Rick Snyder

Snyder was born to Dale F. and Helen Louella Snyder in Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan, where he was raised. His father owned a local window-cleaning company in Battle Creek and was of paternal Dutch descent.{{cite book |title=Portrait and Biographical Album of Ionia and Montcalm Counties, Mich. |date=1891 |publisher=Chapman Bros. |location=Chicago |page=[https://archive.org/details/portraitandbiog09brotgoog/page/n389 385] |url=https://archive.org/details/portraitandbiog09brotgoog |quote=hung out his ‘shingle’ here in the fall of 1878, immediately after his graduation from the Bennett Medical College in Chicago. |access-date=12 July 2019}} He has an elder sister.{{cite web|last=Drake|first=Bruce|url=http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/10/13/how-old-is-rick-snyder|title=How Old Is Rick Snyder?|publisher=PoliticsDaily.com|access-date=July 19, 2013}} When he was 16, he took a business class at Kellogg Community College on weekends. By his senior year at Lakeview High School, Snyder had earned 23 college credits.{{cite news|last=McVicar|first=Brian|title=Gov. Snyder's message to Muskegon Community College graduates: Optimism and positive action|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2011/05/gov_snyders_message_to_graduat.html|access-date=November 5, 2011|newspaper=The Muskegon Chronicle|date=May 4, 2011}}

Snyder visited the admissions office of the University of Michigan in November 1975 and spoke with the admissions director, who recommended that Snyder attend Michigan and create his own degree.{{cite web|title=Michigan Governor Rick Snyder addresses University of Michigan Spring Commencement 2011| date=April 30, 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahFTGoGyC2Q |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/ahFTGoGyC2Q |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|publisher=YouTube|access-date=November 5, 2011}}{{cbignore}} Snyder received a Bachelor of General Studies in 1977, a Master of Business Administration in 1979, and a Juris Doctor in 1982, all from the University of Michigan.{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/124011/rick-snyder |title=Governor Rick Snyder's biography at|publisher=Votesmart.org|access-date=July 19, 2013}} Snyder is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).{{cite journal| last= Tysiac| first= Ken| title=Snyder's Challenge: Reinvigorating Michigan|journal=Journal of Accountancy|date=December 2012| volume= 214| issue= 6|pages=22–25|publisher=American Institute of Certified Public Accountants}} He resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan with his wife Sue and their three children and has a vacation home near Gun Lake.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/business/index.ssf/2008/05/exgateway_computers_ceo_offers.html|title=Ex-Gateway Computers CEO Offers Advice to Entrepreneurs|date=May 6, 2009|website=MLive.com; The Grand Rapids Press|first=Julia|last=Bauer|access-date=October 5, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305022430/http://www.mlive.com/business/index.ssf/2008/05/exgateway_computers_ceo_offers.html|archive-date=March 5, 2016|df=mdy-all}} The couple were married in 1987 at Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church in Dearborn, Michigan.{{cite web| last= Bomey| first= Nathan |date= July 4, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120209061247/http://www.annarbor.com/elections/rick-snyder-bookworm-accountant-computer-executive-investor-governor |title= Rick Snyder: Nerd. Accountant. Computer executive. Investor. Governor?| website= AnnArbor.com| url-status= dead| url= http://www.annarbor.com/elections/rick-snyder-bookworm-accountant-computer-executive-investor-governor |archive-date= February 9, 2012| access-date= March 7, 2013}} Snyder has indicated he is a practicing Presbyterian.File:RickSnyderandWifeWiki.jpg

Snyder was employed with Coopers & Lybrand, from 1982 to 1991, beginning in the tax department of the Detroit office. Snyder was named partner in 1988. The next year, Snyder was named partner-in-charge of the mergers and acquisitions practice in the Chicago office.{{cite news | work= Crain's Detroit Business|url=http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20090320/EMAIL01/303209986|title=Venture Capitalist Rick Snyder Exploring Governor's Race|date=March 20, 2009|agency=Associated Press|access-date=December 13, 2014}} He served as an adjunct assistant professor of accounting at the University of Michigan from 1982 to 1984.{{Cite web| url= https://www.michigandaily.com/news/snyder-has-a2-connections |title= Snyder keeps deep ties in Ann Arbor as election approaches| first= Allana |last= Akhtar| date= October 7, 2014 |work= The Michigan Daily| access-date= October 5, 2016}}

Snyder joined the computer company Gateway (based in Irvine, California) in 1991 as the executive vice president. He served as president and chief operating officer from 1996 to 1997. He remained on the board of directors until 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/3583981|title= Gateway CEO Steps Down|date=February 9, 2006|work= InternetNews.com|access-date=December 13, 2014}} From 2005 to 2007, Snyder served as the chairman of the board. During 2006, Snyder served as interim chief executive officer while a search for a permanent replacement was made. His tenure on the Gateway board ran from 1991 to 2007 until Gateway was sold to Acer Inc. Snyder stated that he did not vote for outsourcing while he was a Gateway board director and he worked to bring jobs to America as the interim CEO of Gateway.{{cite web|url=http://www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbors-rick-snyder-talks-about-gateway-outsourcing-and-bid-for-governor|title=Rick Snyder Talks About Gateway Outsourcing and Bid for Governor|date=February 20, 2010|publisher=AnnArbor.com|access-date=December 13, 2014}}

In 1997, Snyder returned to Ann Arbor to found Avalon Investments Inc., a venture capital company with a $100 million fund, along with the co-founder of Gateway, Ted Waitt. Snyder was president and chief executive officer of Avalon from 1997 to 2000. He then co-founded Ardesta LLC, an investment firm, in 2000 along with three co-founders, which invested in 20 start-up companies through 2011. He was chairman and chief executive officer of the company.

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In 1998, Snyder angel funded and co-founded, with University of Michigan (U-M) School of Public Health professor [https://sph.umich.edu/faculty-profiles/strecher-victor.html Victor Strecher, Ph.D.], HealthMedia Incorporated (HMI), a developer of digital health coaching applications that implemented tailored questionnaires to gather personal information with the goal of creating customized health promotion plans for individuals. The U-M's [https://techtransfer.umich.edu/ Office of Technology Transfer] played an integral role in helping HMI get started with Vic Strecher as the founding CEO and the U-M's publicly funded Health Media Research Laboratory (founded and directed by Strecher and now called the [http://chcr.umich.edu/ Center for Health Communications Research]) providing the new company with exclusive research and development findings into health-related computerized tailored messaging and the exclusive licence to sell that content ([http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20001214/SUB/12140852/um-spawns-spinoffs-patents UM spawns spinoffs, patents]). Despite these university-based start-up and R&D advantages, HMI got off to a poor performance start and in 2001 Snyder replaced the founding CEO (Strecher remained on the HMI board) and personally rescued the company from insolvency with more of his own money. After multiple rounds of more additional financing through venture capital (Arboretum Ventures, Ardesta, Avalon Capital Group, AvTech Ventures, Chrysalis Ventures, Princeton Fund) and yet never achieving profitability, HMI was sold in 2008 for a reported $200 million to Johnson & Johnson. The sale of HMI transferred the ownership of all the personal health information accrued from their millions of users to Johnson & Johnson and played a key role in the negotiated price. At the time of the reported $200 million deal, U-M President Mary Sue Coleman was on Johnson & Johnson's board of directors and the U-M secured millions of dollars with its equity stake in the company.{{Cite web| url=http://www.mlive.com/businessreview/annarbor/index.ssf/2008/10/johnson_johnson_acquires_ann_a.html|title= Johnson & Johnson acquires Ann Arbor's software firm HealthMedia| first= Sarah|last= Rigg| date= October 30, 2008 |work= M-Live| access-date= October 30, 2008}} When campaigning for Michigan governor in 2010, Snyder was quoted as saying, "That company (HMI) is one of the best success stories in the state." ([http://temp.techtransfer.umich.edu/news_events/success_stories/story_60.php Office of Technology Transfer – University of Michigan]) ([http://annarborchronicle.com/2008/10/27/live-at-pjs-its-healthmedia/index.html The Ann Arbor Chronicle | Live at PJ's: It's HealthMedia!]). Following Snyder's election as Michigan governor, Johnson & Johnson then folded HMI into a subsidiary ([https://www.jnj.com/jjhws Johnson & Johnson Health and Wellness Solutions]) and is no longer operating in the state of Michigan.{{Cite web| url=http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/07/rick_snyder_governor_gateway.html|title= Profile: Rick Snyder brings successful private-sector experience to gubernatorial race| first= Nathan|last= Bomey| date= July 4, 2010|work= M-Live| access-date= July 4, 2010}}{{Cite web| url=http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/johnson-johnson-renames-healthmedia-unit-after-mix-of-ann-arbor-layoffs-hiring/|title= Johnson & Johnson renames HealthMedia unit after mix of Ann Arbor layoffs| first= Nathan|last= Bomey| date= January 27, 2012 |work= M-Live| access-date= January 27, 2012}}

