1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing about Governor Whitmer’s veto of all nine bills — HB 4177, 4665, 4666, 4667, 4900, 4901, 5817, 5818, and 6058 — after they were finally ordered to her desk following the Michigan Supreme Court’s decision. I know you fought hard for these bills, including bringing the lawsuit against the House to force presentment, and I appreciate that fight. But I am extremely disappointed and frustrated that it ended this way. These bills passed both chambers in 2024 under a Democratic trifecta. They would have lowered health care costs for teachers and public employees, improved retirement security for corrections officers during a staffing crisis, and delivered real relief to working Michiganders. After more than a year of litigation to get them presented, the Governor vetoed every single one. The Michigan AFL-CIO, UAW, and Michigan Education Association said it best in their joint statement: this veto “betrays democratic values and abandons the very people who have supported her in office… This veto is an insult to every hard-working Michigander fighting for economic justice. We condemn her betrayal of Michigan workers, and call on political leaders who value our state’s working families to do the same.” I share that assessment completely, and I am glad you have expressed your own disappointment publicly. This veto also isn’t happening in isolation. It comes as the Governor has embraced the massive Oracle/OpenAI data center in Saline Township, appearing at its groundbreaking while rejecting legislative proposals to pause data center authorizations, despite real community concerns about energy demand, water use, and rising utility costs. Michigan workers and communities deserve leaders who put them first, not corporate interests. I am asking you directly to: 1. Lead the effort to reintroduce these nine bills, with updated effective dates, as soon as possible. 2. Continue holding the Governor and House accountable, publicly and specifically, until this is fixed. 3. Support stronger, enforceable protections for communities affected by data center development. My support for Democratic candidates and leaders going forward depends on seeing this legislation passed and signed into law. I hope you will keep fighting for that, and I would appreciate a response on your plan moving forward.