East Michigan News

Six years ago, Governor Gretchen Whitmer campaigned on a platform of transparency and accountability for Michigan's government. Critics argue that her administration has not fulfilled these promises, with recent actions allegedly further distancing the public from governmental operations. The state's $83 billion budget for 2025, passed in the early hours when most residents were asleep, has been cited as an example of this trend.

The new budget removes severance pay reporting requirements from 18 state departments. This change allows the governor to dismiss agency directors with undisclosed sums of taxpayer money without public disclosure. In 2021, it was reported that three severance packages totaling $253,000 were paid to high-level employees: former Unemployment Insurance Agency director Steve Gray received $85,872; former deputy state health director Sarah Etsy was paid around $11,600; and former state health director Robert Gordon received $155,506.

Critics claim Whitmer attempted to obscure these payments even when reporting them was mandatory.

While acknowledging that past Republican administrations could have done more for transparency, critics highlight a key difference: Republicans made incremental progress towards openness. In contrast, they argue that Democratic leadership under Whitmer has reversed these steps.

The budget also eliminates rules requiring agencies to track key performance metrics and post them on publicly accessible websites. This move is seen as another step away from transparency.

Whitmer's administration has also faced criticism for failing to expand the Freedom of Information Act to cover the governor’s office and the Legislature. Additionally, Democratic leadership rejected Republican efforts to include clawback requirements for failed corporate welfare projects. The House Ethics and Oversight Committee has not voted on any legislation this session and has only held two substantive meetings in over 500 days.

Critics maintain that despite claims to the contrary, transparency was never a priority for Michigan Democrats.