Contact:
Matt Bach
Michigan Municipal League
c: (810) 874-1073; [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 16, 2022

Michigan Municipal League Honors Rep. Tate and Sen. Victory as 2022 Legislators of the Year

ANN ARBOR, Michigan – The Michigan Municipal League has honored State Rep. Joe Tate (D-Detroit) and Sen. Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville) as the League’s 2022 Legislators of the Year. Tate and Victory received the recognition this week during the League’s 2022 Capital Conference in Lansing.

Rep. Tate and Sen. Victory were selected for the award based on their exemplary record of advocacy for communities large and small, and for being strong supporters of League efforts to advance legislation that strengthens local governments across the state.

Rep. Tate represents Michigan’s 2nd House District, where he serves a diverse community that includes part of Detroit’s Lower East Side, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe City, and Grosse Pointe Farms. Sen. Victory represents the 30th Senate District, which encompasses Ottawa County.

“Rep. Tate and Sen. Victory came to the State Capital from different places and with different life experiences, but both have been fierce advocates for the diverse communities in their districts,” said Sterling Heights City Councilmember and League Board President Barb Ziarko. “Both have also been key allies for the League’s efforts to strengthen local governments across the state.”

Rep. Tate was first elected to the Legislature in 2018 after serving as a program manager with the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. Sen. Victory served three terms in the Michigan House representing the 88th District prior to his election to the Senate.

Driven by his deep commitment to public service, which was instilled in him by his parents—a teacher in the Detroit public school system and a Detroit firefighter—Rep. Tate’s life has been shaped by teamwork, commitment, and community. As a teenager, he earned a scholarship to play football at Michigan State University before joining the National Football League. After the NFL, he went on to serve in the United States Marine Corps, deploying twice to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. After an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, he earned both an M.B.A. and a Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Planning from the University of Michigan.

With his reputation as a thoughtful consensus builder, Rep. Tate was appointed this term to serve as the minority vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee and chief budget negotiator for House Democrats. Through this key role, Rep. Tate has championed increased funding for revenue sharing, infrastructure investments that address flooding issues and coastal sustainability, and solving Michigan’s housing crisis. He has been a vocal leader in the fight to protect the ability of local governments to regulate short-term property rentals.

Rep. Tate also serves on the General Government; Health & Human Services; and Military, Veterans Affairs & State Police Committees, as well as the Appropriations Subcommittees for Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, and Financial Services.

“I’m deeply honored by this recognition from the League,” Tate said. “I believe there is no higher calling than public service. That’s why I served my country in Afghanistan as a U.S. Marine and it’s why I ran for elected office. I’ve had a lot of amazing opportunities in my life, but nothing has given me more satisfaction—and more opportunities to make Michigan a better place—than representing my district in the state Legislature.”

As the owner of Victory Farms LLC, a year-round specialty crop producer, as well as Victory Sales LLC, a national produce distributor, Sen. Victory brings deep experience and knowledge of Michigan’s agricultural sector to the table. He is an executive board member of the Michigan Vegetable Council and past president of the Ottawa County Farm Bureau. A graduate of Davenport University and Michigan State University’s Great Lakes Leadership Academy, he also serves on the advisory board of the Ottawa County Careerline Tech Center.

In the current legislative session, Sen. Victory chairs the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee and serves as assistant majority whip. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, he also chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development and the Subcommittee on General Government.

Throughout his tenure in the Michigan Legislature, Sen. Victory has been a strong advocate for increasing funding for local revenue sharing, a vital resource that supports first responders and other municipal services. He continues to be a strong voice and ally in support of League budget priorities for roads, bridges, water, sewer and shoreline infrastructure repair. The Senator’s support for communities struggling with legacy debt has put him in a leadership position to push for an even greater state investment in underfunded pension liabilities, and he is working closely with the League to highlight this important issue in 2022. He also has been a strong advocate and bill sponsor for the League’s coalition-developed housing package and works closely with the City of Grand Haven to promote a municipally driven community land trust housing project.

“It is an honor to receive this award from the League,” Victory said. “I am blessed to represent the people of West Michigan and this award is really because of their hard work. Our locals are outspoken and informed on the issues that impact our hometowns. As legislators it is our duty to listen and respond to the needs of our communities.”

Photo Links: State Rep. Joe Tate and State Sen. Roger Victory

About the Legislator of the Year Award: The honor is presented each year 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.

For additional information, contact Matt Bach, Michigan Municipal League assistant director of strategic communications, at [email protected] and (810) 874-1073.