Other View: Put checkbooks online

Opinion

June 16, 2009

Anonymous The Record Eagle Tue Jun 16, 2009, 06:50 AM EDT

The Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act were designed to codify ways the public can gather information and provide guidelines for organizations in granting that access. But as with many well-intentioned ideas, applying those laws has fallen far short of their spirit.

Exceptions, exemptions, denials of requests, court challenges and legal opinions have only further muddied the waters until many community members feel almost powerless to access information on public schools.

And that kind of transparency, in theory but not in fact, only breeds suspicion and conspiracy theories.

We encourage all school districts to join the roughly 40 districts statewide who have begun posting their checkbook registers online as part of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy's "Show Michigan the Money" transparency project...

Midland Daily News

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Opinion

Our view: Aviation program working

Back in 2004 Northwestern Michigan College was facing tight budgets while also trying to justify why taxpayers were subsidizing two high-profile but high-priced programs — aviation and the maritime academy. Now, the aviation program is luring students from China, Great Britain and India and expects more.
Continued ...
Feb 12, 2012 7:14 am
Forum: TC Light & Power at critical point

We are at a critical point in the history of Traverse City Light & Power. The benefits we enjoy, including the lowest rates in the region, high reliability and local, non-political decision-making, are at risk.
Continued ...
Feb 12, 2012 7:14 am
Jack Lessenberry: State's prison problem

Someone once said society needed to decide whether it could afford to lock up those it was mad at, or just those we are legitimately afraid of. What seems bizarre is that given Michigan's financial situation, its leaders seem unwilling to make the rational choice.
Continued ...
Feb 12, 2012 7:14 am
George Weeks: Snyder and state rebound

Continued ...
Feb 12, 2012 7:14 am
Letters to the editor: 02/12/2012

Remember in November; Get set, let's roll
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Feb 12, 2012 7:14 am
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Another view: Concern about Iran, Israel

There is growing concern worldwide that Israel might launch an attack on Iranian nuclear plants.
Continued ...
Feb 11, 2012 7:14 am
Another view: Job Corps for vets

It's an embarrassment that men and women returning have trouble landing and keeping jobs in the country they defended. A new program modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s could put thousands of them back to work.
Continued ...
Feb 11, 2012 7:14 am
Letters to the editor: 02/11/2012

Throw them all out; Losing our liberties
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Feb 11, 2012 7:14 am
Friday, February 10, 2012
Trades students get chance to demonstrate their skills

The issue: TBA sponsors Skills USA Competition; Our view: Recognition is important
Continued ...
Feb 10, 2012 7:24 am
TC officials' 'office hours' an outreach

Some city commissioners have begun to hold regular "office hours" at the Governmental Center so residents could drop in to chat person-to-person. Let's hope it translates to city business.
Continued ...
Feb 10, 2012 7:24 am
Letters to the Editor: 02/10/2012

Save, don't pave; Maybe not so confused; Not merely statistics; Know what's going on
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Feb 10, 2012 7:24 am
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Other View: Not the time for 'right-to-work' fight

Michigan's Legislature should follow the lead of Gov. Rick Snyder and avoid staging an ugly confrontation over right-to-work legislation.
Continued ...
Feb 9, 2012 7:24 am 1 Photo
Letters to the Editor: 02/08/2012

Tax unearned income; Center calls a nuisance
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Feb 9, 2012 7:24 am
Op-Ed: Komen decision set precedent

When organizations like Susan G. Komen began pulling money from Planned Parenthood, they set a precedent. When other funding resources follow suit, the people affected are the very people Susan G. Komen set out to empower: vulnerable women.
Continued ...
Feb 9, 2012 7:24 am 1 Photo
Op-Ed: Reform falls on deaf ears

Surprise! Would you believe that political systems are stacked in favor of those with money? That's probably been true since the days of the Pharaohs. But these days, two things make the normal much worse in our country.
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Feb 9, 2012 7:24 am 1 Photo
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Numbers show economic gains; more is yet to be done

By the numbers, there is some reason to hope Michigan is slowly nosing its way out of the recession that has gripped the state for a decade now. But they also show that children and low-income families remain at risk.
Continued ...
Feb 8, 2012 7:19 am
Forum: HopeLine gives phones to needy

If you received a new phone for the holidays, you can easily turn your old device into a lifeline by recycling it or putting it in the hands of someone who needs it.
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Feb 8, 2012 7:19 am 1 Photo
Letters to the Editor: 02/08/2012

Honor basic concepts; You don't have to yell
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Feb 8, 2012 7:19 am
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Bertha Vos switch will work if Montessori gets home

The issue: Bertha Vos to house only International Baccalaureate program; Our view: District must still expand Montessori
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Feb 7, 2012 7:18 am
Forum: Moving can't be only autism option

Michigan is currently ranked in the top 10 worst places to live for children with autism. Today, the best option for families to get help is to move out of state, where autism is covered by insurance.
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Feb 7, 2012 7:18 am
Letters to the Editor: 02/07/2012

Calling us to account; A healthier alternative
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Feb 7, 2012 7:18 am
Monday, February 6, 2012
Cheers: 02/06/2012

To Elnora Milliken; the late Cliff Merrick; city commissioners; the Traverse City Planning Commission; photographer Mark Lindsay; the Herbert and Grace Dow Foundation; and Marty Dagneau Bates and her terrier Tully.
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Feb 6, 2012 7:39 am
Letters to the Editor: 02/06/2012

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Feb 6, 2012 7:39 am
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Our view: Battle of Acme may be over

The Battle of Acme is apparently nearing an end, and after six years or so of wrangling over Meijer Inc.'s plans for a big-box store along M-72, both sides appear ready to move on with getting a store built, local residents hired and the doors open.
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Feb 5, 2012 7:14 am
Jack Segal: Ending the war in Afghanistan

In November 2010, the President and our allies agreed to continue fighting in Afghanistan through the end of 2014. In a surprise announcement Feb. 1, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told reporters that the United States has now decided to end our combat role by "mid-to-late 2013." Thereafter, NATO troops will remain in a "training and advisory role" as Afghans take full responsibility for security.
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Feb 5, 2012 7:14 am