Michigan Department of Human Services doesn't live up to Gov. Snyder's transparency pledge

Michigan Department of Human Services doesn't live up to Gov. Snyder's transparency pledge | MLive.com
“As Governor, I will ensure that government is open, fair, and accountable to the citizens by making Michigan a national leader in transparency and ethics.”
That's what Rick Snyder pledged on the campaign trail two years ago.
Yet last month, the Michigan Department of Human Services gave two completely contradictory answers to a fairly straightforward policy question:
 How many former welfare recipients reapplied for cash assistance after being removed by Michigan's new welfare reforms?
When Bridge Magazine asked that question, DHS required a formal, written Freedom of Information Request.
Then DHS extended its response deadline by two weeks.
Then DHS completely denied Bridge Magazine's request, claiming it "does not possess records falling within the scope of the description provided in your request, or by another name."
In other words, DHS implied that the records Bridge wanted didn't exist.
Yet, while the DHS pleaded ignorance to us, a DHS attorney unintentionally provided all kinds of detailed answers to our questions in a legal proceeding.
DHS formally denied our information request on June 21.