New Great Lakes Legislative Caucus Website

Mar 26: The Great Lakes Legislative Caucus has launched a new website which they say will better serve state lawmakers interested in issues related to Great Lakes protection and restoration. The Caucus operates as part of the Midwestern Office of The Council of State Governments (CSG) which provides staffing services and funding for the caucus is provided by the Joyce Foundation. The Great Lakes Legislative Caucus is a nonpartisan group of state and provincial lawmakers from eight U.S. states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin) and two Canadian provinces (Ontario and Quebec). Michigan Senator Patricia Birkholz (R) serves as chair of the caucus.

Highlights of the website include: 1) links to the caucus's Great Lakes state and federal legislative trackers, 2) maps of the Great Lakes basin's state and federal legislative districts, as well as a list of legislators representing the basin, 3) a page devoted to information on upcoming caucus events and activities, 4) a recap of the latest news impacting the Great Lakes and the legislators who represent it, 5) and a forum for caucus members to exchange ideas with one another.

The Caucus has announced is planning to hold two regional teleconferences. The first call will be held April 25 and will focus on Great Lakes water quality and pollution prevention efforts. The second conference call will be held May 19 and will feature a presentation by the Brookings Institution's John Austin, who will examine the role that Great Lakes protection and restoration can play in strengthening the region's economy. Additionally, on June 13 and 14, the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus will meet in Chicago where legislators will have the chance to learn more about key Great Lakes-related environmental issues and policy trends. At the meeting, legislators also will have the chance to learn from and work with one another on state strategies to protect the lakes. The event will include a mix of programming and discussion opportunities.

Access the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus website (click here). Access a release with further details on the upcoming events of the Caucus (click here). Access the Midwestern CSG website (click here).