as Legislators of the Year
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Municipal League has named State Representatives Amos O’Neal and Mark Tisdel as Legislators of the Year. Representatives O’Neal, D-Saginaw, and Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills, received the honor yesterday, March 12, at the League’s 2024 Capital Confrerence in Lansing.
This award 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 for their efforts in fighting consistently to support local government.
“We are grateful for the advocacy of Representatives O’Neal and Tisdel on behalf of our communities,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the League. “They both consistently support legislation to address local government issues, including their championing of bills to establish a Revenue Sharing Trust Fund. Their leadership and commitment to service have earned them respect from their colleagues on both sides of the aisle.”
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.
“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 well-being.”
Representative Tisdel has proudly represented Greater Rochester in the Michigan House of Representatives since 2021. He represents the 55th House District, which includes the cities of Rochester and Rochester Hills and part of Oakland Township.
In the House, Tisdel has been a leader on bipartisan issues. Several of his bipartisan bills have been signed into law. He spearheaded a bipartisan law to protect online shoppers from scammers, and as majority vice chair on the House Tax Policy Committee, he sponsored other successful efforts to provide tax savings for small businesses and simplify tax collection processes. In 2021, he helped secure state funding to support Innovation Hills, an inclusive, all-abilities park in Rochester Hills. He has also introduced bipartisan plans to incentivize gun safety and to make state government more transparent to the people of Michigan.
“I am sincerely honored and grateful for this award from the Michigan Municipal League,” said Tisdel. “Communities are at the heart of Michiganders’ daily lives, and our local governments dutifully facilitate important services and amenities, from police to parks. I am eager to continue partnering with the League in the coming years so we can secure prosperity and success for Michigan residents in all our local communities.”
Photos from the League’s 2024 CapCon: https://www.flickr.com/photos/michigancommunities/sets/72177720315148281/
For additional information contact the League’s Jessica Weirauch, Director of Marketing and Communications, at 734-669-6311 and jweirauch@mml.org.
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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