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The FOI Advocate is a compendium of ideas, edited story excerpts and other materials from a variety of Web sites, as well as original concepts and analysis. When the information comes directly from another source, it will be attributed and a link will be provided whenever possible. The blog relies on the accuracy and integrity of the original sources cited. We will correct errors and inaccuracies when we become aware of them.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Michigan Refuses to Detail H1N1 Spending, Citing Anti-Terrorism Laws

Charitably, it's creative lawyering. But really the Michigan Department of Community Health's refusal to identify organizations receiving much of the $42 million in federal funding t to battle H1N1 based on anti-terrorism laws is just a convenient excuse that leaves the government without any accountability for its spending.

The state denied the The Michigan Messenger's request for information showing the recipients of more than $1.5 million in gloves, masks and other medical equipment and for information showing what a $25,000 payment to the Michigan Civilian Air Patrol was used for, and why an exercise conducted by the state cost nearly $50,000. The media group also wanted answers to where an unaccounted for $500,000 from the $1.5 million "state wide media campaign" budget went as well as where $145,000 in payouts to volunteers went.

Read more here.


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