Freedom of Information Requests

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to Michigan's Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA"), I hereby request the following records:

A copy of all Freedom of Information requests received by the State of Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, Bureau of Commercial Services, in 2011 and 2012, involving funeral homes, funeral establishments, and cemeteries.

Additionally, a generic list of all document and record types involving funeral homes, funeral establishments, and cemeteries regularly collected by the state of Michigan.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Tom Nash

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 18, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.

Thank you for your help.

To Whom It May Concern:

In regards to our FOIA request regarding funeral homes and cemeteries 2011-2012, we request that you waive the fees of $143.

MuckRock is a news organization that carries out investigative journalism. The requested documents are part of our journalistic work done in the public interest, without commercial intent.

Michigan FOIA law allows for discretion in waiving fees if doing so benefits the general public.

"A search for a public record may be conducted or copies of public records may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge if the public body determines that a waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest because searching for or furnishing copies of the public record can be considered as primarily benefiting the general public." MCL 15.234(1)

The requester does not stand to gain financially from these records. The request is part of a journalistic investigation whose outcome may benefit the public, including the citizens of Michigan.

Sincerely,

Tom Nash
MuckRock

To Whom It May Concern:

Could you please clarify whether the appeal submitted in May 2013 was ever received and whether that would have been more appropriately directed elsewhere?

Thank you for your time,
Beryl, MuckRock

Hi there,

Thanks so much for your response. In that case, we'll refile the case, if need be. As a point of information, do you mind letting us know the appropriate destination for appeals?

Thanks again!
Beryl