LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Aric Nesbitt on Thursday voted to override Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s veto of legislation to ensure whistleblower protections for state employees.
“I am disappointed in the governor’s veto of these employee protections, and more so with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, who refused to override the veto, despite voting for the bill when it passed the Senate,” said Nesbitt, R-Lawton. “Reviewing important information about how state programs and services are operating is critical to ensuring government is operating both effectively and responsibly.”
The Michigan Whistleblower Protection Act was created 40 years ago to protect employees from retribution if they report their employer to a public body for violation of a law, rule or regulation. It applies to all public and private employees except state classified civil service employees.
Senate Bill 686 would have amended the act to protect state employees who communicate with members of the Legislature.
The veto override failed because the Senate vote did not meet the two-thirds requirement.
“State employees should be allowed, and even encouraged to come forward about corruption or wasteful spending without fear of repercussions,” Nesbitt said. “I can’t imagine why our governor chose to veto a bill allowing state employees to talk to their legislators about wasteful spending or other problems.”
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