The power of the Freedom of Information Act has been growing over the decades, both in Michigan and nationally. Most major issues in our State have a FOIA tie at some level.
The basic premise of FSM is to provide the most up to date FOIA requests that have been submitted to all departments, and their sub-agencies, of the State of Michigan. FSM subscribers will receive email notification on a weekly basis of the new requests. They will be in a PDF that is searchable and divided by department. FOIA requests will be sent to subscribers 52 times per year.
Having watched the growing importance of FOIA has led to the start of FSM. For anyone truly wanting to keep their finger on the pulse of what is going on in Michigan having access to FOIA requests will be an invaluable tool.
Those involved with starting FSM have extensive experience working in state government at several different levels. We know the where and how to gather all the FOIA requests. We also know that for lobbying firms, law firms, any state regulated business, any business involved with the state, associations representing businesses plus many other entities all should consider subscribing to FSM.
Here is a quick story about the start of FSM. During the testing phase of FSM, a FOIA request from an organization was discovered asking the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for information about a large Michigan business. FSM contacted that business and asked if they were aware of the FOIA request to MEDC, they weren’t. FSM provided the FOIA and that business then had extensive time to prepare before the issue went public. This is why we truly believe Information is Power.
If it is important for you to be one of the first to “know” then sign up for FSM.
Please check out the FSM FAQs for more information.