Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) on Thursday issued an order banning the use of private email accounts for state business.
The Detroit Free Press reported that Whitmer’s order also prohibits elected officials from using state government accounts to conduct personal business.
“State government must be open, transparent and accountable to Michigan taxpayers,” Whitmer said in announcing the new rule.
{mosads}“To continue to earn public confidence, we must set good examples and act ethically at all times,” she added. “This series of executive directives underscores the high expectations and integrity Michiganders should expect from the dedicated public servants who serve in state government.”
The directive does not specify penalties for violating the ban, The Detroit Free Press reported. Former Gov. Rick Snyder (R) did not encourage the use of private email, but did not specifically ban it, the news outlet reported.
Whitmer took the oath of office on Tuesday after defeating Republican Bill Schuette in November’s election.
The order comes after state officials were found to have used private emails to communicate about the water safety crisis in Flint. Messages exchanged on private accounts are not subject to the state’s Freedom of Information Act.
The state revealed in 2015 that due to a switch in Flint’s water source meant to save money, the city’s water pipes had corroded, contaminating the drinking water with lead and sparking a massive public health crisis.
The use of private email among government officials has caused consternation at the national level, as well. Republicans seized on Hillary Clinton’s use of a private server while she was secretary of State, though she was not found to have violated any laws.
White House advisers Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump also came under scrutiny after they were reported to have used private email while working for the Trump administration.