In July, 2022, Snyder co-founded SensCy along with former State of Michigan CIO David Behen{{Cite web |date=2022-07-26 |title=Rick Snyder, Former Michigan CIO David Behen Start Cyber Firm |url=https://www.govtech.com/biz/rick-snyder-former-michigan-cio-david-behen-start-cyber-firm |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=GovTech |language=en}} Ann Arbor entrepreneur Bhushan Kulkarni,{{Cite web |date=2022-07-25 |title=Former Gov. Rick Snyder launches cybersecurity company |url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/technology/rick-snyder-launches-cybersecurity-company-senscy |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Crain's Detroit Business |language=en}} and Dave Kelly{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Candice |title=Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, partners launch cybersecurity firm |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2022/07/25/former-michigan-gov-rick-snyder-partners-launch-cybersecurity-firm/10147405002/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US}} who led cyber command for the Michigan State Police. SensCy is a cybersecurity start-up focused on helping small and medium-sized organizations improve their cyberhealth. Snyder's firm invented the SensCy Score,{{Cite web |last=jhaxell |date=2022-12-12 |title=SensCy nets seed round to help others with cybersecurity health |url=https://fintech.global/2022/12/12/senscy-nets-seed-round-to-help-others-with-cybersecurity-health/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=FinTech Global |language=en-GB}} a numeric representation of an organization's cyberhealth. The SensCy Score is similar to the FICO score used for credit worthiness as it provides visibility into how a company is performing on key cybersecurity metrics. SensCy stands for Sensible Cyber and aims to be the trusted guide for small and medium-sized organizations.

Snyder serves on the boards of the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village (a National Historic Landmark), the Michigan chapter of the Nature Conservancy, and several boards associated with his alma mater the University of Michigan. He was also first chair of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation in 1999 under Republican governor John Engler and was also the chair of Ann Arbor SPARK.

{{Main|2010 Michigan gubernatorial election}}

File:Rick Snyder.jpg

Snyder competed with Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, state Senator Tom George, United States Congressman Pete Hoekstra, and Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox as candidates for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. Bill Ford Jr., chairman of the Ford Motor Company, endorsed Snyder for the Republican nomination for governor.[http://www.annarbor.com/news/bill-ford-jr-endorses-ann-arbors-rick-snyder-for-governor/ Bill Ford Jr. endorses Ann Arbor's Rick Snyder for governor] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060509/http://www.annarbor.com/news/bill-ford-jr-endorses-ann-arbors-rick-snyder-for-governor/ |date=March 4, 2016 }}, AnnArbor.com, September 24, 2009.[https://archive.today/20120909073024/http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/09/bill_ford_backs_rick_snyder_fo.html Bill Ford backs Rick Snyder for Michigan governor].Mlive.com September 24, 2009. He campaigned as "pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, [and] pro-family," with a focus on the economy.Bomey, Nathan (September 9, 2009). [http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/ann-arbors-rick-snyder-lands-gubernatorial-endorsements/ Ann Arbor venture capitalist Rick Snyder lands gubernatorial endorsements] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222650/http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/ann-arbors-rick-snyder-lands-gubernatorial-endorsements/ |date=March 3, 2016 }}, AnnArbor.com. Retrieved December 13, 2014. His campaign emphasized his experience in growing business and creating jobs in the private sector, saying that his opponents were mainly career politicians. Snyder favors the standard exceptions on abortion for rape, incest, and saving the life of the mother (he signed legislation banning partial birth abortion in October 2011); he opposes federal funding of abortions; he would not ban embryonic stem cell research; he supports upholding traditional marriage, but would allow civil unions.{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Rick_Snyder.htm|title=Rick Snyder|publisher=OntheIssues.org|access-date=July 19, 2013}}Christoff, Chris (August 27, 2010). [http://www.freep.com/article/20100827/NEWS15/8270361/Poll-GOP-s-Snyder-winning-over-voters Poll: GOP's Snyder is winning over voters] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126105209/http://www.freep.com/article/20100827/NEWS15/8270361/Poll-GOP-s-Snyder-winning-over-voters |date=January 26, 2016 }}, Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 13, 2014.

In August 2010, Snyder won the primary to secure the Republican nomination with a plurality of 36% of the vote. In the general election in November, Snyder faced Democratic nominee Virg Bernero, the mayor of Lansing, and three minor party candidates. In October 2010, Snyder's campaign total exceeded $11.6 million, outpacing his opponent.[http://www.annarbor.com/news/rick-snyder-tops-virg-bernero-in-fundraising-in-michigan-gubernatorial-race Rick Snyder tops Virg Bernero in fundraising in Michigan gubernatorial race] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306220214/http://www.annarbor.com/news/rick-snyder-tops-virg-bernero-in-fundraising-in-michigan-gubernatorial-race |date=March 6, 2016 }}, annarbor.com, October 22, 2010. Snyder released his tax returns for 2007 and 2008.[http://www.annarbor.com/news/gubernatorial-hopeful-rick-snyder-of-ann-arbor-releases-tax-returns "Gubernatorial hopeful Rick Snyder of Ann Arbor releases tax returns"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306181720/http://www.annarbor.com/news/gubernatorial-hopeful-rick-snyder-of-ann-arbor-releases-tax-returns |date=March 6, 2016 }}, Ann Arbor.com, July 17, 2010. Snyder won with 58% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/2012-election/map/#/Governor/2010|title=2010 Election Map|publisher=Politico.com|access-date=November 6, 2011}} With Snyder's election in 2010, Republicans gained a majority in the Michigan House and increased the Republican majority held in the Michigan Senate. Snyder was the first Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to be elected governor of the state and at the time, the only CPA to serve as a governor in the United States.[https://archive.today/20130128213347/http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2012/01/nerd_governor_rick_snyder_is_r.html "'Nerd' Governor Rick Snyder is rock star to fellow accountants"], MLive.com, January 20, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2014.

