Senator Jim Runestad's Press Releases

LANSING, Mich. — The state Senate on Tuesday adopted Sen. Jim Runestad’s resolution to affirm Michigan’s commitment to strengthening and deepening ties with Taiwan and to support the island nation’s participation in global affairs. “It was important to adopt this meaningful resolution of continued friendship with Taiwan,” said Runestad, R-White Lake. “Our state benefits greatly, not only from U.S. trade with Taiwan, but also from our

LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Jim Runestad said Thursday he will soon introduce legislation to require financial disclosure on any perks lawmakers receive from organizations that are not registered as lobbyists. “These disclosure requirements would provide transparency on how lawmakers use money from donors potentially aiming to influence them,” said Runestad, R-White Lake. “Nonprofit organizations and other entities that aren’t officially registered to lobby will often

LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Jim Runestad on Tuesday filed legislation to require greater transparency for appropriation requests sponsored by individual lawmakers. “The people of Michigan deserve to know where their money is being spent and who is benefiting from those dollars,” said Runestad, R-White Lake. “At the very least, a legislator must be willing to put his or her name on any special request, certify

LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Jim Runestad on Tuesday introduced legislation to address transparency and accountability concerns with the state’s major utility companies. “The Michigan residents who pay the bills to fund our state’s colossal energy companies deserve better,” said Runestad, R-White Lake. “It is time to shine the light of transparency onto this powerful and influential interest group. It is time to give consumers and

By Sen. Jim Runestad 23rd Senate District When Gov. Gretchen Whitmer first ran for office, she released a 10-point “sunshine plan” that was supposed to make state government “more open, transparent and accountable to Michigan taxpayers.” Among other things, she promised to promote financial disclosure for legislators, to toughen lobbying rules, and to open her own office to Freedom of Information Act requests — with or

LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Jim Runestad said Thursday that he will introduce legislation to address transparency and accountability concerns with the state’s major utility companies after the Legislature returns from its spring break next week. “Michigan continues to rate very poorly when it comes to government transparency, and I will continue to push legislation that will shine light into the darkest corners of our bureaucracy,”