LANSING - The Freedom of Information Act helps residents know what's going on behind-the-scenes in their government, and there have been some changes to how you can go about getting that information.

Two of the major changes allow residents to appeal if they were denied information or feel the fee they paid was too much. Other changes involved requiring municipalities to post FOIA procedures on their websites, something Meridian Township already had in place. Township Clerk Brett Dreyfus says the changes make the FOIA policies more uniform across the state.

"Meridian Township has been one step ahead on most of the new requirements," Dreyfus said. "But there were a couple of places around the state where municipalities or schools have not given out information freely."

Residents can submit FOIA requests in-person to the township clerk's office, as well as through fax and email.