{{Main|2014 Michigan gubernatorial election}}

In January 2014, Snyder launched his campaign for a second term as governor.Oosting, Jonathan (January 30, 2014). [https://archive.today/20140131015226/http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/01/its_official_michigan_gov_rick.html It's official: Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder launching re-election campaign with statewide tour], MLive.com. Retrieved December 13, 2014.Woods, Ashley (January 31, 2014).[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/31/rick-snyder-reelection-michigan-governor_n_4702355.html "Rick Snyder Launches Re-election Campaign For Michigan Governor Race"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305032354/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/31/rick-snyder-reelection-michigan-governor_n_4702355.html |date=March 5, 2016 }}. The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 14, 2014. He was unopposed in the Republican primary and faced Democratic former United States Representative Mark Schauer for the general election.{{cite web|url=http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/candlist/14PRI/14PRI_CL.HTM |title=2014 Official Michigan Primary Candidate Listing |publisher=Miboecfr.nictusa.com |date=July 31, 2014 |access-date=December 23, 2014}} Snyder was considered vulnerable in his bid for a second term, as reflected in his low approval ratings,{{cite news|url=http://www.governing.com/blogs/politics/gov-handicapping-2013-2014-governors-races-tossups.html|title=Handicapping the 2013-2014 Governors Races: The Tossups|newspaper=Governing|date=July 18, 2013|access-date=December 23, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130805052422/http://www.governing.com/blogs/politics/gov-handicapping-2013-2014-governors-races-tossups.html|archive-date=August 5, 2013|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytribune.com/government-and-politics/20140128/michigan-gov-rick-snyder-raises-5m-in-2013-for-re-election-bid|title=Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder raises $5M in 2013 for re-election bid|newspaper=Daily Tribune|date=January 28, 2014|access-date=December 23, 2014|archive-date=March 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304064720/http://www.dailytribune.com/government-and-politics/20140128/michigan-gov-rick-snyder-raises-5m-in-2013-for-re-election-bid|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/08/which-governors-are-most-vulnerable-in-2014/|title=Which Governors Are Most Vulnerable in 2014?|newspaper=Five Thirty Eight|date=April 8, 2013|access-date=December 23, 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/08/michigan-governor-poll_n_4235845.html|title=Michigan Governor Poll Shows Close Race Between Rick Snyder, Mark Schauer|newspaper=The Huffington Post|last=Woods|first=Ashley|date=November 8, 2013|access-date=December 23, 2014}} however, Schauer suffered from a lack of name recognition.{{cite news|url=http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/12/poll_michigan_gov_rick_snyder_4.html|title=Poll: Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, Democrat Mark Schauer in close race ahead of 2014|newspaper=MLive Media Group|last=Oosting|first=Jonathan|date=December 10, 2013|access-date=December 23, 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20140828/COL04/308280194/Michigan-Governor-race|title=Brian Dickerson: Can Schauer avoid the Tomb of the Unknown Front-Runner?|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|author=Brian Dickerson|date=August 28, 2014|access-date=December 23, 2014}} Snyder garnered approximately 51% of the vote in the November 2014 election, defeating Schauer and earning a second term.

{{prose|date=October 2022}}

File:MIGovernorSnyder2011Oath.JPG Chief Justice Marilyn Kelly]]

File:Canada-U.S. Innovation Partnership Conference.jpg Thomas R. Nides, United States Ambassador to Canada David Jacobson, Canadian Minister of State for Science and Technology Gary Goodyear, Governor General of Canada David Johnston, and Canada 2020 Chair Don Newman at the US–Canada Partnership: Enhancing the Innovation Ecosystem conference at the Château Laurier in Ottawa, Ontario, November 2, 2011.]]

Snyder was inaugurated as governor on January 1, 2011, at the Capitol in Lansing. His first executive order as governor was to divide the Department of Natural Resources and Environment into two distinct departments as they were a few years before: the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Quality.{{cite web|url=http://www.michigan.gov/documents/snyder/EO-01-2011_342039_7.pdf |title=Executive Reorganization Department of Natural Resources and Environment Creating the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Quality|access-date=July 19, 2013}}{{cite web|first=Chris |last=Christoff|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20110104/NEWS06/110104055/1320/Snyder-makes-it-official-DNR-and-DEQ-split |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109120438/http://www.freep.com/article/20110104/NEWS06/110104055/Snyder-makes-it-official-DNR-and-DEQ-split |archive-date=January 9, 2011 |place=Lansing |title=Snyder makes it official: DNR and DEQ split |work=Detroit Free Press|date=January 4, 2011 |access-date=October 5, 2016}} On January 7, 2011, Snyder announced he was appointing Michigan Supreme Court Justice Maura D. Corrigan to head the Department of Human Services and appointed Michigan Appeals Court Judge Brian K. Zahra to fill the resulting Supreme Court vacancy. Snyder delivered his first State of the State address on January 19, the earliest Michigan State of the State since Governor John Engler's 1996 address on January 17. He endorsed the Detroit River International Crossing for the first time publicly in the address, which was received favorably by Republicans.{{cite web|first=Chris |last=Christoff |url=http://www.freep.com/article/20110120/NEWS15/101200510/1285/Gov.-Snyder-Job-1-is-jobs|title=Gov. Rick Snyder: 'Job 1 is jobs'|work=Detroit Free Press|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124012552/http://www.freep.com/article/20110120/NEWS15/101200510/1285/Gov.-Snyder-Job-1-is-jobs |place=Lansing |date=January 20, 2011 |archive-date=January 24, 2011 |access-date=October 5, 2016}} Snyder appointed Andy Dillon, a pro-life Democrat,{{cite news |last=Berman |first=Laura |date=July 13, 2010 |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20100713/OPINION03/7130374 |title=Dillon's abortion position will matter |website=DetroitNews.com |access-date=December 13, 2014}} and formerly Speaker of the House, to serve as state treasurer in his administration.

Snyder presented his first budget to the legislature on February 17, 2011,{{cite press release |url=http://michigan.gov/snyder/0,1607,7-277--251733--,00.html |title=Governor Snyder unveils recommended budget to provide foundation for Michigan's reinvention |website=Michigan.gov |publisher=Governor's Office, State of Michigan |date=February 17, 2011 |access-date=July 19, 2013}} calling it a plan for "Michigan's reinvention", and saying it would end Michigan's deficits. He described the budget as containing "shared sacrifice" but added that his budget plan would create jobs and spur economic growth. The $46 billion budget reduced $1.8 billion in spending, raised taxes by eliminating tax exemptions on pensions, while at the same time abolished the state's complex business tax, replacing it with a significantly reduced flat tax on the profits of C corporations. This shift in tax burden led State Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer to criticize the budget, saying that it did not involve "shared sacrifice", but instead was balanced "on the backs of our kids, working families, and our seniors" and "picks out who he's willing to leave behind."{{cite web |first=Nathan |last=Bomey |url=http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/rick-snyders-budget-proposal-includes-massive-cuts-to-business-taxes-credits-for-film-high-tech-batt |title=Rick Snyder proposes significant elimination of business taxes, elimination of credits for film, high-tech industries |website=AnnArbor.com |date=February 17, 2011 |access-date=July 19, 2013}} Snyder supported the government backed rescue of the American auto industry. This reflected the view of a 56% of Americans in 2012 who supported the 2009 auto bailout according to a Pew Research Center poll (63% support in Michigan).{{cite news|last=Reeve|first=Elspeth|date=February 23, 2012|title=Most Americans Now Think Auto Bailout Was a Good Idea|website=thewire.com|url=http://www.thewire.com/politics/2012/02/most-americans-now-think-auto-bailout-was-good-idea/49106|access-date=December 13, 2014|archive-date=December 13, 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141213152036/http://www.thewire.com/politics/2012/02/most-americans-now-think-auto-bailout-was-good-idea/49106/|url-status=dead}} on 20 March 2021 On March 16, 2011, Snyder signed a controversial bill into law that gave increased powers to emergency managers of local municipalities to resolve financial matters.{{cite web|title=State of Michigan Public Act 4 |date=March 16, 2011 |url=http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2011-2012/publicact/htm/2011-PA-0004.htm |website=legislature.mi.gov |publisher=State of Michigan Legislature |access-date=July 14, 2012}} The bill was repealed by voter initiative in November 2012. However, weeks later in December 2012 Snyder signed a revised version of the bill back into law.{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/27/new-emergency-manager-law-michigan-rick-snyder_n_2322722.html|title=New Emergency Manager Law Signed By Michigan Governor Rick Snyder |work=The Huffington Post|date=December 27, 2012 |access-date=July 19, 2013}}

