DeWitt, MI — To kick off Sunshine Week, Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Leonard today released his plan to voluntarily bring the Executive Branch under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

“The people of Michigan no longer trust government to put their interests first,” Leonard said. “The way you rebuild trust isn't with talking points about FOIA. It's by putting forth a real proposal that can be implemented on day one."

Leonard released the full directive outlining how his administration would voluntarily subject the Governor’s Office to FOIA-style disclosure rules while also working with the Legislature to permanently make It law.

Under Leonard’s proposal:

• The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and executive office would process public records

requests through a newly created Office of Open Government.

• Requests would follow standard FOIA timelines and disclosure requirements.

• A formal appeal process would be established to review denials.

• A companion legislative proposal would be introduced to permanently include the executive

branch under FOIA.

Leonard noted that the directive demonstrates something often overlooked in Lansing: a governor does not need to wait for legislative action to begin opening records.

“One of the things you hear all the time in Lansing is that transparency reforms are ‘complicated’ or that they require years of legislative negotiations,” Leonard said. “That's nonsense. A governor can start opening records on day one. You don't need permission from politicians to be transparent with the people you work for."

Leonard also issued a direct challenge to all gubernatorial candidates and to the media covering the race.

“Voters have heard politicians promise transparency for years, and most of the time it conveniently disappears after Election Day, Leonard said. "So, here's a simple test. I'd encourage every reporter covering this race to ask the other candidates a very simple question: will you adopt this plan, or will you put your own transparency plan in writing?

“If accountability is really a priority, putting forth a specific plan on paper shouldn’t be that hard.”

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