Senator Jim Runestad's Press Releases

By Sen. Jim Runestad 23rd Senate District In December, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) gave DTE Energy a Christmas gift of a $368 million rate increase on homes, businesses, schools and everyone in between. But this rate hike was based on DTE’s projection of what their future costs would be — not the actual costs. Rather than base a multi-million-dollar rate increase on their actual

LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Jim Runestad on Tuesday introduced legislation to slow rising utility rates by requiring companies to adhere to actual cost data instead of anecdotal future projections when seeking rate increase approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). As of December 2023, Michigan’s residential utility customers were paying the 11th highest electricity rates in the nation, according to data from the U.S.

LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Jim Runestad on Monday sent a letter to Michigan Economic Development Corporation CEO Quentin Messer demanding transparency and accountability over a $20 million grant to a Detroit-area businesswoman and MEDC executive committee member after media reports begin to outline a clear misuse of taxpayer funds. The Detroit News recently reported how Fay Beydoun received a no-bid grant for her start-up company

LANSING, Mich. — Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee Minority Vice Chair Jim Runestad announced Friday that he will introduce legislation to penalize individuals who send unsolicited and sexually explicit videos or photos by text or electronic message in the wake of a recent lawsuit against a Michigan State Police detective. “Recent events have brought to light a disturbing breach of trust within our

LANSING, Mich. — Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee Minority Vice Chait Jim Runestad will host a press conference at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 15, to discuss a civil lawsuit that has been filed against a Michigan State Police detective accused of sending unsolicited nude photos to a widow he first interviewed. Who: Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, and Bill Colovos, attorney for

LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Jim Runestad on Wednesday introduced a series of Sunshine Week bills to better assist Michigan residents seeking access to public records under the Freedom of Information Act as well as to increase accountability from the Detroit Institute of Arts and Detroit Zoo to local taxpayers. “I am happy to be able to announce this important legislation during Sunshine Week, which is