Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on August 8, 2007

Click here to view bill details.

I didn't realize that this information was subject to FOIA.

I hope they pass this quickly.

If they are a public employee, they are our employee. If they are involved in something that the public wants information for, then this should be included. This makes them seem "above the law" and they can go hide under their rock. Keeping their address and phone public will keep them in line and prevent wrongdoing on their part.

As a rule I do not support legislation that restricts public access to information about the operations of public agencies. But I do support this bill. The home addresses and telephone numbers of public employees should not be a matter of record open to the public. Public employees’ homes only rarely are official extensions of their workplace (in which case they should be provided an agency telephone and releasable number at home), and their families are not extensions of the public workforce. If anyone wishes to contact a public employee about matters related to his or her job, there is adequate opportunity to do so through the employing agency. Where a person lives is customarily a private matter. Public employees do not give up ordinary rights to privacy simply by going to work for a public agency, nor should they be expected to do so.

and telephone numbers are already a matter of public record. they are in phone books and 'city directories'.

I don't want some angry parent showing up at my house because their child failed a test or was given a detention. Nor do I want crank phone calls at all hours of the day and night. I am entitled to peace and safety at my home. I can be freely contacted at my place of work. My address and phone number should be off limits.

and phone number are not in the phone book or city directory because I have chosen to keep them unlisted. My choice for privacy should be respected.

SHOULD BE. but while you can remain 'unlisted' in the phone book, or the 'directory assistance', you CANNOT remain unlisted from the CITY DIRECTORY. they are compiled for the use of the city, such as the police department, for serving warrants, doing tax assesments, giving refunds, and maintaining variances. you can't hide from 'city hall'.