Contact:
Jessica Weirauch
Michigan Municipal League
[email protected], 734-669-6311
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 14, 2024
LANSING, Michigan – The Michigan Municipal League has named former League Trustee, Representative Amos O’Neal as the League’s Legislator of the Year. Representative O’Neal, D-Saginaw, received the award yesterday, March 12, at the League’s 2024 CapCon in Lansing.
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.
“Representative O’Neal’s leadership has been crucial to issues affecting those at the local level,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League. “He championed legislation to establish a Revenue Sharing Trust Fund, our top legislative priority. In addition, he has helped direct substantial funding to other important areas such as infrastructure, housing and placemaking. He also plays an active role in criminal justice reform. We are grateful for his advocacy on behalf of local government.”
Representative O’Neal is serving his second term representing the 94th House District. The district encompasses Bridgeport Township, Buena Vista Charter Township, Carrollton Township, Saginaw City, Saginaw Township and Spaulding Township.
As a legislator, O’Neal was named Tri-County Building Trades Labor Person of the Year in 2022 and Michigan Pipe Trades Legislator of the Year and awarded the 2022 fellowship for the 27th Annual Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development. In 2023, O’Neal was awarded the Michigan After School Partnership Legislative Champion Award and named the 2023 Ducks Unlimited Legislator of the Year. He continues to work for criminal justice reform. As chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Corrections, he advocates for adequate funding for improved prison systems, well-trained corrections officers and beneficial prisoner support resources.
O’Neal earned a degree in business administration from Northwood University after he graduated from Saginaw High School. He is also a proud graduate of the Leadership Development Institute at Saginaw Valley State University and the Saginaw Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program.
A long-time activist for his community, he served on the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners for four years and spent 13 years on the Saginaw City Council, which included his service as mayor pro tem. During his time in local government, O’Neal served on various boards and committees throughout Saginaw County, including as chair of the Saginaw County Commission’s Committee on Health and Human Services and member of the Michigan Works! Operations Board and the HIV/AIDS Task Force. He was recognized for his work with the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award from the Boy Scouts and the President’s Award from the Saginaw Chamber of Commerce.
“It is such a blessing and an honor to be named 2024’s Legislator of the Year by the Michigan Municipal League,” said O’Neal. “Local governments play a vital role in the work we do here in the Legislature. This last year’s budget contained a five percent ongoing city, village and township revenue-sharing increase, and not only that, a two percent one-time revenue-sharing payment for public safety. As we continue, and as vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee, I will persist in advocating for our local governments’ success and wellbeing.”
Representative O’Neal received the award along with Representative Mark Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills.
Photos from the League’s 2024 CapCon.
For additional information contact the League’s Jessica Weirauch, Director of Marketing and Communications, at 734-669-6631 and [email protected].
Michigan Municipal League is dedicated to making Michigan’s communities better by thoughtfully innovating programs, energetically connecting ideas and people, actively serving members with resources and services, and passionately inspiring positive change for Michigan’s greatest centers of potential: its communities. The 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. Learn more at mml.org.
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