Dear Michigan Leaders: Disclose Dark Money Donors and Finally Fix FOIA
MCFN has two new editorials urging Michigan's top Democratic, Republican, and Independent leaders to finally live up to their campaign promises.
By NEIL THANEDAR
MICHIGAN CAMPAIGN FINANCE NETWORK
Note: This is a two-part editorial series holding Michigan leaders accountable for their promises. Part one focuses on Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s broken campaign promises not to use secret funds. Part two focuses on Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall’s votes and letter supporting FOIA as a House member before opposing FOIA as Speaker.
MCFN seeks to speak truth to power regardless of party, and the best way to prove it is to do it. Our recent three-part investigative series on earmarks is a classic example of following the money wherever it leads. We saw huge progress here last month when key earmark reforms were signed into law.
Now we are focused on two other sources of corruption in Michigan politics — secret funds and FOIA exemptions. Michigan’s leading Democrat, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, leading Republican, Speaker Matt Hall, and leading Independent, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, are the recipients of these two editorials written as open letters to leadership urging them to follow through on their campaign promises. In each case, we use the strongest possible opponent for these politicians — their own past words.
Secret funds and FOIA exemptions are nothing new for Michigan. We’re used to reading that “Michigan is still one of only two states where the Governor and Legislature are exempt from FOIA.” But the other state, Massachusetts, has a proposed ballot initiative for 2026 that would “make most records held by the Legislature and the Office of the Governor public records under the Massachusetts Public Records Law.” So Michigan could soon be alone in its status as a FOIA blocker.
It’s not too late for any of these leaders to act.
At a time when both Governor Whitmer and Mayor Duggan are effectively campaigning for higher office while being employed full-time in their current jobs, it is even more important to disclose who is providing them with personal and political benefits.
And Speaker Hall should remember his 2024 letter to the Speaker and finally pass FOIA reforms when he has the power to do so. We do not have to choose between HEAT and FOIA. We can and should have both.
It is long past time to close these dark money loopholes in Michigan. Michigan citizens deserve the transparency and accountability we’ve been denied. And future Michigan governors and legislators might act more ethically if they know the public is watching their spending and communications.
If you would like to get involved, we have also included contact information for each of these leaders at the end of each editorial so you can contact their offices yourself!
