(Lansing-MPRN) A state lawmaker says it’s time to subject the governor’s office and the Legislature to Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). State Rep. Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids) says he’ll introduced the bill soon.
“It just didn’t seem to make any sense to continue to allow the governor’s office to not be subject to the same laws as everybody else,” he says. “So in this version of the bill, both the Legislature and the governor would be subject to FOIA.”
Dillon has introduced similar measures in the past – none of which have moved. He expects many lawmakers will be reluctant to expose their emails and other records this time around as well.
“This isn’t a partisan issue either. I think, when you enjoy a certain benefit, it’s very difficult to voluntarily give it up.” “Democrats, Republicans – we all are allowed to operate in a way that other officials in the state are not. So I do think there’s a reluctance, and the main evidence for that is the fact that we haven’t changed this.”
Some lawmakers say they’re concerned about protecting the privacy of conversations between their offices and constituents.