On December 22, 2011, Snyder signed into law The Public Employee Domestic Partner Benefit Restriction Act, which prevents the same-sex domestic partners of public employees at both the state and local level from receiving health benefits. In January 2012, the ACLU filed a lawsuit against Snyder and the state of Michigan in federal court on behalf of five Michigan same-sex couples, each with one spouse working for local public schools or municipalities in Michigan. The suit alleged that the law violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution.{{cite web|url=http://www.annarbor.com/news/gov-rick-snyder-signs-domestic-partner-benefits-ban-into-law|title=Governor Rick Snyder signs domestic partner benefits ban into law|website=AnnArbor.com|first=Kellie |last=Woodhouse |date=December 22, 2011|access-date=January 27, 2014}}{{cite web |url=https://www.aclu.org/files/assets/bassett_first_amended_complaint.pdf|work=Bassett v. Snyder |title=First Amended Complaint |first1=Michael J. |last1=Steinberg |first2=Jay D. |last2=Kaplan |first3=Kary L. |last3=Moss |first4=John A. |last4=Knight |first5=Amanda C. |last5=Goad |first6=Donna M. |last6=Welch |first7=Bradley H. |last7=Weidenhammer |first8=Amy E. |last8=Crawford |date=February 17, 2012 |access-date=January 27, 2014}} On June 28, 2013, a federal judge struck down the law.{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Brian |url=http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/06/michigan_ban_on_domestic_partn.html |title=Michigan ban on domestic partner benefits struck down by federal judge in preliminary injunction |date=Jun 28, 2013 |newspaper=MLive.com|access-date=2016-10-26}} He has also engaged in trade missions to Europe and Asia, focused on attracting attention on companies such as Chrysler.Buss, Dale (April 1, 2012).[https://www.forbes.com/sites/dalebuss/2012/04/01/7-things-chrysler-could-use-for-a-good-second-half/3/ 7 Things Chrysler Could Use To Mount a Good 'Second Half'] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126105030/http://www.forbes.com/sites/dalebuss/2012/04/01/7-things-chrysler-could-use-for-a-good-second-half/3/ |date=January 26, 2016}}, Forbes. Retrieved December 13, 2014.

Following approval from the legislature, Snyder signed the fiscal year 2012 budget in June, the earliest it had been completed in three decades.{{cite web |last=Barks |first=Kathy |url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9O0HOQG0.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629022501/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9O0HOQG0.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |agency=Associated Press |title=Gov. Snyder signs $47.4B Michigan budget Tuesday |work=BusinessWeek |publisher=Bloomberg |date=June 21, 2011 |access-date=July 19, 2013}} In May 2012, Snyder joined a bipartisan effort urging the U.S. Congress to pass a measure to affirm that States can collect sales taxes on online purchases.Becker, Bernie (May 11, 2012).[https://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/domestic-taxes/114095-michigan-governor-joins-online-sales-tax-chorus/ Michigan governor joins online sales tax chorus] . The Hill. Retrieved June 28, 2013.{{cite news |last=Anders |first=Melissa |date=May 11, 2012 |url=http://www.mlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/05/gov_rick_snyder_wants_michigan.html |title=Gov. Rick Snyder wants Michigan to collect sales tax for all online purchases |website=MLive.com |access-date=June 28, 2013}} As governor, Snyder abolished the state's complex business tax in favor of a flat tax, and signed a bill which raised taxes by eliminating tax exemptions for pensions. For years Snyder had said anti-union legislation was not on his agenda, when on the morning of December 6, 2012, during a lame duck session of the Republican-controlled Michigan legislature, Snyder called a joint press conference with the legislative leadership to announce fast-track right-to-work legislation. The legislation passed both houses of the Michigan legislature that day, without committee votes or public hearings. A $1 million appropriation added to the legislation made it ineligible for repeal via referendum.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |work=Charleston Gazette-Mail |title=Michigan legislators defy unions, OK right-to-work |date=December 7, 2012 |access-date=October 5, 2016 |url=http://www.wvgazettemail.com/Business/201212070119}} On December 10, President Barack Obama visited Daimler AG's Detroit Diesel factory in Redford, Michigan, and told employees the legislation was about the "right to work for less money."{{Cite web|url=https://www.salon.com/2012/12/10/obama_criticizes_michigan_right_to_work_bills/|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130103100730/https://www.salon.com/2012/12/10/obama_criticizes_michigan_right_to_work_bills/|archive-date =January 3, 2013|title =Obama criticizes Michigan right-to-work bills|date =December 11, 2012}}{{cite news |publisher=CBS News |title=Obama takes on union fight in Michigan |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-takes-on-union-fight-in-michigan/ |access-date=May 4, 2015 |date=December 10, 2012 |first=Brian |last=Montopoli}} The law effectively provides that payment of union dues cannot be required as a condition of employment.{{cite web |author= |url=http://www.mnaflcio.org/news/despite-bipartisan-opposition-reckless-%E2%80%98right-work%E2%80%99-amendment-moves-forward |title=Despite Bipartisan Opposition, Reckless 'Right to Work' Amendment Moves Forward |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315100013/http://www.mnaflcio.org/news/despite-bipartisan-opposition-reckless-%E2%80%98right-work%E2%80%99-amendment-moves-forward |archive-date=March 15, 2012|url-status=dead |publisher=Minnesota AFL–CIO|date=December 11, 2012 |work=MNAFLCIO.org |access-date=July 19, 2013}} After a required four-day wait between the houses of the legislature passing each other's bills,{{cite news |publisher=CBS News |first=Brian |last=Montopoli |date=December 11, 2012 |title=Right-to-work signed into law in Michigan |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/right-to-work-signed-into-law-in-michigan/ |access-date=May 4, 2015}} Snyder signed the legislation into law on December 11, 2012, making Michigan the 24th right-to-work state in the United States as part of a plan to attract business and jobs to the state.{{cite news |url=http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20121206/NEWS01/121209910/action-on-right-to-work-legislation-appears-likely |title=Action on Right to Work legislation appears likely |work=Crain's Business Detroit |agency=Associated Press |date=December 6, 2012 |access-date=October 5, 2016}}{{cite press release |url=http://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277-57577_57657-290978--,00.html |title=Michigan poised to restore workplace fairness and equality for all workers |date=December 6, 2012 |access-date=2012-12-12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627064117/http://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277-57577_57657-290978--,00.html |archive-date=June 27, 2016 |df=mdy}}. Retrieved December 11, 2012.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20682190 |publisher=BBC News |title=Michigan passes 'right-to-work' legislation |date=December 11, 2012 |access-date=May 4, 2015}} The Employee Free Choice Act, as it was named, has received mixed results in polls.Egan, Paul (January 16, 2013).[http://www.freep.com/article/20130116/NEWS15/301160122/New-poll-suggests-Snyder-s-popularity-not-hurt-by-right-to-work-legislation New poll suggests Snyder's popularity not hurt by right-to-work legislation] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126133626/http://www.freep.com/article/20130116/NEWS15/301160122/New-poll-suggests-Snyder-s-popularity-not-hurt-by-right-to-work-legislation |date=January 26, 2016}}. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 28, 2013.

