Michigan Municipal League Names Pappageorge one of Three Legislators of the Year
(MML Press Release, Oct. 18, 2014)
The Michigan Municipal League has honored State Sen. John Pappageorge (R-Troy); Sen. Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba); and Rep. Nancy Jenkins (R-Clayton) as the League’s 2014 Legislators of the Year. The awards were formerly presented to Sen. Pappageorge, Sen. Casperson and Rep. Jenkins during the League’s Annual Convention Oct. 16, 2014, in Marquette.
Sen. Pappageorge represents the state’s 13^th Senate District in Oakland County, which includes the cities of Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Clawson, Madison Heights, Royal Oak, and Troy, as well as Bloomfield Township. Rep. Jenkins represents Michigan’s 57^th House District, which covers most of Lenawee County, including the cities of Adrian, Hudson, Morenci, and Tecumseh. Sen. Casperson represents Michigan’s 38^th Senate District, which covers the middle and western portions of the Upper Peninsula, including the cities of Escanaba, Houghton, Ironwood, Marquette, and Menominee.
“These three lawmakers are strong supporters of the placemaking concept and believe in the important role our communities play in advancing Michigan’s economic recovery,” said League CEO and Executive Director Dan Gilmartin. “They do an excellent job fighting not only for their local communities, but for communities across the state.”
Sen. Pappageorge, who also was named a Legislator of the Year in 2013, has been a vocal advocate for cities and villages during his time in the Senate, Gilmartin said. As chair of both the General Government and Transportation Appropriation subcommittees, he has fought for more funding for revenue sharing for communities and more money for transportation. This year he recommended eliminating the burdensome Economic Vitality Incentive Program (EVIP) requirements, and won that fight.
“Senator Pappageorge has asked us to never say the acronym ‘EVIP’ again, and we are grateful that his leadership means we never have to,” Gilmartin said. “During nearly every committee hearing he is pushing not only for increased financial support for communities, but also local control. Senator Pappageorge’s advocacy has benefited not only the communities in his district, but those all across the state of Michigan.”
As chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Sen. Casperson has committed a significant amount of time and resources to creating a successful transportation network in Michigan. He has been an advocate and supporter of increased transit options in Southeast Michigan, and has publicly expressed his desire to increase transportation funding. He also supports removing cumbersome and repetitive requirements that communities must go through to receive various funding.
“Senator Casperson recognizes the tremendous amount of effort cities and villages have put forth to do more with less, and believes burdening them with redundant requirements does not make them more efficient,” Gilmartin said. “Senator Casperson has been very successful in crafting policy that has positively impacted communities from the Upper Peninsula to Detroit, and we are thankful for his leadership and support.”
Rep. Jenkins is a strong advocate for equity-based crowdfunding in Michigan, which involves Michigan residents supporting Michigan businesses they know, love and appreciate. This unique form of financing will help spur economic development in new and existing businesses.
“Not only has Representative Jenkins introduced and successfully signed into law this piece of legislation to allow intrastate equity crowdfunding, she also has another piece of legislation to further grow crowdfunding by creating the ability to form and set parameters around local stock exchanges in Michigan,” Gilmartin said. “We sincerely thank Representative Jenkins for all of her dedication to helping our small businesses and local communities.”
About the Legislator of the Year Award: The honor is presented each fall to lawmakers for their instrumental actions in the Michigan State Legislature on behalf of local communities. These individuals are recognized for their efforts in the passage of legislation that will benefit local governments or who have fought consistently to support local government.
Michigan Municipal League advocates on behalf of its member communities in Lansing, Washington, D.C., and the courts; provides educational opportunities for elected and appointed municipal officials; and assists municipal leaders in administering services to their communities through League programs and services. Find out more at www.mml.org.