Dear neighbor,

Below you will find legislative updates from the state Capitol that are important to the residents of Oakland County. Thank you for taking the time to read my latest newsletter!

Senator Jim Runestad
Serving the 15th State Senate District

I recently introduced legislation to protect Michigan public pensions from politically motivated investing strategies.

The Michigan State University Board of Trustees made headlines when it removed a resolution from its agenda that would have called on companies doing business with the university to oppose the Secure MI Vote ballot initiative. While the board was right to remove it, the fact that it was even considered is troubling. It is imperative that the Legislature act to protect public investments from the political whims of activist board members who are inclined to use their positions of power to push personal partisan agendas.

Senate Bill 1192 would amend the Public Employee Retirement System Investment Act to require that only pecuniary factors, such as risk or return on investment, funding objectives and others be considered in the evaluation of investments — and that any noneconomic, nonfinancial, social, political, or ideological objectives not be considered.

Public boards have a duty to protect the funds that are promised to their retirees and should not be gambling with public money by playing political roulette with their preferred personal ideologies. Sadly, progressive activism has taken hold of corporate boardrooms and public institutions across the country. It’s high time these institutions stop playing politics and start keeping their promises. My bill will protect public funds from bad board actors and their terrible politically motivated ideas.

SB 1192 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance for further consideration.

I recently spoke on the Senate floor in support of Senate Resolution 166, which was adopted to condemn the Michigan Department of Education’s teacher training videos on student gender orientation and reaffirm the fundamental right of parents to direct the education of their children.

We must continue to stand against the assault from politically motivated educational leaders who seek to use students as pawns for their own social agendas. Parents have a fundamental right to direct the care, teaching and education of their own children. Educators should not be keeping any secrets from parents as these very concerning training videos suggest.

Click here or on the image below to hear my full remarks.

The Michigan Legislature recently voted to pass Senate Bill 842, allocating funding from the fiscal year 2023 budget to a new scholarship program, helping students cover the cost of school at one of Michigan’s higher education institutions.

The MI Achievement Scholarship would provide opportunities for students as costs continue to rise in all facets of our lives, including the cost of attendance at community colleges, universities, and trade schools.

Under Michigan’s current financial aid programs, approximately 60,000 students receive some form of financial aid. With full implementation of the MI Achievement Scholarship, that number is expected to double, reaching more than 120,000 students.

The MI Achievement Scholarship would cover a maximum of $2,750 per year for up to three years at a community college; a maximum of $5,500 per year for up to five years at a public university; a maximum of $4,000 per year for five years at an independent or nonprofit college or university; and a maximum of $2,000 per year for up to two years at a qualified occupational training program or private trade school.

Once again, the House and Senate have passed commonsense, bipartisan election reform. This time, the governor signed the measures into law.

House Bill 4491, now Public Act 195 of 2022, requires county clerks to update the Qualified Voter File at least once a month, and no later than the second business day of each month. It also requires the secretary of state to send an electronic notification to the proper city or township clerk notifying them of each canceled registration. The local clerk will then complete the cancellation of the voter registration.
The reform also requires the county board of canvassers to approve the containers used to transport and hold the absentee ballot secrecy envelopes and establishes a secure process for active duty military members serving overseas to electronically return their ballot.

In 2021, the governor vetoed a similar measure, Senate Bill 277, which would have helped to ensure dead people were efficiently removed from the voter lists.

SB 8 and SB 311, now PAs 196 and 197 of 2022, will require the state to establish a process to allow for members of the U.S. armed forces, who are on active duty, absent from the U.S., and not expected to return home in time to cast their vote, to electronically return their ballot to their city or township clerk using their Common Access Card, an encrypted smart card that serves as the identification issued to active duty military members by the U.S. Department of Defense.

A package of bills aimed at increasing road safety was recently signed into law.

House Bills 5569, 5732 and 5772, create a stable funding source for the Secondary Road Patrol (SRP) program and will allow county sheriff offices to provide improved highway safety across their counties.

Taken together, these bills will increase the SRP fund by $5 million each year, up from $10 million to $15 million. This increased, dedicated funding will now come from the liquor fund so the SRP fund is not reliant on unpredictable fees or general fund dollars.

The additional funding will be used to add officers to the road, and the consistent funding source will allow sheriff departments to plan better and give officers more employment stability, improving their recruitment and retention efforts. The funds can be used for employing additional personnel, purchasing equipment, enforcing laws in state and county parks, and providing selective motor vehicle inspection programs.

The fees that previously funded the SRP will now be redirected to fund law enforcement training grants.

I was happy to attend a recent celebration of the 111th National Day of the Republic of China, more commonly referred to as Taiwan, hosted by the Michigan Taiwanese American Organization.

Earlier this year, I co-sponsored Senate Resolution 115 to encourage the United States and Taiwan to further strengthen bilateral trade between our countries and continue our strong economic and trade partnership. Michigan benefits greatly, not only from U.S. trade with Taiwan, but also from our Michigan neighbors of Taiwanese heritage, who contribute so much to the quality of life across Oakland County, the state of Michigan, and beyond.

It’s fall in Michigan! Temperatures are dropping, farm stands and apple orchards are open, and the trees are changing color. Across the state, the leaves are transforming from green to red, orange, and yellow – first slowly and quietly then suddenly in a final explosion of color.

To help you plan your color tour through the state, check out the Pure Michigan fall color map. This interactive tool gives fall color seekers information to find the best locations for fall foliage throughout the state!

October is Firewood Awareness Month. Tree-killing insects and diseases cannot move far on their own but can hide in or on wood. When infected firewood is moved, diseases or invasive pests move along with it, introducing forest pests to new areas. By choosing to buy firewood where you burn it you help prevent the spread of tree pests and diseases.

According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, there are 140 pests and diseases that can be moved with firewood. Some are already present in Michigan, including the spotted lanternfly and beech leaf disease, while others like the Asian longhorn beetle, are infesting nearby states.

By following these simple rules, you can help prevent the spread of harmful invasive species:

With more than 14.9 million apple trees, across 34,500 acres, apples are the largest and most valuable fruit crop in Michigan. Growers dedicate their lives to the industry, operating 775 family-run farms throughout the state.

Farming is an important part of Michigan’s economy. This year’s Michigan apple crop is expected to yield 1.239 billion pounds – well above the crops harvested over the last several years. Those apples will be sold at one of Michigan’s 150 farmers markets and cider mills and in more than 12,000 retail grocery stores in 32 states and 18 countries.

For generations, Michigan natives have visited apple farms and cider mills for apple picking, cider and donuts. October is a great time to share those traditions with friends and family by visiting an apple farm or a cider mill in your area.