A Market Research Group poll conducted in March 2012 showed Snyder's approval rating rising to 50% among likely voters, which matched that of President Barack Obama, placing Snyder among the most popular Republican governors in states carried by Obama in the 2008 election cycle.{{cite news |last=Bell |first=Dawson |date=March 23, 2012 |url=http://www.freep.com/article/20120323/NEWS15/120323028 |title=Poll: More Michiganders like how Barack Obama, Rick Snyder are doing their jobs |work=Detroit Free Press |access-date=March 23, 2012}} Snyder was briefly mentioned as a possible pick to be the Republican Party candidate for Vice President of the United States in 2012.{{cite web |last=Bell |first=Dawson |date=May 4, 2012 |url=http://www.freep.com/article/20120504/NEWS06/205040416/Rick-Snyder-for-vice-president-One-blogger-puts-it-out-there |title=Rick Snyder for vice president? |work=Detroit Free Press |access-date=May 6, 2012 |archive-date=December 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231000433/http://www.freep.com/article/20120504/NEWS06/205040416/Rick-Snyder-for-vice-president-One-blogger-puts-it-out-there |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=Experts: Snyder Good Choice For Vice President |url=http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/Experts_Synder_Good_Choice_For_Vice_President_150141255.html |publisher=WILX |date=May 4, 2012 |access-date=May 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520041341/http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/Experts_Synder_Good_Choice_For_Vice_President_150141255.html |archive-date=May 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}Carpenter, Mackenzie (February 20, 2011). [https://archive.today/20120719021420/http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/11051/1126489-84.stm Republicans consider early possibilities for vice president], Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 23, 2012. His business executive background and 'positive' style were cited as political assets, with his deeds seen as strengthening the case for electing a business executive candidate as President of the United States.Decker, Brett M. (April 18, 2012).[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/apr/18/romneys-snyder-example DECKER: Romney's Snyder example] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530034128/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/apr/18/romneys-snyder-example |date=May 30, 2016}}, The Washington Times. Retrieved December 13, 2014.White, Joseph (October 31, 2011).[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204505304577003840144166990 "Michigan Governor's GOP Brand Is Distinct"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103025334/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204505304577003840144166990.html |date=January 3, 2012}}, The Wall Street Journal online. Retrieved December 14, 2014.{{cite news |last=Murray |first=Dave |date=April 21, 2012 |url=http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/04/unlike_predecessors_relentless.html |title=Unlike predecessors, 'relentlessly positive' Gov. Rick Snyder reluctant to use veto pen |website=MLive.com |access-date=December 13, 2014}} He was also mentioned as a potential Republican Party candidate for President of the United States in 2016.{{cite web |url=http://2016.republican-candidates.org |website=Republican-Candidates.org |title=Republican Presidential Candidates for 2016 |access-date=June 28, 2013 |archive-date=June 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602045307/http://2016.republican-candidates.org/ |url-status=dead}}Crain, Keith (December 2, 2012).[https://archive.today/20131228233503/http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20121202/NEWS/312029983/keith-crain-an-early-vote-snyder-for-president "An early vote: Snyder for president"]. Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved June 28, 2013.{{cite news |last=Egan |first=Paul |date=January 27, 2014 |url=http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20140128/NEWS01/301280002/Snyder-seen-2016-White-House-hopeful |title=Snyder seen as 2016 White House hopeful |publisher=Gannett |work=Lansing State Journal }}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news|last=Egan |first=Paul |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/01/28/michigan-governor-snyder-president/4961493/ |title=Some in GOP float idea of Rick Snyder presidency |work=USA Today |agency=Detroit Free Press |date=January 28, 2014 |access-date=October 5, 2016}}

In December 2012, Snyder signed legislation requiring facilities where at least 120 abortions were performed annually to obtain a state license as freestanding surgical facilities.{{cite web|title=Governor Rick Snyder Signs Abortion Legislation|url=http://www.wlns.com/story/20442282/governor-rick-snyder-signs-abortion-legislation |work=wlns.com |access-date=December 29, 2012}} Planned Parenthood had urged Snyder to veto the bill claiming it unnecessarily increases costs.{{cite web |url=http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/12/abortion_rick_snyder_michigan.html |title=Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signs bill adding regulations to abortion providers; vetoes Blue Cross bills |first=Tim |last=Martin |date=December 28, 2012 |website=MLive.com |access-date=October 5, 2016}} In January 2013, Snyder traveled to Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He was last in Israel in 1999 as a venture capitalist. "I had a chance to see the start of high-tech boom in Israel and that's great to see. This is really a startup nation. They've done a great job of being entrepreneurial, innovative, and that's a major part of their economy now and the good part is we can learn from that."{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/06/see_what_gov_rick_snyder_is_up.html|title=See what Gov. Rick Snyder is up to in Israel|website=MLive.com|date=June 17, 2013|access-date=July 19, 2013}} In March 2013, Snyder announced a financial emergency for the city of Detroit{{cite web|url=http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/detroit/live-at-noon-michigan-governor-rick-snyder-to-announce-decision-on-detroit|title=Michigan Governor declares financial emergency in Detroit|publisher=WXYZ.com|access-date=July 19, 2013|archive-date=November 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111185513/http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/detroit/live-at-noon-michigan-governor-rick-snyder-to-announce-decision-on-detroit|url-status=dead}} and appointed an emergency manager, Kevyn Orr. As a result of emergency manager appointments under Snyder's watch, over half of the state's black population lived in cities where the local government was appointed rather than elected by the voters.{{cite web |url=http://www.thenation.com/article/166297/scandal-michigans-emergency-managers |title=The Scandal of Michigan's Emergency Managers |first=Chris |last=Savage |date=February 15, 2012 |work=The Nation |access-date=October 5, 2016}}

On December 27, 2013, Snyder signed a bill into law which nullified Section 1021 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, which contained a controversial provision that allowed the government and the military to indefinitely detain American citizens and others without trial.{{cite web |url=http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/american-millennial/2013/dec/27/breaking-news-michigan-nullifies-ndaas-indefinite- |title=Michigan nullifies NDAA's indefinite detention |work=The Washington Times |first=Michael |last=Lotfi |place=Nashville |date=December 27, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221094657/http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/american-millennial/2013/dec/27/breaking-news-michigan-nullifies-ndaas-indefinite- |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |access-date=October 5, 2016}} On January 23, 2014, Snyder announced plans to offer visas to 50,000 immigrant workers with advanced degrees to help jumpstart the Detroit economy. The program's advocates claimed the program was expected to bring an influx of new jobs and a more stable tax base.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/24/us/immigrants-seen-as-way-to-refill-detroit-ranks.html |title=Immigrants Seen as Way to Refill Detroit Ranks|work=The New York Times |first=Monica |last=Davey |date=January 23, 2014 |access-date=January 24, 2014}} In June 2014, Snyder appointed a 15-member commission for improving and reforming Michigan's public defense efforts for the poor in the criminal justice system in order to effectively meet and ensure the rights safeguarded by the Constitution.{{Cite press release|url=https://www.michigan.gov/formergovernors/0,4584,7-212-96477_90815_59871-331362--,00.html|title=Former Governors - Snyder makes appointments to Michigan Indigent Defense Commission|website=www.michigan.gov|date=June 19, 2014}}

