Gov. Rick Snyder – National Freedom of Information Coalition

Flint water crisis could help push governor FOIA, legislative transparency bills

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Gov. Rick Snyder has released thousands of pages of executive office emails voluntarily in the wake of the Flint water crisis, but legislation pending in the House would make disclosures routine by subjecting the governor to the Freedom of Information Act.

Bipartisan bills were introduced last month by Rep. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield and Rep. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, would subject the governor to FOIA, an act which details response timelines and which records are subject to disclosure upon citizen request.

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Michigan Rep: State FOIA needs expanding after Flint water crisis

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Michigan Rep. Jon Hoadley is calling for an expansion in Michigan's Freedom of Information Act following Gov. Rick Snyder's announcing plans to release emails on the Flint water crisis.

Hoadley, D-Kalamazoo, applauded the move toward better access but remained skeptical.

"He will release whichever ones he wants to release, and there will be no penalty if he chooses to forget to release a couple, or if he doesn't release some of the other emails, maybe, between various members of his administration," Hoadley said.

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Editorial: Gov. signs bill to hold down FOIA costs

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The people who really need the Freedom of Information Act are members of the general public — you and me. The so-called "average Joes."

When dealing with a reluctant official unwilling to hand out information about the functioning of government, it is the FOIA that spells out what information should be available to the general public and how it should be turned over.

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Michigan Snyder Admin Destroys Emails Sought Through FOIA

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LANSING – Progress Michigan learned today that the Michigan Department of Community Health has illegally purged department head communications from its databases.

Three departments within Gov. Rick Snyder’s administration are using stall tactics, illegal maneuvers and unnecessary staff reviews to keep communications between department directors and top officials in the Governor’s office secret.

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