Michigan’s state utility commission, the Michigan Public Service Commission is severely lacking in disclosure of its board members financials and is among the worst ranked states in the country for disclosure. According to a new study by the Center for Public Integrity, Michigan is among the bottom nine states for disclosure of personal financial interests of its board members, receiving one point out of the Center’s 100-point ranking system.

State utility commissions such as the Michigan Public Service Commission regulate rates and services provided by telephone companies, power companies, and other utilities. While the commissions generally have a low profile, they make decisions that impact the revenue earned by regulated utilities, and consequently, all states have enacted various limits and bans on earning money from regulated companies. In Michigan, Commission members are required only to provide a form that lists or declares any absence of conflict of interest—no other information is required. Moreover, copies of these forms are not easily accessible to the public. Further adding to the lack of transparency is the fact that Michigan’s Commissioners also earn the most among the lowest-ranked states with an annual salary of $108,202.