On September 10, Detroit reached a deal with three Michigan counties over regional water and sewer services that was hoped to eliminate one roadblock to federal court approval of the city's plan to adjust its debt and exit bankruptcy. The deal with Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties created a regional water and sewer authority, but allowed Detroit to maintain control of its local system. The deal was crucial to adjusting the city's $18 billion of debt and exiting the biggest-ever municipal bankruptcy.{{cite news |last1=Lambert |first1=Lisa |title=Detroit, counties reach deal over water, sewer authority |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-detroit-bankruptcy-water-idUSKBN0H41Q420140910 |work=Reuters |date=September 10, 2014 |access-date=December 13, 2014}} On December 18, the Governor issued an executive order to establish the Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development to house a new state agency, Talent Investment Agency, created from the merger of Michigan State Housing and Development Authority, the Workforce Development Agency, the Governor's Talent Investment Board and the Unemployment Insurance Agency. Over objections from the state legislature, the department would come into effect 60 days after the start of the next legislative session.{{cite news |last1=Lawler |first1=Emily |title=Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder debuts new workforce talent department with executive order |url=http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2014/12/michigan_gov_rick_snyder_debut.html#incart_related_stories |access-date=December 19, 2014 |work=MLive.com |date=December 18, 2014}} In November 2015, Governor Rick Snyder declared his opposition to permitting Syrian refugee relocation to the state of Michigan.{{Cite web|title =Syrian refugees not welcome in 30 U.S. states |first1=Ashley |last1=Fantz |first2=Ben |last2=Brumfield |date=November 19, 2015|url =http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/16/world/paris-attacks-syrian-refugees-backlash/index.html|publisher=CNN|access-date =October 5, 2016}} A compilation of online surveys showed that Snyder's approval rating was below 40% in April 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://morningconsult.com/2018/04/12/americas-most-and-least-popular-governors/|title=America's Most and Least Popular Governors -- April 2018|date=April 12, 2018}} In December 2018, Snyder granted clemency to 61 Michigan prisoners.{{Cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/12/21/michigan-governor-rick-snyder-grants-clemency-melissa-chapman/2393565002/|title=Gov. Rick Snyder grants clemency to lifer Melissa Chapman, 60 others|website=Detroit Free Press|language=en|access-date=2018-12-26}}

{{main|Flint water crisis}}

From 2011 to 2015, Snyder appointed several individuals as Emergency Managers for Flint, Michigan. In 2014, emergency manager Darnell Earley was responsible for changing the source of drinking water for the city to the Flint River, which has trihalomethanes (TTHM) in it.{{cite news|last1=Fonger|first1=Ron|title=City warns of potential health risks after Flint water tests revealed too much disinfection byproduct|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2015/01/flint_water_has_high_disinfect.html|publisher=MLive.com|date=January 2, 2015}} It was later discovered that the water was too corrosive, and leached lead out of the service lines that was then ingested by the people of the city.{{cite news|last1=Fonger|first1=Ron|title=AG Schuette: No comment on state's liability for emergency manager decisions| url= http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2015/10/ag_schuette_has_no_comment_on.html|access-date=October 9, 2015| work= MLive.com| date=October 9, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Erb|first1=Robin|title=Who wants to drink Flint's water?| url=http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/01/22/water-woes-latest-hit-flint/22193291/| access-date= October 9, 2015|work=Detroit Free Press|date=January 23, 2015}} In September 2015, a study by the Hurley Medical Center found that the community's children were being poisoned by the lead.{{cite news| last= Erb| first= Robin| title= Doctor: Lead seen in more Flint kids since water switch|url=http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/09/24/water-lead-in-flint/72747696/|work=Detroit Free Press|date=September 25, 2015}} While Flint transitioned back to its prior source of water in October 2015,{{cite news|last1=Wisely|first1=John|title=Snyder announces $12-million plan to fix Flint water|url=http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/10/08/snyder-flint-water-reconnect/73567778/|work=Detroit Free Press|date=October 8, 2015}} lead levels in the city's water remain above the federal action level.{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=Yanan|title=In Flint, Mich., there's so much lead in children's blood that a state of emergency is declared|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/12/15/toxic-water-soaring-lead-levels-in-childrens-blood-create-state-of-emergency-in-flint-mich/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=December 15, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Lurie|first1=Julia|title=Flint Kids Have So Much Lead in Their Blood That the Mayor Declared a State of Emergency|url=https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/12/flint-lead-water-state-emergency |work= Mother Jones |date=December 16, 2015}} Amid allegations that the Michigan Health Department was stalling water treatment expert Marc Edwards' effort to obtain public records, journalists have asked when the State of Michigan knew about the lead poisoning.{{cite news|last1=Heinlein|first1=Gary|title=When did state know kids in Flint were lead poisoned?| url=http://www.freep.com/story/opinion/columnists/nancy-kaffer/2015/12/17/flint-water-lead/77365380/|work=Detroit Free Press|date=November 13, 2015}} Details were released by the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News on 26 February 2016 that Valerie Brader, Snyder's senior policy adviser and deputy legal counsel, and his chief legal counsel Mike Gadola had expressed concerns to him about Flint's water in October 2014, nearly six months after Flint had begun using the river water to save money, despite Governor Snyder claiming he was unaware of the issue until very recently.{{cite news| url= http://www.cbsnews.com/news/flint-water-concerns-michigan-rick-snyder-aides/| title= Flint water concerns raised early on in governor's office |date= February 26, 2016| work= CBS News| agency= Associated Press | access-date= October 5, 2016}}

A petition from Angelo Scott Brown, a Flint pastor and former Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate, to recall Snyder was denied by the Board of State Canvassers.{{cite news |last1=Heinlein |first1=Gary |title=Petition to recall Snyder over Flint's water denied |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2015/11/13/petition-recall-snyder-flints-water-denied/75704122/ |work=Detroit Free Press |date=November 13, 2015}}{{cite news| url= https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/13/us/recall-effort-in-michigan-intensifies-pressure-on-gov-rick-snyder.html| title= Recall Effort in Michigan Intensifies Pressure on Gov. Rick Snyder| first= Julie| last= Bosman| date= March 12, 2016| work= The New York Times| place= Detroit| access-date= October 5, 2016}} Filmmaker and Flint native Michael Moore called for Snyder's arrest on charges of corruption and assault and launched a petition on his website.{{cite news| title= Michael Moore calls for arrest of Gov. Snyder|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2016/01/06/michael-moore-calls-arrest-gov-snyder/78394712/|work=The Detroit News|date=January 7, 2016}}{{cite news|title= 'Gov. Snyder Should Be Arrested': Flint Residents Demand Justice over Water Poisoning|url=http://www.democracynow.org/2016/1/8/gov_snyder_should_be_arrested_flint| work=Democracy Now!|date=January 8, 2016}} On November 13, 2015, four families filed a federal class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in Detroit against Snyder and thirteen other city and state officials, including former Flint Mayor Dayne Walling and ex-emergency financial manager Darnell Earley. The complaint alleges that the officials acted recklessly and negligently, leading to serious injuries from lead poisoning, including autoimmune disorders, skin lesions, and "brain fog".{{cite web |url=http://pittlawpc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Mays-vs.-Snyder-et-al.-Complaint-and-Jury-Demand-Final-1.pdf |id=2:15-cv-14002-JCO-MKM |title=Melisa Mays, et. al. vs. Governor Rick Snyder, et. al. |last1=Pitt |first1=Michael L. |last2=McGehee |first2=Cary S. |last3=Rivers |first3=Beth M. |date=November 13, 2015 |publisher=Pitt Law PC |access-date=November 16, 2015 |quote=Defendants' conduct in exposing Flint residents to toxic water was so egregious and so outrageous that it shocks the conscience. |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117023555/http://pittlawpc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Mays-vs.-Snyder-et-al.-Complaint-and-Jury-Demand-Final-1.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |author= |title=4 families sue over lead in Flint water |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/11/15/flint-water-lawsuit/75851902/ |newspaper=The Detroit News |date=November 15, 2015 |access-date=November 15, 2015 }}{{cite news| first= Daniel| last= Bethencourt| url= http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/11/13/after-flint-water-crisis-families-file-lawsuit/75744376/ |title= After Flint water crisis, families file lawsuit| work= Detroit Free Press| date= November 13, 2015}}

