Michigan FOIA , FLINT WATER CRISIS, emergency management declaration,

Questions asked about FOIA:
(1) Is this a law or policy?
(2) When was it implemented?
(3) Who has the power to rescind this law or policy? In addition,
(4) We would like to know your position on the governor's office exemption from the FOIA.

Original Letter and Thank you.

Open Letter to Governor Snyder re: FOIA 

January 20, 2016 – Thank you for your response to our letter on January 15, 2016. We will study your response and follow-up with you.

January 18, 2016 – Third sending. Please see text below. If we don't hear from you, we will follow up in a week to 10 days. (Topic-Other/Unknown) 

January 11, 2016- Second Sending. (Topic-Other/Unknown) 

Although our attached letter of January 7 did not specifically request an update on the Flint Water Disaster, we appreciate the information from your office on January 8 and from the Flint Water Response Team on January 10 and 11.

In case the information requested is not immediately available, we plan to follow up in a week to 10 days. We look forward to hearing from you.

The Mcez.org core principle for the month of January is Citizenship.

January 7, 2016 

Dear Governor Snyder: 

The Mcez.org core principle for the month of January is Citizenship. 

As you know, Michigan received an F rating by the Center for Public Integrity, and is rated last of all the fifty states regarding governmental transparency.

It has come to our attention in light of the Flint water disaster, that the state of Michigan governor’s office is the only governor’s office that is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).We would like to suggest that this is one of the main factors for this failed rating.

We are interested in learning the history behind this exemption, specifically: (1) Is this a law or policy? (2) When was it implemented? (3) Who has the power to rescind this law or policy? In addition, (4) we would like to know your position on the governor's office exemption from the FOIA. 

If this information can be accessed on-line, please direct us to that location. We look forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards,

Co-founders,
Eunice Beck
Doris Hale
MiddleClassEmpowermentZone.org

From the Office of Governor Rick Snyder

Executive Office of the Governor
Robinson, Judy (GOV) Jan 8, 2016
Note: This letter was received in reply to
FOIA inquiry sent January 7, 2016.
​
Dear Eunice Beck,

Thank you for your recent correspondence sent to Governor Rick Snyder regarding the water
in Flint. As a member of Governor Snyder’s staff, I am responding on his behalf.
​
January 5, 2016 Governor Snyder declared a state of emergency for Genesee
County due to the ongoing health and safety issues caused by lead in the city of
Flint’s drinking water.

By declaring a state of emergency, Governor Snyder has made available all state resources
in cooperation with local response and recovery operations. The declaration authorizes the
Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division
(MSP/EMHSD) to coordinate state efforts.

“The health and welfare of Flint residents is a top priority and we’re committed to a
coordinated approach with resources from state agencies to address all aspects of this
situation,” Snyder said. “Working in full partnership with the Flint Water Advisory Task Force,
all levels of government and water quality experts, we will find both short-term and long-term
solutions to ensure the health and safety of Flint residents.”
In addition to the emergency declaration, the Governor activated the State Emergency
Operations Center to coordinate state response and recovery activities. State agencies will
report to the center to coordinate resources, assess the situation and begin providing assets
to assist with local relief operations.

“Our staff recognizes the urgency of this situation and is already working closely
with local officials,” said Captain Chris A. Kelenske, Deputy State Director of
Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the
MSP/EMHSD. “We will continue to collaborate with state, city and county leaders
to coordinate relief efforts, streamline communication and use all available
resources to help residents.”

On January 4, Genesee County declared a “local state of emergency,” which activated local
emergency response and recovery plans. By requesting a governor’s declaration, the county
has determined local resources are insufficient to address the situation and state assistance
is required to protect public health, safety and property to lessen or avert the threat of a crisis.

The city of Flint has been under a local emergency declaration since Dec. 14,2015. The SEOC is the emergency operations center for the state of Michigan. Located in Lansing, the center is overseen by the MSP/EMHSD and coordinates response and recovery efforts by state agencies and local government. The SEOC is staffed by members of state agencies and other partners for decision making and
information coordination during disasters or emergencies in the state of Michigan. MDHHS continues to provide free water filters and replacement cartridges to Flint residents at four locations, including the MDHHS Flint offices and the Genesee County Community Action Resource Department. For a full list of locations and hours of distribution, visit www.michigan.gov/flintwater.

Thank you, again, for taking the time to share your concerns with our office. Should you have
any further comments, questions or concerns regarding this or any other state-related matter,
I’ve included my contact information below.
​
Sincerely,
Judy Robinson
Constituent Relations Division
Executive Office of the Governor, Rick Snyder
517.335.7858 (o)

Open Letter to Governor Snyder re: FOIA

January 20, 2016 – Thank you for your attached letter of January 15, in response to our letter of
January 7, 2016. We will study your response and follow-up with you.
January 15, 2016

Dear Ms. Beck,

Thank you for your recent correspondence sent to the Executive Office of Governor Rick Snyder regarding the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). As a member of Governor Snyder’s staff, I am responding on his behalf.

The Michigan Legislature enacted the Freedom of Information Act in 1976. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a law that gives citizens access to information from a “public body”. Under the Act, the Governor’s Office is excluded from that definition. Countless ideas are discussed in the brainstorming processes that never come to fruition. Many of the Governor’s constitutional responsibilities require some degree of confidentiality to discuss and form policies.

With that said, transparency is a top priority. Governor Snyder continues to reform state law with the goal of promoting greater transparency. The Governor has committed to holding state government accountable for dashboard metrics. Michigan’s dashboards were implemented by Governor Snyder to provide a quick assessment of the state’s performance in key areas including: economic strength; health and education; value for money government; quality of life; and public safety.

