Macomb Today

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has released complaints about businesses that are suspected to be violating executive orders after a settlement with the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation.

“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 in a press release from the center. “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.”

The action from the Mackinac Center was taken after the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs took a considerably delayed time releasing documents to the center. 

"The Mackinac Center paid the estimated costs of $1,373 and LARA acknowledged payment on July 7. LARA continually cited the request’s “broad scope” and the need to review “voluminous records” to justify the delay. But once the lawsuit was filed, the department promptly released the records," according to the press release.