On December 15, 2015, Mayor Weaver declared the water issue as a citywide public health state of emergency to prompt help from state and federal officials.{{Cite news |title=In Flint, Mich., there's so much lead in children's blood that a state of emergency is declared |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/12/15/toxic-water-soaring-lead-levels-in-childrens-blood-create-state-of-emergency-in-flint-mich/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 15, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |issn=0190-8286 |first=Yanan |last=Wang}} Snyder apologized for the incident.{{Cite web |title=Governor Rick Snyder 'very sorry' about Flint water lead levels debacle |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/30/michigan-governer-rick-snyder-very-sorry-about-water-supply-debacle |website=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=December 30, 2015 |first=Ryan |last=Felton |date=December 30, 2015}}{{Cite web |title=Michigan governor apologizes for state's mishandling of Flint's water supply |date=December 30, 2015 |url=http://www.rawstory.com/2015/12/michigan-governor-apologizes-for-states-mishandling-of-flints-water-supply/ |website=Raw Story |agency=Reuters |access-date=December 30, 2015}} Snyder declared a State of Emergency on January 5, 2016, for Genesee County, Michigan. On January 16, 2016, Snyder requested that the federal government declare a state of emergency in Flint.{{cite news |last = Domonske|title = Obama Declares State Of Emergency Over Flint's Contaminated Water|date = January 16, 2016| access-date = January 16, 2016|url = https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/01/16/463319454/obama-declares-state-of-emergency-over-flints-contaminated-water|first = Camila| website= NPR.org}} According to The Detroit News and NPR, "...in March 2016 Snyder released a new 75-point action plan to address the contamination crisis, calling for a "much higher standard" for drinking water regulations but stopping short of advocating for complete replacement of all underground lead service lines in the city. The plan included short-, intermediate- and long-term goals, including making infrastructure improvements; creating a data-sharing agreement with state and federal environmental agencies; and setting up a protocol for a "drinkability declaration" for Flint water."{{cite web|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2016/03/21/snyder-flint-action-plan/82067424/ |title=Snyder unveils sweeping Flint plan |date=2016-03-21|last=Oosting|first=Jonathan|publisher= The Detroit News}}{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2016/03/26/471938610/gov-snyders-sweeping-plan-for-flint-water-crisis-gets-a-reality-check |title=Gov. Snyder's Sweeping Plan For Flint Water Crisis Gets A Reality Check |date=2016-03-26|last=Carmody|first=Steve |publisher=NPR }}

In mid-April 2016, Snyder initiated his own 30-Day Flint Challenge. "The plan was to drink solely Flint tap water for an entire month to show residents that the water was safe and that he cared about the people."{{cite web |last1=Gross |first1=Allie |title=Remember that time Gov. Snyder said he'd drink Flint's water for 30 days straight? That's over already. |url=http://www.metrotimes.com/Blogs/archives/2016/04/25/remember-that-time-gov-snyder-said-hed-drink-flints-water-for-30-days-thats-over-already |website=Detroit Metro Times |access-date=26 April 2016}} However, the Detroit Metro Times reported that the governor left town on April 23 to spend the week touring Europe for trade discussions, breaking his promise. In July 2018, Drs Hernan Gomez of the University of Michigan and Kim Dietrich of the University of Cincinnati, toxicology and environmental health experts, published an Op-ed article in the New York Times titled "The Children of Flint were not 'Poisoned." In the essay article the authors referred to the findings in a study "Toxicohistrionics": Flint, Michigan and the Lead Crisis published in the June issue of The Journal of Pediatrics.{{cite journal|url= https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(18)30340-8/fulltext |title="Toxicohistrionics": Flint, Michigan and the Lead Crisis |journal=The Journal of Pediatrics|date=March 2018 |volume=197|pages=15–16 |doi=10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.03.008 |last1=Banner |first1=William |pmid=29656862 |s2cid=4890357 |doi-access=free}} According to their opinion and the study, there was a small increase of children whose blood lead levels surpassed the Centers for Disease Control reference level (from 2.2 percent to 3.7 percent), but none were at a level that required urgent medical treatment."{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/22/opinion/flint-lead-poisoning-water.html |title=Opinion: "The Children of Flint Were Not 'Poisoned'"|date=2018-07-22|last1= Gómez|first1=Hernán|last2= Dietrich|first2=Kim |work=The New York Times }}{{cite web|url=https://wdet.org/posts/2018/08/16/87184-medical-researchers-kids-were-not-poisoned-in-flint-water-crisis/ |title=Medical Researchers: Kids Were Not 'Poisoned' In Flint Water Crisis |date=2018-08-16|last= Henderson|first=Stephen |publisher=Detroit Today }}

On April 16, 2020, Vice News published an article suggesting evidence of corruption and a cover-up by Snyder and his "fixer" Rich Baird, adding that the statute of limitations on some of the most serious felony misconduct-in-office charges would expire nine days later.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/michigans-ex-gov-rick-snyder-knew-about-flints-toxic-waterand-lied-about-it/|title=Michigan's Ex-Gov. Rick Snyder Knew About Flint's Toxic Water - and Lied About It|website=Vice|last1=Chariton|first1=Jordan|last2=Dize|first2=Jenn|date=April 16, 2020 |language=en-US|access-date=16 April 2020 }} Responses from Michigan state authorities denied that a deadline was approaching and said that criminal prosecutions would follow.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2020/04/flint-water-prosecutors-say-statute-of-limitations-wont-stop-investigation.html|title=Flint water prosecutors say statute of limitations won't stop investigation|website=Michigan Live|last1=Fonger|first1=Ron|date=April 17, 2020|language=en-US|access-date=20 April 2020 }}{{Cite web|url=https://eu.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/04/17/flint-prosecutors-six-year-anniversary-wont-stop-justice-criminal-charges/5152081002/|title=Flint prosecutors: Six-year anniversary won't stop pursuit of justice|website=The Detroit News|last1=Fleming|first1=Leonard N.|language=en-US|access-date=20 April 2020 }} On January 12, 2021, It was announced that nine former government officials — including Snyder — would face charges resulting from the Flint water crisis.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-12|title=Michigan plans to charge ex-Gov. Snyder in Flint water probe|url=https://apnews.com/article/Flint-lead-water-crisis-gov-rick-snyder-801ba227340f0ac2e10e37a06a82f08d|access-date=2021-01-12|website=AP News|last1=White|first1=Ed|last2=Eggert|first2=David|last3=Webber|first3=Tammy}}{{Cite web|agency=Associated Press|date=2021-01-12|title=Ex-Michigan governor Rick Snyder to be charged in Flint water scandal – report|url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/12/flint-water-scandal-charges-ex-governor-michigan-rick-snyder|access-date=2021-01-12|website=The Guardian|language=en}} Snyder was charged with two misdemeanors of willful neglect, but he pleaded not guilty to the charges.{{cite web|url=https://jacobinmag.com/2021/01/rick-snyder-flint-michigan-water-poison|title=Throw the Book at Rick Snyder for Poisoning Flint's Water|website=Jacobin|last1=Beckett|first1=Ben|date=January 14, 2021|access-date=January 14, 2021}} Following its practice of paying the legal costs for state employees charged with a criminal offense, the administrative board of Michigan approved a contract worth up to $1.45 million with the Warner Norcross & Judd law corporation to defend Snyder.{{cite web|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/09/30/michigan-flint-water-legal-costs-defense-rick-snyder-jarod-agen-dana-nessel/5921690001/ |title=State board approves up to $2.3 million in Flint legal contracts for Snyder, Agen |date=2021-09-30|last=LeBlanc|first=Beth |publisher= The Detroit News}} The charges against Snyder were ultimately dismissed in December 2023 https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/judge-closes-flint-water-case-against-rick-snyder/.

