EAST LANSING — The Michigan Press Association (MPA) and journalists across the state shined a spotlight on harmful efforts to remove transparency requirements during the MPA 2026 Convention April 23 at Michigan State University’s Kellogg Center.
Speakers called on Michigan lawmakers to protect requirements for governments and other public institutions to publish important information in newspapers through public and legal notices. These requirements give Michiganders access to crucial information, including details about elections, possible tax proposals, zoning and ordinance changes and notices of public meetings that encourage public participation and scrutiny.
“Public and legal notices are critical transparency measures and part of the three-legged stool of government transparency along with the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act,” said Lisa McGraw, public policy manager for MPA. “Michigan already ranks among the worst states for transparency. Our state lawmakers must focus on improving transparency, not making it worse.”
The MPA continues to urge Michigan’s elected leaders to halt efforts that could remove requirements for publishing important decision-making information in newspapers through public and legal notices.
“Publishing legal and public notices in newspapers provides an accessible way for residents of our communities to access critical information that may impact them,” said Eric Hamp, editor and publisher of The Houghton Lake Resorter. “In states where public notice requirements are removed, residents are less aware of government actions and attendance at public meetings falls. Michigan should be aiming for the opposite of that.”
Newspapers also provide a permanent, third-party record of government activity, allowing citizens to verify and scrutinize government actions.
“At a time when misinformation and disinformation run rampant, having an independent, third party publish information is the most commonsense way for Michiganders to learn critical information that could impact them and their families,” said John Hiner, president of MLive Media Group.
Legal notices provide information about actions that could impact Michiganders’ rights, property and finances, including legal proceedings, announcements of estate administration, development of new businesses, name changes, guardianship actions, foreclosures and more.
“Legal notice requirements help protect residents from scams and fraud that could cause long-term financial damage, identity theft and other legal complications,” said Jennifer Dukarski, lead legal counsel for MPA. “It’s critical that we keep these transparency measures in place so Michiganders can stay informed and a permanent record exists of government actions.”
Speakers highlighted newspapers as the best place for ensuring public and legal notices are shared by an independent third party.
“Our local papers in Michigan reach thousands of households, as well as libraries and other public spaces,” said Brad Thompson, chairman and CEO of Detroit Legal News Co., parent company of The Zeeland Record, and co-chair of the MPA Public Policy Committee. “They don’t depend on a person’s ability to access the internet, a smartphone or a government website, making them an accessible place for critical information. Our state lawmakers must protect these critical transparency measures.”
Learn more about the importance of public and legal notices on the Michigan Press Association website at michiganpress.org.
Speakers called on Michigan lawmakers to protect requirements for governments and other public institutions to publish important information in newspapers through public and legal notices. These requirements give Michiganders access to crucial information, including details about elections, possible tax proposals, zoning and ordinance changes and notices of public meetings that encourage public participation and scrutiny.
“Public and legal notices are critical transparency measures and part of the three-legged stool of government transparency along with the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act,” said Lisa McGraw, public policy manager for MPA. “Michigan already ranks among the worst states for transparency. Our state lawmakers must focus on improving transparency, not making it worse.”
The MPA continues to urge Michigan’s elected leaders to halt efforts that could remove requirements for publishing important decision-making information in newspapers through public and legal notices.
“Publishing legal and public notices in newspapers provides an accessible way for residents of our communities to access critical information that may impact them,” said Eric Hamp, editor and publisher of The Houghton Lake Resorter. “In states where public notice requirements are removed, residents are less aware of government actions and attendance at public meetings falls. Michigan should be aiming for the opposite of that.”
Newspapers also provide a permanent, third-party record of government activity, allowing citizens to verify and scrutinize government actions.
“At a time when misinformation and disinformation run rampant, having an independent, third party publish information is the most commonsense way for Michiganders to learn critical information that could impact them and their families,” said John Hiner, president of MLive Media Group.
Legal notices provide information about actions that could impact Michiganders’ rights, property and finances, including legal proceedings, announcements of estate administration, development of new businesses, name changes, guardianship actions, foreclosures and more.
“Legal notice requirements help protect residents from scams and fraud that could cause long-term financial damage, identity theft and other legal complications,” said Jennifer Dukarski, lead legal counsel for MPA. “It’s critical that we keep these transparency measures in place so Michiganders can stay informed and a permanent record exists of government actions.”
Speakers highlighted newspapers as the best place for ensuring public and legal notices are shared by an independent third party.
“Our local papers in Michigan reach thousands of households, as well as libraries and other public spaces,” said Brad Thompson, chairman and CEO of Detroit Legal News Co., parent company of The Zeeland Record, and co-chair of the MPA Public Policy Committee. “They don’t depend on a person’s ability to access the internet, a smartphone or a government website, making them an accessible place for critical information. Our state lawmakers must protect these critical transparency measures.”
Learn more about the importance of public and legal notices on the Michigan Press Association website at michiganpress.org.
