBroom is a Republican. They worked together to pass the legislation in the House, but could not get it to a vote in the Senate. Now both men are in the Senate, and Moss is part of Senate leadership. They recently introduced Senate Bills 669 and 670, which were discussed last week in the Senate Oversight Committee and are expected to move forward for a vote.

Moss is the State Senator representing the 7th District which includes Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Lake Angelus, Lathrup Village, Pontiac, and Southfield plus parts of Detroit, Southfield Township, and Waterford Township.

Oakland County Times spoke with Senator Moss about the bills, and why FOIA is an important tool for transparency in Michigan government.