LANSING – State Representative Richard LeBlanc (D-Westland) is among 37 lawmakers chosen from 11 Midwestern states and three Canadian provinces to attend the Council of State Governments' annual legislative leadership conference.
"I am honored to have been chosen to attend this conference and show that while we've been knocked down here in Michigan, we're certainly not out," LeBlanc said. "As the voice of our community in Lansing, I take my job very seriously – that's why I've never missed a vote. I will be missing House session for the first time to attend this conference and while it was a difficult decision, attending this conference will help me better represent our community and move our great state forward."
Since 1995, more than 475 lawmakers have attended the Council of State Governments' Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development conference. In addition to attending courses designed to develop leadership skills, lawmakers analyze a variety of public policy issues, including health care, energy and the economy.
State legislators from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin are chosen to attend the conference through a competitive, nonpartisan selection process. Members of the Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan legislative assemblies in Canada are selected by their peers.
The 15th annual leadership development conference will be held July 10 through 14 in Madison, Wis.
"Michigan is ground zero for many of the issues that are also affecting our neighboring states," LeBlanc said. "I am eager to work with my fellow lawmakers from across the Midwest to bring innovative ideas back to Michigan to boost our economy and get our state back on track."