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

Unlike many elected officials, I am listening to the concerns from residents about what data center projects mean for their neighborhoods and their communities.

It’s a shame what the government is doing to these communities, and even worse when people make their voices heard and their elected officials disregard their concerns because their eyes see nothing but dollar signs.

However, our voices will not be silenced, and our resolve knows no end! I am hosting a rally in Lansing on Tuesday, June 23, at the Michigan State Capitol to continue making sure lawmakers and local officials get the message: We are demanding that policy decisions put people over data centers.

Please join me on June 23!

If you have questions about the event, please contact my office.

I recently reintroduced legislation that addresses rising utility rates by requiring companies to adhere to actual-cost data instead of unreliable future projections when seeking rate increase approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC).

My legislation comes at a time when utility companies continue to ask for rate hikes as Michigan residents continue to struggle with day-to-day costs. Since 2020, the MPSC has granted almost $800 million in rate hikes to Consumers Energy alone. Consumers Energy recently requested another $456 million hike on the very first day it was legally allowed after the previous year’s $436 million request.

When applying for a rate increase with the MPSC, a utility provider must submit a 12-month financial breakdown of its costs and revenues known as the “test year” or “test period.” While Michigan utilities historically had to use a test year based on actual, audited past data, energy law reforms in 2008 authorized companies to use a future test year. This modern approach allows utilities to justify rate adjustments based on speculative projected costs and revenues rather than actual historical financial records.

SB 1031 would require utility companies to once again rely on actual costs when requesting rate increase approval from the MPSC instead of future projections. By being required to use actual data, utilities can fairly and accurately prepare for future energy needs in Michigan. If costs rise, they have a chance to demonstrate that. However, the endless cycle of rate increase after rate increase without any consideration for the consumer must end.

The current system is absolute highway robbery. Homeowners are forced to pay ever-increasing rates while service stays the same and the big utility companies pile up money. A utility can overestimate costs with nothing to lose. If the costs are high, consumers pay; if the costs are low, consumers pay.

This broken system must change, and my bill will put an end to these never-ending, sky-is-the-limit rate hikes.

It is also important to note that we are reaching a critical inflection point as proposals for data centers rapidly develop across the state. What is to stop utility companies from asking for rate hikes down the road as data centers put a strain on local infrastructure across the state?

Legislators must be willing to step up to help protect people from what are essentially the utility pseudo-monopolies of our state, and I am proud to once again take the lead on this effort.

Click here to view my speech on this legislation during discussion on the Senate floor.

Data center development is a growing problem in Michigan. They seem to come out of nowhere, and residents across the state have been blindsided. That is why I introduced Senate Bills 1018, 1019 and 1020, which would implement a one-year pause on all data center development in Michigan.

My legislation does not stifle long-term development; it simply advises caution. It is foolish for lawmakers to allow untested, potentially dangerous projects in our communities without proper scrutiny and thorough diligence.

The bills are a necessary course of action. Lawmakers must hear the voices of their constituents — which have been crystal clear on the matter — and act. While the governor is busy cozying up to tech CEOs for a photo op in Saline Township and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s husband is actively lobbying for these large-scale developments, polling and clear public opinion overwhelmingly show that people do not want these behemoths in their backyards, especially without additional regulations.

This moratorium will provide the necessary timeframe for lawmakers to listen to the public and put sensible regulations in place.

You can read my full press release here.

I recently had the honor of attending a Lyon Township meeting and standing with the overflowing room full of people who don’t want these massive data center developments in their communities.

People are making their voices heard, and officials on both the local and state levels are dismissing the concerns of the residents they took an oath to serve. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was even recently caught on camera bragging to tech CEOs about how she hears the concerns from residents, ignores them and does what she wants anyway. I consider this to be gross misconduct and a significant dereliction of duty by an elected official.

I am going to continue fighting these projects until we get adequate answers about the impact data centers have on communities and energy use, as well as a sufficient guarantee that these developments will not negatively affect Michigan residents or our natural resources.

Government doesn’t exist to serve developers or out-of-state interests; it serves the residents of their communities and this state.

Click on the image below to view a video of me speaking with the Lyon Township board.

I recently sat down for a conversation with MSU Trustee Mike Balow to discuss the controversies and, frankly, the utter chaos at one of our state’s premier universities.

The Michigan State University Board of Trustees moved to crack down on dissent from members of the board while also approving a $1 million pay raise for Kevin Guskiewicz, who shortly thereafter announced his decision to leave Michigan State due to ongoing controversies within the university’s leadership.

To view the interview, click here or on the image below.

Since it was announced that millions of dollars were funneled to hate groups like the KKK by the left-wing Southern Poverty Law Center, where our very own Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson was previously a board member, I have been calling for accountability and transparency surrounding these types of backroom operations that do nothing but instigate tensions, cultivate hate and divide Americans.

The U.S. Department of Justice issued its charges, and I believe it is time for Attorney General Dana Nessel to get involved as well.

Click here to view my speech during discussion on the Senate floor.

It was an honor to welcome retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. and current White Lake police officer Steven Bohez as my guest at the Senate Memorial Day Ceremony.

It’s my privilege to participate in this annual event each Memorial Day that honors those who gave all they had for our great nation.

Thank you, Steven, and veterans from across the state for your service to our country.

Michigan summers are a time for the whole family to travel the state, enjoy the warm weather and visit the vibrant festivals that make our communities unique.

The 23rd Senate District covers a number of communities in Oakland County, and there are plenty of fun-filled events for families to enjoy. Below, you’ll find my 2026 summer festival guide, which includes upcoming events in the area that are worth checking out!

Click on the image below for a guide to local events. If you would like a hard copy, please reach out to my office and we would love to send you one.

One of my key responsibilities as a lawmaker is listening to the people who chose me to be their voice in Lansing.

If there is something my office can help with, if you have a question about a state issue, or if you have policy questions or an idea on how to make Michigan stronger, please feel free to contact my office. My staff and I are available to help in any way we can.

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