The Michigan Court of Claims on Tuesday ordered the Michigan House of Representatives and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to meet in mediation in order to resolve the handover of election training materials that were subpoenaed by State Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay Township) in April. The court ordered the parties to mediate with Court of Appeals Judge James Redford and discuss which election records can be held back. DeBoyer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, issued the following statement in response:

“This is a good step toward achieving the transparency we’ve been trying tirelessly to bring to Michigan government all year. Our subpoenas are lawful and well within our prerogative – and our duty to the public – as the people’s representatives. Now, the Michigan Court of Claims is helping us get closer to the truth, despite Jocelyn Benson’s best efforts to evade accountability. Hopefully we will be able to work together with the help of Judge Redford to finally make this obscured Secretary of State’s office more transparent.”