Capitol News

State Rep. Greg Alexander expressed his disapproval of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's proposal to significantly reduce funding for the nonpartisan Office of the Auditor General (OAG), emphasizing the importance of government transparency. Alexander, from Carsonville, stated, “This nonpartisan office has provided accountability for taxpayers by making sure programs and departments are working as intended – and what must be fixed if they aren’t.” He criticized the move as contradictory to Sunshine Week, dedicated to promoting transparency and open government.

The OAG has played a crucial role in uncovering issues within the Whitmer administration through various audits. These audits revealed significant problems, including fraud and improper payments by Whitmer’s Unemployment Insurance Agency during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, unreported deaths in long-term care facilities, lapses in background checks for school staff, backlogs in case investigations, inefficiencies in road funding, and hospital infrastructure inspections.

Alexander expressed concern over the potential consequences of reducing the OAG's budget, stating, “Moves like this have a chilling impact on how state government operates.” He highlighted the risk of receiving less funding or support for bringing missteps to light, emphasizing the importance of protecting the OAG as a vital resource for taxpayers and residents in the state.

Auditor General Doug Ringler also raised concerns about the proposed 28% funding cut, warning that it could significantly hamper the OAG's ability to conduct audits and even jeopardize federal funding. Alexander has consistently advocated for greater transparency in state government and has urged the House to advance House Bills 5422-27, which aim to enhance transparency requirements for Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and streamline the process for accessing government records.

The proposed legislative package seeks to expand FOIA to cover the governor, lieutenant governor, and the Legislature, aligning their disclosure obligations with those of other elected officials and employees in state and local governments. Michigan currently stands as one of only two states where the Legislature and the governor’s office are not subject to FOIA or a similar open records requirement.