Press Release
Contact:
Matt Bach
Director of Communications
Michigan Municipal League
(734) 669-6317; C: (810) 874-1073
[email protected]; www.mml.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 25, 2019
State Sen. Jim Stamas Named Legislator of the Year
Lawmaker Honored by Michigan Municipal League
LANSING, Michigan – The Michigan Municipal League has honored State Sen. Jim Stamas (R-Midland) as one of the League’s 2019 Legislators of the Year. The award was formally presented to Sen. Stamas during the League’s annual Capital Conference Awards Gala March 19 in Lansing.
Sen. Stamas represents Michigan’s 36th Senate District, which includes Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Gladwin, Iosco, Midland, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle counties.
“His district is large geographically, but Sen. Stamas takes an interest and is active in each of his communities,” said Rogers City Mayor Scott McLennan, who, along with Joe Hefele, city manager for Rogers City, presented Sen. Stamas the award Tuesday. “For example, throughout 2018 Sen. Stamas championed numerous issues that benefitted member communities, including Rogers City. He is a legislator that the League frequently turns to for advice and assistance on issues important to municipalities in Michigan.”
During 2018, Sen. Stamas championed numerous issues that benefitted League member communities. His work on behalf of the City of Rogers City provided the critical momentum needed to secure passage of the extension and expansion of the pension bonding tool for local units of government. Sen. Stamas partnered with the League in negotiating with Treasury and the governor’s office throughout the late summer and fall to gain support for that legislation, and he was responsible for ensuring its passage during the last days of the Lame Duck session.
Sen. Stamas also partnered with the League and responded to our request for legislation that protected local debt limits from inadvertent negative consequences resulting from the new personal property tax law. Through Sen. Stamas’ involvement, the new property tax assessing reforms that had been proposed by the State Treasurer were significantly overhauled, with the final product receiving near unanimous support from local government organizations, including the League. Throughout the summer, Sen. Stamas met with local government officials through multiple public forums and workgroup sessions to hear and try to address their concerns. His efforts helped produce a successful compromise where he was also able to insert language promoted by the League that will benefit dozens of League member villages throughout the state.
Sen. Stamas worked closely with the League on changes to the state’s fireworks law and with the City of Alpena as they sought to resolve a Renaissance Zone issue in that community. While his district is large geographically, Sen. Stamas has strong relationships with the municipal officials throughout his district. He is a legislator that the League frequently turns to for advice and assistance on issues important to municipalities in Michigan.
“As someone who started in local government, I understand and appreciate the important work being done every day in our communities,” said Sen. Stamas. “Our local governments regularly provide residents with vital services that enable them to grow and thrive. I am honored to be recognized for supporting our local communities and look forward to continuing to work with the Michigan Municipal League to make our state the best place in the country for families, workers and job creators.”
Stamas received the Legislator of the Year award along with Rep. Jim Lilly (R-Macatawa).
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 photos of Stamas receiving the award go to this Michigan Municipal League “Awards and Honors Photos” album on flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/michigancommunities/albums/72157677160400387. Photos can be downloaded from the League’s flickr page for free. We just ask that the following photo credit be given: Flickr Photo Michigan Municipal League/mml.org.
For additional information contact the League’s Matt Bach, director of communications, at (734) 669-6317 (office) and [email protected].
About the League: 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.