Michigan House gives unanimous approval to new open records bill Two more Michigan men charged in Jan. 6 assault at US Capitol

LANSING – Michigan’s governor, lieutenant governor and legislators, to a lesser extent, would be subject to public records requests under a bill the House passed unanimously Thursday.

Michigan is one of only two states that exempts the governor’s office from Freedom of Information Act requests. Before passing the measure, Republicans and Democrats alike said it was essential to increase trust between elected officials and those they represent.

If the Senate also passes the bill, it would go to Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who said while campaigning in 2018 that if the Legislature didn’t act, she would open the governor’s office to FOIA requests.

Republicans pointed to Whitmer as the prime example for why Michigan needs expanded FOIA laws, citing her handling of the coronavirus pandemic and recent controversy over a confidentiality clause in the state’s former health director’s severance deal to leave state employment.

The legislation would create a separate standard of transparency for the legislative branch than for other state employees by creating a Legislative Open Records Act, which would include different exemptions than the Freedom of Information Act.

DETROIT – Two more Michigan men were charged Thursday after photos and other evidence showed they were at the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Robert “Bobby” Schornak and Daniel Herendeen, both from Macomb County, traveled to Washington in support of President Donald Trump and got inside the Capitol, according to the FBI.

“Cant stay home, I would not be able to live w myself,” Schornak told Herendeen in a Facebook message obtained by the FBI.

They were charged in Washington with obstructing Congress, violent entry to the Capitol and other crimes. Both men were released after appearing in federal court in Detroit.