Just before leaving the governor's office, Snyder formed a new Ann Arbor–based company called RPAction LLC whose staff consists of former officials of the Snyder administration.{{Cite web|url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/politics/former-gov-snyder-laying-groundwork-his-next-act|title=Former Gov. Snyder laying groundwork for his next act|date=January 6, 2019|website=Crain's Detroit Business}} On June 29, 2019, Snyder accepted a soon-to-be appointment at Harvard to share his knowledge of state and local government.{{Cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/06/30/former-governor-rick-snyder-harvard-university-fellow/1611867001/|title=Former Gov. Rick Snyder named Harvard fellow|website=Detroit Free Press|language=en|access-date=2019-06-30}} On July 3, he tweeted that he was "turning down" the offer: "It would have been exciting to share my experiences, both positive and negative; our current political environment and its lack of civility makes this too disruptive. I wish them the best."{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/onetoughnerd/status/1146456488594104320|title=I have informed the HKennedy Sch that I am turning down its offer as Snr Res Fellow. It would have been exciting to share my experiences, both positive and negative; our current political environment and its lack of civility makes this too disruptive. I wish them the best.|last=Snyder|first=Rick|date=2019-07-03|website=@onetoughnerd|language=en|access-date=2019-07-03}} Snyder endorsed Democrat Joe Biden during the 2020 United States presidential election, alleging that "President Trump lacks a moral compass. He ignores the truth" and that the president "also demonstrated that he does not fully appreciate policy matters, including public health, the economy and foreign relations, nor does he seem to want to learn."{{cite news |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/09/03/rick-snyder-why-im-voting-joe-biden-even-republican-column/5696508002/ |title=Former Michigan governor Rick Snyder: I am a Republican vote for Biden |newspaper=USA Today |date=September 3, 2020 |access-date=September 3, 2020 |first=Rick |last=Snyder}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Republican Primary – 2010 Michigan gubernatorial election{{cite web|url=http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/results/10PRI/02000000.html|title=Michigan Primary results|work=2010 Unofficial Michigan Primary Election Results|date=August 4, 2010|access-date=August 10, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201011440/http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/results/10PRI/02000000.html|archive-date=December 1, 2012|df=mdy-all}}

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Rick Snyder

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 381,327

| percentage = 36.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Pete Hoekstra

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 280,976

| percentage = 26.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Mike Cox

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 240,409

| percentage = 23.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Mike Bouchard

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 127,350

| percentage = 12.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Tom George

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 16,986

| percentage = 2.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 1,044,925

| percentage= 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=Michigan gubernatorial election, 2010{{cite web|url=http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/results/10GEN/02000000.html |title=2010 Official Michigan General Election Results – Governor 4 Year Term (1) Position |publisher=Miboecfr.nictusa.com |access-date=July 19, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121031022/http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/results/10GEN/02000000.html |archive-date=January 21, 2013 }}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Rick Snyder

|votes = 1,874,834

|percentage = 58.11%

|change = +15.81%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Virg Bernero

|votes = 1,287,320

|percentage = 39.90%

|change = -16.46%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = Ken Proctor

|votes = 22,390

|percentage = 0.69%

|change = +0.08%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Constitution Party (United States)

|candidate = Stacey Mathia

|votes = 20,818

|percentage = 0.65%

|change = +0.46%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Green Party (United States)

|candidate = Harley Mikkelson

|votes = 20,699

|percentage = 0.64%

|change = +0.12%

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 587,514

|percentage = 18.21%

|change = +4.15%

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 3,226,088

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box gain with party link

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

| loser = Democratic Party (United States)

| swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=Michigan gubernatorial election, 2014{{cite web | url=http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/results/14GEN/02000000.html | title=Election Results – General Election – November 4, 2014 | publisher=Michigan Department of State | date=November 24, 2014 | access-date=December 22, 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216082919/http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/results/14GEN/02000000.html | archive-date=December 16, 2014 | df=mdy-all }}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Rick Snyder (incumbent)

|votes = 1,607,399

|percentage = 50.92%

|change = -7.19%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Mark Schauer

|votes = 1,479,057

|percentage = 46.86%

|change = +6.96%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = Mary Buzuma

|votes = 35,723

|percentage = 1.13%

|change = +0.44%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = US Taxpayers Party

|candidate = Mark McFarlin

|votes = 19,368

|percentage = 0.61%

|change = -0.04%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Green Party of the United States

|candidate = Paul Homeniuk

|votes = 14,934

|percentage = 0.47%

|change = -0.17%

}}

{{Election box candidate|

|party = Write-ins

|candidate =

|votes = 50

|percentage = 0.00%

|change = 0.00%

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 128,342

|percentage = 4.06%

|change = -14.15%

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 3,156,531

|percentage =

|change = -2.16%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

| swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}{{Portal|Biography|Business and economics|Michigan|Politics}}

{{Clear}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Rick Snyder}}

• [http://www.michigan.gov/gov Office of the Governor Rick Snyder] official Michigan government site
• [http://www.rickformichigan.com Rick Snyder for Governor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030034408/http://www.rickformichigan.com/ |date=October 30, 2010 }}
• {{C-SPAN|9274799}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-ppo}}

{{s-bef|before=Dick DeVos}}

{{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for Governor of Michigan|years=2010, 2014}}

{{s-aft|after=Bill Schuette}}

|-

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{{s-bef|before=Jennifer Granholm}}

{{s-ttl|title=Governor of Michigan|years=2011–2019}}

{{s-aft|after=Gretchen Whitmer}}

|-

{{s-prec|usa}}

{{s-bef|rows=2|before=John Engler|as=Former Governor}}

{{s-ttl|title=Order of precedence of the United States|years=Within Michigan}}

{{s-aft|after=Mike Castle|as=Former Governor}}

|-

{{s-ttl|title=Order of precedence of the United States|years=Outside Michigan}}

{{s-aft|after=Bob Martinez|as=Former Governor}}

{{s-end}}

{{Governors of Michigan}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Snyder, Rick}}

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