State Rep. Julie Calley today expressed deep disappointment in the governor’s decision to veto a plan designed to improve the accountability and integrity of state government.

Calley, of Portland, said she strongly supports Senate Bill 686, which would have prohibited state agencies from punishing employees for communicating with legislators. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed the legislation this week, even though the proposal passed with unanimous bipartisan support in both the Michigan House and Senate.

“Gov. Whitmer frequently tells the people of Michigan that she wants to build bridges, but the actions she has taken say, ‘my way or the highway,’” Calley said. “Building bridges starts with communication and transparency. Making state employees fear reprisal for sharing their thoughts with a legislator goes against that vary notion.”

The Legislature had included whistleblower protections for state employees within each budget since 2006. However, Gov. Whitmer stripped the language laying out the protections after the passage of the budget for the current fiscal year, signifying she would allow her departments to punish civil servants for talking to members of the Legislature.

Calley said there are many reasons an employee might want to contact a member of the Legislature, including to report illegal activity, get help with a state government issue, improve or question a process in state government, or advocate their personal position on legislation.

“Often, state employees have fantastic ideas to create efficiencies and save taxpayers money,” Calley said. “It is imperative that they have the freedom to communicate with legislators.”

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