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Michigan Municipal League Honors State Rep. Tate as Legislator of the Year

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 16, 2022

Michigan Municipal League Honors State Rep. Tate as Legislator of the Year

ANN ARBOR, Michigan – The Michigan Municipal League has named State Representative Joe Tate (D-Detroit) as the League’s 2022 Legislator of the Year. Rep. Tate received the recognition this week during the League’s 2022 in Capital Conference in Lansing.

Rep. Tate recently began his second term representing 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. Prior to his election to the Michigan House, Tate worked as a program manager for the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, where he gained a deep understanding for the challenges and opportunities facing cities.

“Joe Tate’s experience and insights have been critical on issues like economic and community development, local control, and revenue sharing. He has been a strong advocate for the defense industry in southeastern Michigan, especially in Sterling Heights,” said Sterling Heights City Councilmember and League Board President Barb Ziarko. “In addition to being loved in his district, Rep. Tate is well-respected by his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. We’re grateful for his expertise and his strong advocacy on behalf of his district and on issues important to local governments across the state.”

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 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.”

Rep. Tate received the Legislator of the Year honor alongside Sen. Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville).

Photo Link: State Rep. Joe Tate

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.

 

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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