State Representative Rachelle Smit of Martin expressed dissatisfaction following the release of documents by the Michigan Department of State (MDOS) in response to a House Oversight Committee subpoena. The documents were due in full, but Smit argues that the release falls short of meeting the committee’s requests.
Smit commented, “While we acknowledge the Department of State released new information today, there is no reason why Secretary Benson and her staff cannot fulfill the House’s subpoena in full today. For some baseless reason, they continue to release small batches of information and tout them as huge wins in transparency. It’s not transparency, it’s embarrassing.”
She further criticized Secretary Benson for withholding information accessible to thousands of clerks in Michigan, stating, “Chair (Jay) DeBoyer and I had access to this information just a few years ago, yet Secretary Benson refuses to hand it over.”
Smit accused the department of using delay tactics and expressed concern about potential training issues for clerks. She emphasized that reviewing these materials is essential for legislative oversight and stated that any obstruction is unacceptable.
