Water Priorities in the 2023 Michigan State Legislature

The discussion, moderated by Bridge Michigan environment reporter Kelly House, will feature expert panelists who will share their knowledge of key Michigan political issues pertaining to water, and their insights on what a change of power in Lansing means (or doesn’t mean) for Michigan’s approach to issue such as water affordability, infrastructure upgrades, agricultural pollution and the like.

Register now, and keep an eye on this page for further information about the panelists joining us for this conversation. Current confirmed panelists include:

• Jeremy Orr - Adjunct Law Professor, Michigan State University College of Law. Jeremy is a Detroit-based attorney and law professor at Michigan State University College of Law. Mr. Orr specializes in environmental and civil rights law with a primary focus on ensuring that overburdened communities have access to safe drinking water.

• Herasanna Richards, Legislative Associate, State & Federal Affairs with the Michigan Municipal League. Herasanna leads the League’s efforts on legislative issues related to energy, environmental, technology and public safety on behalf of Michigan’s over 520 cities and villages. Her work supports coastal resiliency in response to the devastating 2019 impact of shoreline erosion and high waters and the development of Michigan's PFAS Drinking Water Standards. In addition, Herasanna played a key role in the development, planning and administration of the over 60-member Coalition for a Strong and Prosperous Michigan which guided the investment of $4.4 billion of Michigan’s American Rescue Plan allocation into critical area of need, including water, infrastructure and the environment.

• Nicholas Occhipinti, Government Affairs Director, Michigan LCV. Nicholas leads the organization's policy and legislative advocacy work in Lansing. Before joining Michigan LCV, Nicholas served for six years as the Policy and Community Activism Director for the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC). Nick has a broad range of environmental policy experience having worked as a staffer for the Chair of Hawaii’s State Senate Energy and Environment Committee, in Lansing for the Granholm administration, and at the Rocky Mountain Institute — an energy think and do tank. He has also worked directly in communities as a field organizer for the Obama campaign in 2008 and as a Corps Member for AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in Political Science and a Masters degree in Public Policy.

• Senator Sam Singh Sam’s story is one of civic engagement and public service. Sam’s parents immigrated to Michigan from India in the 1960s for a better life and an opportunity for the American Dream. From an early age, Sam’s parents taught him the value of giving back to the country that has given them so much. Sam took those lessons to heart, and has spent the past 25 years making a career of supporting the mid-Michigan area through his work in philanthropy and public service both previously in public service as the mayor of East Lansing from 2005-2007, a member of the Michigan State House of Representatives from 2013-2019, and currently as the state senator for Michigan’s 28th senate district.