LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Roger Victory on Thursday voted to override Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s veto of legislation to ensure whistleblower protections for state employees.
“The ability of the state Legislature to get important information about how programs and services are operating is critical to ensuring effective government,” said Victory, R-Hudsonville. “The good folks of Ottawa County and our state deserve a government where employees are allowed and encouraged to come forward about corruption or wasteful spending without fear of being fired.
“I am disappointed the governor vetoed this whistleblower protection and that the Senate Democrats refused to override the veto — even though they voted for the bill when it passed the Senate.”
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.
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