South Michigan News

A legal battle with the State of Michigan came to an end for the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation as a settlement with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs released COVID-related documents.

In June, a request for copies of cease and desist orders sent to businesses for alleged violations was sent to the state the Mackinac Center for Public Policy reported. Copies of complaints were also requested. The state delayed releasing the documents requested through the Freedom of Information Act. LARA had continually cited the broad scope of the request and the need to review “voluminous records” as the reason for the delay. When the Mackinac Center paid the estimated costs, which was acknowledged on July 7. A lawsuit was filed, and the department promptly released the records.

Among the complaints were illegal use of golf carts, roofers working unmasked and restaurants that were accused of serving over capacity.

“Michigan's public records law exists so people can see what their government is doing and hold them accountable,” Jarrett Skorup, director of marketing and communications at the Mackinac Center said, the press release reported. “But what good is the law if the government can withhold information for as long as they want? We’re pleased that the department has finally released the information, but it shouldn’t require waiting six months and filing a lawsuit to get public records from government officials.”