Flint water crisis highlights lack of transparency with Michigan government

In most states, if journalists or citizens want to hold our elected officials accountable, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is an important tool in our political toolbox.

However, Michigan is among a small handful of states where the governor’s office and the state legislature are exempt from the FOIA. This means that documents and records can be kept from the public, except in rare occasions.

Governor Rick Snyder recently volunteered to release a batch of emails concerning the Flint water crisis, which highlighted the fact that Michigan has been ranked dead last in the country in transparency. Continue…

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