Rep. Bollin calls on governor to fulfill her long overdue commitment

As Sunshine Week shines a light on government transparency, state Rep. Ann Bollin is renewing the call for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to uphold the commitment to transparency she made during her 2018 campaign.

It has been six years since Gov. Whitmer promised to treat public record requests submitted to her office as if she were subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Yet, despite repeatedly claiming to support transparency and accountability measures, Gov. Whitmer has failed to uphold this essential promise.

“Transparency shouldn’t be a campaign slogan that’s conveniently discarded after election day,” said Bollin, R-Brighton Township. “Michiganders want leaders who operate with integrity, openness, and accountability, and Gov. Whitmer has betrayed their trust. She has fallen short on her promise to lead with transparency.”

As Michigan celebrates Sunshine Week, the spotlight is firmly on Gov. Whitmer’s failure to deliver on her transparency pledge. Bollin refuses to let this lapse in accountability go unaddressed.

“At what point does an unkept promise become a lie?” Bollin said. “The people of Michigan deserve leaders who are not just accountable in rhetoric, but in action.”

Ethics reform and transparency measures have been longstanding priorities for Bollin. Prior to joining the Legislature, Bollin took on the role of FOIA coordinator as Brighton Township clerk. During her first year as a state representative, Bollin co-sponsored legislation to subject legislators and the governor to FOIA laws – an effort that was derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2021, she helped shepherd a comprehensive ethics reform plan through the House that would have also expanded sunshine laws to the Legislature and governor, closed the “revolving door” of legislators and department heads quickly becoming lobbyists; expanded penalties for lobbyist gift violations; and expanded penalties for legislative misconduct. Much to Bollin’s disappointment, the legislation stalled in the Senate.

Sunshine Week, observed each March, highlights the need for transparency and accountability at all levels of government. March 10-16 marks the occasion this year.

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