Senator Jim Runestad's Press Releases

LANSING, MI — State Sen. Jim Runestad on Wednesday criticized a plea deal struck with former Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith who was finally sentenced after years of investigation that initially saw him facing 10 felonies relating to corruption. “Attorney General Dana Nessel’s sweetheart deal sends a signal to politicians and bureaucrats that Michigan is weak on corruption,” said Runestad, R-White Lake Township. “In the generous

LANSING, MI — State Sen. Jim Runestad has finalized a substitute to his bill that would increase transparency for the lobbying efforts of Michigan’s utility companies. His legislation, Senate Bill 296, was introduced in April and would establish reporting requirements for utility providers in order to make their lobbying efforts more transparent. While the initial bill directly covered the public utilities and the charitable, tax exempt

 LANSING, MI – State Sen. Jim Runestad will join several elected officials to demand Attorney General Dana Nessel toughen her sweetheart deal with criminal former Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith. The plea deal that would diminish prison time and reduce restitution for $600,000 stolen from public coffers. A press conference will start at 10 a.m. at the Macomb County Administration Building. “AG Dana Nessel, you must

Attorney General Nessel, In 2017, my constituents came to me with a desire for justice. For months, they had been watching the trials of Detroit city officials; superintendents, councilmembers, and principles. They saw one after another charged with crimes — many of them felonies — for corruption, embezzlement, and even bank robbery. These officials were charged and sentenced, but then, to the great surprise of my

LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Jim Runestad expressed his condolences about the recent death of former state Rep. Gary Glenn, R-Midland, who passed away on July 27 after an extended and inspiring battle with stage 4 cancer diagnosed in 2016 during his first year in the state House of Representatives. “It was a privilege to have worked with Gary Glenn. He was an excellent representative and

LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Jim Runestad will introduce legislation to expand fairness in college admission standards across Michigan by barring consideration of an applicant’s legacy relationships. “The Supreme Court sent a clear message this summer when it struck down affirmative action practices in college admissions for violating equal rights protected by the 14th Amendment, highlighting the need to ensure that all students have an equal