One reporter in Michigan learned the true cost of government transparency on Tuesday when the state of Michigan informed her that it could respond to her Freedom of Information Act request–for around $7 million.

$6,876,303.90, to be exact. That’s what the Michigan Department of State Police is charging for documents that I requested via the Freedom of Information Act regarding the state’s handling of federal homeland security grant money from 2002 to present…Even the $3,438,151.95 down payment seems likely to be a speck above the average FOIA asking price.

Ms. Hoekstra’s request came after a federal report revealed that the state had been having problems handling a $130 million grant. The reporter wanted to see if that kind of mismanagement was endemic with the billions that the state has received for security efforts.

Freedom of Information Act requests pertaining to Homeland Security are always touchy; what with all of the black markers and classified documents. So, it seems almost cruel to say yes, only to crush such optimism with the price tag. The full letter from the Michigan below.