LANSING, MI (AP)-- Michigan's public records law allows anyone to request information that can help shine a light on what government is doing, but not all of government is subject to those disclosure
requirements.
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act does not cover the governor, lieutenant governor, their offices, or legislators; it does, however, cover state departments, local governments, and schools.
Some legislators and open records advocates argue there should be no protected class in government. They say it's time to remove the exceptions to the state's disclosure law. A bill introduced recently in the state House would include the governor, lieutenant governor, their offices, and legislators under FOIA, though its prospects appear dim.
Michigan is just one of two states where those offices are completely exempt.