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

On Sept. 1, I outlined my plan to repeal the 2024 data center tax credits previously passed by Michigan’s Democratic-led Legislature.

People have been left in the dark about data center developments in Michigan despite the clear, long-term effects these projects can have on local communities, natural resources and power grids. Homes are being torn down, farmland is being dug up, and Michigan towns are being left with permanent changes — and the answer is always the same from those in charge: “we can’t talk about it.”

These large-scale, massively impactful developments must be held to the greatest standard of transparency, yet a recent Detroit News story highlighted the often backroom dealings that leave Michigan residents who bear the burdens of these data centers in the dark.

We shouldn’t be paying billion-dollar tech conglomerates to farm Michigan for its land, energy, and water. If they want to come here, they need to do it transparently and bring with them benefits for Michigan residents.

Click here to read more about my plan!

Across Michigan, heartbreaking stories of children being killed and seriously injured by e-bike crashes have been piling up. To address this, I recently introduced legislation that would put age and safety restrictions on these bikes for young children.

Electric bicycles, or e-bikes, can reach top speeds of 30 mph and currently require no safety training or licensing to operate.

Senate Bill 1156 would ban children under the age of 14 from riding an e-bike on a public sidewalk, road or trail. The bill would also require children above the age of 14 and below the age of 18 to have written permission from a parent or guardian and wear a safety helmet while riding.

These are basically mini vehicles. These bikes can have way too much power for young children to be able to manage, which can result in injuries to themselves or to other bicyclists or bystanders.

You can read my full press release here.

Last month, I introduced a bill that would vastly limit the scope and ability of Flock cameras to infringe on people’s right to privacy.

To learn more about my legislation, please read this article or this press release on my website.

Last month, I introduced Senate Bill 1147 to ban the instruction of Critical Race Theory in public schools, and I will continue to sound the alarm on why removing this dangerous ideology is necessary to protect our kids from taxpayer-funded indoctrination.

The Detroit News recently published my guest column calling out the top-heavy administrative bloat that is plaguing Michigan schools.

Three-quarters of districts added staff over the past decade while enrollment fell in 73% of them. Proficiency rates for third-graders and eighth-graders declined in 83% of districts in English language arts and 63% in math. This occurred despite billions more in spending, which included substantial state increases and more than $5 billion in federal COVID aid.

We must demand transparency in staffing ratios, administrative overhead and per-pupil outcomes. We must prioritize resources for classrooms over central offices and administrative bloat. We can expand school choice and allow competition to drive improvement, tie future funding increases to performance rather than enrollment or past practices, reduce unnecessary mandates and support sensible consolidations where enrollment realities demand it.

As lawmakers prepare for ongoing budget oversight, we cannot repeat the mistakes of pouring more money into a broken model. Michigan’s children and taxpayers deserve better. It is time to right the massive wrongs within the system, restore accountability and put every dollar possible toward what works: high-quality instruction in the classroom.

You can read my full column here.

Recent years of Democratic control have placed Michigan in a horrific position in education, economic activity, infrastructure and other critical metrics.

We need to turn our state around and avoid a catastrophe. Click on the videos below!

I was honored to help kick off the 40th anniversary of the Fisk Farm Festival in White Lake Township!

I recently had the privilege of participating in a ride-along with the Michigan State Police. I am grateful for the experience and for the chance to see the invaluable roles they play in the community.

Click here to read more about the ride-along and the great work the Michigan State Police do!

There is a rapid racist and anti-white movement currently occurring in South Africa.

Unsurprisingly, the same ideologies used over there are being pushed by the left in the United States. I had a chance to interview Jaco Kleynhans, a Boer’s-rights activist, about the human rights violations occurring against white South Africans.

The nation’s foremost expert on digital education and technology, Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, discusses a primary reason why so many students are struggling as we cover Michigan’s decline to the bottom of the barrel in education.

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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