LANSING – State Representative Andy Coulouris (D-Saginaw) has been named the 2009 Michigan Legislator of the Year by the Michigan Municipal League in recognition of his work to protect funding for local communities.
"Representative Coulouris has been a champion in fighting for local communities to receive essential funding to provide the services that our residents need and deserve," said Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League. "He understands that local governments need support to keep residents safe and healthy and to build communities that attract new job providers. We look forward to our continuing work with Representative Coulouris to enact more policies that will make Michigan a great place once again."
Coulouris has worked closely with communities during these tough economic times to help secure and protect the much-needed funding that keeps police, fire and other vital local services operating, keeping residents and families safe. During recent budget negotiations, Coulouris fought to prevent massive reductions in revenue sharing payments to local governments.
"It means a great deal to me to be honored by the Michigan Municipal League," Coulouris said. "We must protect funding for local communities so we can keep firefighters and police officers on the streets, keep our cities safe and clean, and make our neighborhoods attractive places to live, work, do business and raise a family. I will continue fighting for resources that local communities need to serve our residents and turn our state around."