Government Transparency, Public Records & Duty of Candor

Written By Mitchell Estrada

GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY, PUBLIC RECORDS & DUTY OF CANDOR

GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY

The government works for the American people.

The American people therefore have a presumptive right to know what their government is doing.

MPA supports a Disclosure by Default policy.

Government should proactively publish:

  • Federal spending

  • Contracts

  • Grants

  • Subsidies

  • Congressional votes

  • Major regulatory evidence

  • Agency methodologies

  • Public financial disclosures

  • Lobbying contacts

  • Government audits

  • Inspector General findings

Legitimate exceptions remain for national security, victims, minors, sensitive personal information, active investigations, and similarly compelling interests.

Secrecy should be the exception, not the operating system of government.

Related policies: Government Integrity & Equal Justice; Campaign Finance, Lobbying & Political Influence; Right to Timely Government Service.

Status: Proposed / Draft — not yet formally adopted.

Originally published: August 15, 2026.

Last updated: September 25, 2026.

Version: Draft 0.1.

Mitchell Estrada
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