Legislative Leadership Program -- 1994 to Now

In the 2007 legislative session, the Michigan House of Representatives welcomed 32 new lawmakers into the state chamber. Twenty-two of those freshmen legislators voluntarily participated in a three-day conference in the December before they took office to learn about pressing state issues. Together, they discussed such issues as the economy, health care, education and the businesses tax at the 2006 Institute for the MSU Legislative Leadership Program.

The Legislative Leadership Program is co-sponsored by the Michigan State University Institute for Public Policy and Social Research and MSU Extension. It strives to create links among lawmakers and university resources. Since its 1994 inception, LLP has offered newly elected legislators a forum, in the December prior to taking their new seats, to help meet the challenges of serving in a state with term limits. To meet these challenges, the LLP provides current research and evidence-based information on emerging issues affecting Michigan. Importantly, the program links university resources with the legislative process through a series of presenters.

Several resource specialists from across the state participated along with Michigan State University professors at the 2006 Legislative Leadership Program. This year, panelists included economist Charles Ballard, education policy expert Shariff Shakrani, Ingham County Department of Community Health Medical Director Dean Sienko, University of Michigan Economist Rebecca Blank, Citizens Research Council of Michigan Director of State Affairs Tom Clay and W.E. Upjohn Institute’s Tim Bartik.

The Legislative Leadership Program builds on MSU's long-standing tradition of providing leadership training to state and county officials, community leaders, and aspiring public officials. The LLP is consistent with the policy and research education efforts conducted both on and off campus in of support state legislators, their staffs and their communities. It is also a companion program to IPPSR's Public Policy Forums, an annual series of panel dialogue and discussion to illuminate the latest public policy research.

Contact AnnMarie Schneider, Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, Michigan State University, 321 Berkey Hall, East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1111, (517) 353-1738, or Email: annmarie@msu.edu

For a list of candidates, visit the Michigan Board of Elections.

Learn more about the Legislative Leadership Program