There could soon be tighter restrictions on the public’s access to information in bids for state business. A state Senate committee has adopted a bill that would shield information on bidders’ trade secrets and finances.
State Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) says the Freedom of Information Act discourages businesses from bidding on government work. Jones says his bill matches a standard used in 42 other states and by the federal government to protect confidential information.
“I love transparency, but you don’t give away trade secrets,” he says. “You don’t give away a company’s financials.”
But Robin Luce Hermann of the Michigan Press Association says Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act already protects sensitive, proprietary information.
“So I don’t see why this is necessary,” she says.
She says she’s concerned the state would use a new exemption to further stretch limits on the public’s right to examine how government contracts are approved.
The full Senate could vote on the bill next week.
