LANSING – State Representative Deb Kennedy (D-Brownstown) was appointed by House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford) to the National Committee of State Legislatures (NCSL) Standing Committees on Education and Environment, where she will work with representatives from around the nation in shaping public policy, learning from new laws and managing legislative institutions.
"I am honored to have been recommended by Speaker Dillon to these important committees," said Kennedy, who serves on both the House Education and Great Lakes and Environment committees "As I work at the Capitol to improve our economy and our air, land and water, I look forward to my new role on this national committee. I am eager to interact with other leaders around the country and bring good ideas about education and the environment back to our state."
The NCSL Environment Committee's main purpose is to educate Congress and federal agencies as to state concerns regarding priority environmental issues, and to serve as a forum for legislators and legislative staff to learn and share information about options being considered in other states. Some of the committee's top issues include strategies to improve air quality, global warming, land management and natural resource conservation.
The Education Committee has jurisdiction over a number of national and state education issues, including early childhood education, K-12 reform efforts, higher education, the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the Higher Education Act, school violence, special education, teachers, school finance and adequacy.
"In order for Michigan to be successful in the global 21st century economy, we need to focus on education and the quality of our land, air, and water," Kennedy said. "Michigan has some of the hardest working folks on the planet, but in order to attract good-paying jobs to our state, our workers are going to need to be well-educated. Also, our natural resources are going to be critical to our success in the renewable energy field. I am eager to use this opportunity to work with legislators around the country to help realize our potential in these fields."