Dear neighbor,

Below you will find legislative updates from the state Capitol that are important to the residents of western Oakland County. You also will find important updates and communications on my website: SenatorJimRunestad.com.

Serving you,

Senator Jim Runestad
23rd State Senate District

I bet many of you didn’t hear about this, but I said “no” when the Senate voted to add another paid state holiday on the backs of taxpayers. Your backs!

Why do we keep going down this road?

It is one thing to create a state holiday that recognizes something that most Michiganders can get behind, but it is an entirely different thing to create a PAID state holiday. That is what the Senate voted to do a few weeks ago, which once the Michigan House approves it, will add another paid day off for state bureaucrats.

Most businesses don’t pay their employees to “take a day off” on many of the holidays the state recognizes. I do not support creating another paid day off for bureaucrats, and I don’t plan to support any paid day off holiday bills moving forward.

It is extremely frustrating to see the new Democratic majority continue to focus its energy on things that will cost Michigan taxpayers more when there are serious issues to be worked upon, such as moving our economy forward, helping families, seniors and everyone who continues to struggle against record inflation, and increasing government transparency and accountability.

I will continue to be a voice of reason in the Michigan Senate — even if I’m the last one!

For as long as the Legislature has existed, especially during the time I’ve spent in it, there have been emotionally charged bills brought up for votes and oftentimes members that are pushing such legislation do not stop and ask themselves, what about the unintended consequences?

This was the case recently when Senate Bill 90, otherwise known as the CROWN Act, was brought up for a vote on the Senate floor.

I could most likely support this bill if it were more narrowly tailored — and that is the key here. If we leave bill language open-ended, then we’ve really created a situation that puts people and small businesses in a position where it is not clear what is included in a law and what is not.

The language in SB 90 states:

Anytime a bill says, “but not limited to,” I ask what does that mean?

I didn’t receive an answer. More importantly, if we have an individual abusing the language of this bill, it could have a negative impact on small businesses.

Therefore, I had to be a no vote.

I introduced legislation this week to require financial disclosure on any perks lawmakers receive from organizations that are not registered as lobbyists.

These disclosure requirements would provide transparency on how lawmakers use money from donors potentially aiming to influence them. Nonprofit organizations and other entities that aren’t officially registered to lobby will often pay for special trips, dinners, and hotels for lawmakers without those expenditures ever having to be reported publicly. These kinds of perks should be public information; constituents have a right to know who is trying to leverage their representatives.

This is just the most recent in a string of government transparency bills I have introduced this year.

Previously, I proposed legislation to outline more detailed reporting requirements for special community appropriation requests made by lawmakers, shine light on the state’s utility companies, establish rules for former legislators becoming lobbyists, open up Child Protective Services to limited legislative inquiry, and expand the Freedom of Information Act and the Legislative Open Records Act to apply to both the governor and the Legislature.

It is no secret that Michigan must do better when it comes to government transparency. I am happy to work with the Democrats to fix this debacle, which they’ve been bellowing about for years. When it comes to transparency — right is right, wrong is wrong — and I don’t give a rat’s ass if the wrong is Republican or Democrat.

I have been a “pile driver” in the fight for government sunshine for years and have introduced over 30 transparency bills during my time in the Legislature, including:

My Senate Resolution to affirm Michigan’s commitment to strengthening and deepening ties with Taiwan and to support the island nation’s participation in global affairs was approved on May 16.

It was important to adopt this meaningful resolution of continued friendship with Taiwan. Our state benefits greatly, not only from U.S. trade with Taiwan, but also from our neighbors of Taiwanese heritage, who contribute so much to the quality of life across Oakland County, the state of Michigan, and beyond.

Senate Resolution 52 notes that “Michigan and Taiwan have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with strong bilateral trade and a long history of educational and cultural exchanges. Taiwan was Michigan’s 10th-largest export market in Asia in 2022, with over 313 million dollars’ worth of Michigan goods exported to Taiwan that year. The Michigan Department of Education and the Taiwanese Ministry of Education have had an English and Chinese language teacher exchange program since 2006.”

It’s difficult to overstate the importance of our relationship with Taiwan — without this important trade partner, life would look very different for Americans very quickly. That is why it is important we continue to support Taiwan and its people, especially as the small island nation faces increasing threats and aggression from nearby Communist China.

On May 25, I welcomed former U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. William Brown to the state Capitol as my guest for the Senate’s annual Memorial Day service honoring Michigan’s fallen service members.

During his enlistment, Brown served 14 months as scout in Vietnam. Following the conclusion of his military service in 1965, he went on to work for 40 years with Ford Motor Co. until his retirement.

Brown now volunteers his time with the Huron Valley American Veterans and AMVETS Post 2006 in Milford, where he serves as the group’s public relations director. He has attended over 1,000 funerals to honor American military men and women for their service to our nation and is currently working with the Blue Star Mothers of America to establish a Chapter in the Huron Valley region. You can learn more about this effort at www.AMVETS2006.org.

With 103 state parks and recreation areas across Michigan, there are endless opportunities to enjoy all that our state has to offer. June 10-11 is Michigan’s “Three Free” weekend.
During these two days, Michigan residents and visitors can grab a fishing pole, ride the off-road trails and visit state parks and boating access sites — all free.

Recreation Passports will not be required for entry into state parks and recreation areas, all fishing license fees and ORV license or trail permits will be waived.