Statement from State Representative Alberta Tinsley Talabi on a package of bills to expand Michigan’s FOIA laws to include the Legislature and governor’s office:

“The public will have increased access to Michigan’s executive branch and the state Legislature records through a 10-bill bipartisan package recently unveiled by House lawmakers. Currently, the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, allows citizens to request a wealth of information from government, except information from the Legislature and the governor’s office, since they are exempt from FOIA laws. House Bills 5469-5479 would correct this. I believe it is high time we made these changes as Michigan is one of the only two states that has yet to expand FOIA in such regard. My hope is that transparency and accountability could help prevent future crises, such as the Flint water crisis, from arising.”