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 recently met with Vice President JD Vance at Vantage Plastics, a manufacturing company in Bay City. Vance’s visit to Michigan was part of a nationwide tour demonstrating the president’s commitment to growing American industry.

With leaders who believe in the might of United States manufacturing, we can ensure that jobs, innovation and prosperity flourish here at home.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President, for your visit to Michigan! You are always welcome here!

During a recent press conference with Republican legislators, I scolded Lansing Democrats for pushing radical transgender policies in order to appeal to a “small woke class of special interests.”

Democrats continue to refuse to protect girls-only spaces and are putting girls in danger as if that’s all they care about. Click on the image below to listen to my full remarks.

On March 18, Senate Democrats proposed and passed a “resolution affirming that the Michigan Senate recognizes diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential foundational principles,” while refusing to allow debate on important bills that would address the dangerous fentanyl epidemic in Michigan.

I delivered a speech on the Senate floor deploring this waste of Michigan taxpayer’s time.

Every village, city and township in this state has been impacted by the fentanyl crisis. An estimated 3,000 Michigan lives have been lost since the Michigan Senate has last considered legislation to crack down on fentanyl distribution. Illegal fentanyl continues to be dangerous for Michigan communities and should be on the top of the Michigan Legislature’s agenda.

This tone-deaf act from the Democratic majority shows where their true priorities lie — virtue signaling to liberals, not the safety of Michigan residents and their communities.

Click on the image below to listen to my full remarks or read more about this issue here.

I recently spoke out against Michigan’s economic development programs under the leadership of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer following reports that an electric vehicle battery manufacturer that banked $900,000 in business development grants will close two plants and lay off nearly 200 workers as it moves production out of state.

This is just the latest example of our governor’s short-sighted, failed corporate handouts hurting Michigan in the long run. Another company is walking away from its promises after pocketing nearly a million in taxpayer dollars with no repercussions.

Click here to read more of my remarks or here to read more about the plant closings.

I joined other Michigan legislators in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to allow us to have standing regarding election law cases.

Click here to read more about how “ legislators are asking the high court to accept the case and rule that state lawmakers have individual standing to file the challenge and do not have to wait on formal action by the GOP-controlled House and the Senate, which is controlled by Democrats.”

I recently joined Sen. Joseph Bellino, R-Monroe, recently in calling on the Michigan Senate to withhold state dollars from colleges, universities and local communities that work to defy federal immigration laws as part of legislation closing out the fiscal year budget.

Our public universities and community colleges receive hundreds of millions of dollars from taxpayers every year — that’s the people’s money being given to higher education. In return for such a tremendous financial investment, you would think that — at a bare minimum — they should be expected to follow the law. Any public university or community college indicating they won’t follow our immigration laws should not receive any taxpayer funds. If you won’t follow the law, you shouldn’t get public money.

Click here to read more.

Members of my office recently visited Oakland Schools Technical Campuses (OSTC), which are designed for junior or senior high school students across Oakland County who want to graduate high school with industry certifications, on-the-job experiences, business connections and college credits. The programs are designed to help students who want to get a head start on their careers and gain real-life work experiences prior to entering college or the workforce. Students who participate in OSTC continue to attend their high school classes but also spend part of their day at the technical school campus.

OSTC’s four campuses feature small class settings, expert faculty and real-world experiences at no cost to families. Program offerings are diverse and extensive, ranging from culinary arts and hospitality to cybersecurity and health sciences, along with more traditional offerings like automotive technologies. Parents and students can contact OSTC to schedule their own tour. Click here to learn more.

I was able to meet with a group of students from St. Patrick Catholic School in White Lake during their recent visit to the state Capitol. They were a great reminder of the importance of the future we are fighting for.

My office is offering in-district office hours for constituents in the 23rd District. These meetings provide an opportunity for community members to receive assistance and connect with my district director, Annette LeBaron, in a more personal way.

Office hours will take place on the first Tuesday of each month at White Lake Charter Township Hall. Appointments must be scheduled in advance by contacting Annette at ALebaron@senate.michigan.gov or 517-373-2470.

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