Thank you again for taking the time to write. Please do not hesitate to contact Governor Snyder's office in the future regarding this or any other state related matter.

Sincerely,
Laura Stoken
Manager, Constituent Relations
Executive Office of the Governor, Rick Snyder
517.335.7858
***************************************************************************
January 18, 2016 – Third sending. Please see text below. If we don't hear from you, we will follow up in a week to 10 days.
January 11, 2016- Second Sending.
Although our attached letter of January 7 did not specifically request an update on the Flint Water Disaster, we appreciate the information from your office on January 8:...and from the Flint Water Response Team on January 10 and 11.
In case the information requested is not immediately available, we plan to follow up in a week to 10 days. We look forward to hearing from you.
***************************************************************************
Executive Office of the Governor
Robinson, Judy (GOV) Jan 8, 2016

Dear Eunice Beck,
Thank you for your recent correspondence sent to Governor Rick Snyder regarding the water in Flint. As a
member of Governor Snyder’s staff, I am responding on his behalf.

January 5, 2016 Governor Snyder declared a state of emergency for Genesee County due to the
ongoing health and safety issues caused by lead in the city of Flint’s drinking water.
By declaring a state of emergency, Governor Snyder has made available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery operations. The declaration authorizes the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) to coordinate state efforts.
“The health and welfare of Flint residents is a top priority and we’re committed to a coordinated approach with resources from state agencies to address all aspects of this situation,”Snyder said. “Working in full partnership with the Flint Water Advisory Task Force, all levels of government and water quality experts, we will find both short-term and long-term solutions to ensure the health and safety of Flint residents.”
In addition to the emergency declaration, the Governor activated the State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate state response and recovery activities. State agencies will report to the center to coordinate
resources, assess the situation and begin providing assets to assist with local relief operations.
“Our staff recognizes the urgency of this situation and is already working closely with local officials,”
said Captain Chris A. Kelenske, Deputy State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland
Security and commander of the MSP/EMHSD. “We will continue to collaborate with state, city and
county leaders to coordinate relief efforts, streamline communication and use all available resources
to help residents.”

On January 4, Genesee County declared a “local state of emergency,” which activated local emergency response and recovery plans. By requesting a governor’s declaration, the county has determined local resources are insufficient to address the situation and state assistance is required to protect public health, safety and property to lessen or avert the threat of a crisis. The city of Flint has been under a local emergency declaration since Dec. 14,2015.

The SEOC is the emergency operations center for the state of Michigan. Located in Lansing, the
center is overseen by the MSP/EMHSD and coordinates response and recovery efforts by state
agencies and local government. The SEOC is staffed by members of state agencies and other
partners for decision making and information coordination during disasters or emergencies in the
state of Michigan.

MDHHS continues to provide free water filters and replacement cartridges to Flint residents at four
locations, including the MDHHS Flint offices and the Genesee County Community Action Resource
Department. For a full list of locations and hours of distribution, visit www.michigan.gov/flintwater.
Thank you, again, for taking the time to share your concerns with our office. Should you have any further
comments, questions or concerns regarding this or any other state-related matter, I’ve included my contact
information below.

Sincerely, Judy Robinson,Constituent Relations Division,Executive Office of the Governor, Rick Snyder,517.335.7858 (o)
*****************************************************************************************
Note: This letter was received in reply to
FOIA Inquiry sent January 7, 2016

The Mcez.org core principle for the month of January is Citizenship.

January 7, 2016

Dear Governor Snyder: 

As you know, Michigan received an F rating by the Center for Public Integrity, and is rated last of all the fifty states regarding governmental transparency. 

It has come to our attention in light of the Flint water disaster, that the state of Michigan governor’s office is the only governor’s office that is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).We would like to suggest that this is one of the main factors for this failed rating.
We are interested in learning the history behind this exemption, specifically: (1) Is this a law or policy? (2) When was it implemented? (3) Who has the power to rescind this law or policy? In addition, (4) we would like to know your position on the governor's office exemption from the FOIA.
If this information can be accessed on-line, please direct us to that location. We look forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards,
Co-founders,
Eunice Beck
Doris Hale
MiddleClassEmpowermentZone.org
*********************************************************************************
Open Letter to Governor Snyder re: FOIA Exemption

January 18, 2016 – Third Sending. Please see text below.If we don't hear from you, we will follow up in a week to 10 days.

January 11, 2016- Second Sending. Although our attached letter of January 7 did not specifically request an update on the Flint Water Disaster, we appreciate the information from your office on January 8 and from the Flint Water Response Team on January 10 and 11.
In case the information requested is not immediately available, we plan to follow up in a week to 10 days. We look forward to hearing from you.

The Mcez.org core principle for the month of January is Citizenship.
January 7, 2016

Dear Governor Snyder:

As you know, Michigan received an F rating by the Center for Public Integrity, and is rated last of all the fifty states regarding governmental transparency. It has come to our attention in light of the Flint water disaster, that the state of Michigan governor’s office is the only governor’s office that is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).We would like to suggest that this is one of the main factors for this failed rating.
We are interested in learning the history behind this exemption, specifically: (1) Is this a law or policy?
(2) When was it implemented? (3) Who has the power to rescind this law or policy? In addition, (4) We would like to know your position on the governor's office exemption from the FOIA.
If this information can be accessed on-line, please direct us to that location. We look forward to hearing from you.
​
Best Regards,
Co-founders,
Eunice Beck
Doris Hale
MiddleClassEmpowermentZone.org