Gubernatorial candidates participating in a recent forum hosted by the Michigan Press Association voiced strong support for maintaining Michigan’s public and legal notice requirements in newspapers, emphasizing that public notices remain a critical safeguard for government transparency, accountability and citizen awareness.
Republican candidates Aric Nesbitt, Perry Johnson, Ralph Rebandt and Mike Cox, along with Democratic candidate Chris Swanson, attended the forum and pledged support for preserving newspaper publication requirements for important government information, including election notices, public hearings, tax proposals, zoning changes, foreclosures and public meetings.
The candidates repeatedly connected newspaper notices to the public’s ability to monitor government actions and participate in civic life.
“Much of rural Michigan, there's many people who still aren't connected,” Cox said. “And they follow what's posted in the paper.”
Johnson questioned efforts to remove notices from newspapers altogether.
“What possible rationale would you have for not allowing that and not making people aware?” Johnson said. “I don't see it.”
Nesbitt said printed newspapers remain a vital source of information for many residents across Michigan, particularly in rural communities.
“This is the importance of making sure that we're accountable to people,” Nesbitt said.
Swanson emphasized that clear and accessible public notification is fundamental to maintaining trust in government and the legal process.
“You have to maintain the integrity of the legal community and notification,” Swanson said. “To be unclear is to be unkind.”
Rebandt said public notices should be widely distributed to ensure maximum public awareness, including publication in newspapers.
“Put them on church doors, newspapers, on the Internet, Facebook, wherever they need to be,” Rebandt said.
The forum also included discussion about broader government transparency issues, including expanding Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act to cover the governor and Legislature. Candidates argued that increasing public access to government records and preserving newspaper public notices are both essential to rebuilding trust in public institutions.
Michigan’s public notice system ensures citizens have access to verifiable, independently published information about government actions that may affect their property rights, taxes, businesses, legal standing and quality of life.
Unlike notices posted only on government websites or social media, newspaper notices provide a permanent, archived and publicly accessible record available to all residents, including those without reliable internet access.
The Michigan Press Association has warned that efforts to weaken newspaper public notice requirements could reduce transparency and make it harder for residents to stay informed about decisions affecting their communities.
Democratic candidate Jocelyn Benson, Republican candidate John James and independent candidate Mike Duggan did not attend the forum.
Republican candidates Aric Nesbitt, Perry Johnson, Ralph Rebandt and Mike Cox, along with Democratic candidate Chris Swanson, attended the forum and pledged support for preserving newspaper publication requirements for important government information, including election notices, public hearings, tax proposals, zoning changes, foreclosures and public meetings.
The candidates repeatedly connected newspaper notices to the public’s ability to monitor government actions and participate in civic life.
“Much of rural Michigan, there's many people who still aren't connected,” Cox said. “And they follow what's posted in the paper.”
Johnson questioned efforts to remove notices from newspapers altogether.
“What possible rationale would you have for not allowing that and not making people aware?” Johnson said. “I don't see it.”
Nesbitt said printed newspapers remain a vital source of information for many residents across Michigan, particularly in rural communities.
“This is the importance of making sure that we're accountable to people,” Nesbitt said.
Swanson emphasized that clear and accessible public notification is fundamental to maintaining trust in government and the legal process.
“You have to maintain the integrity of the legal community and notification,” Swanson said. “To be unclear is to be unkind.”
Rebandt said public notices should be widely distributed to ensure maximum public awareness, including publication in newspapers.
“Put them on church doors, newspapers, on the Internet, Facebook, wherever they need to be,” Rebandt said.
The forum also included discussion about broader government transparency issues, including expanding Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act to cover the governor and Legislature. Candidates argued that increasing public access to government records and preserving newspaper public notices are both essential to rebuilding trust in public institutions.
Michigan’s public notice system ensures citizens have access to verifiable, independently published information about government actions that may affect their property rights, taxes, businesses, legal standing and quality of life.
Unlike notices posted only on government websites or social media, newspaper notices provide a permanent, archived and publicly accessible record available to all residents, including those without reliable internet access.
The Michigan Press Association has warned that efforts to weaken newspaper public notice requirements could reduce transparency and make it harder for residents to stay informed about decisions affecting their communities.
Democratic candidate Jocelyn Benson, Republican candidate John James and independent candidate Mike Duggan did not attend the forum.
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