Michigan House Democrats push for changes to ethics, election laws during ‘Sunshine Week’

From Michigan Radio:

It’s Sunshine Week, an annual push for open government and the public’s right to know stuff.

Democrats in the state House tied the introduction of a package of bills to Sunshine Week. The bills include a number of changes to Michigan’s laws and constitution regarding ethics, campaign finance, and elections.

Many of the changes come in response to a Grand Rapids election scandal last year. Former State Rep. Roy Schmidt caused a huge controversy when he switched political parties just before the primary election and helped recruit a fake Democrat to run against him. He lost big in the general election, to State Rep. Winnie Brinks.