The Michigan Legislative Black Caucus is sponsoring a summit from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday in the House Appropriations Room of the state Capitol to educate the public and provide information about the legislative process.
The caucus, which consists of 23 members of the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate, sets up programs to inform minorities about public issues.
The summits theme is Empowerment, Evaluation-Engagement-Enlightenment, and will provide forums on issues such as economic development, health care and election reform.
The event was coordinated by caucus members state Rep. Mike Murphy, D-Lansing, and state Rep. Nancy Quarles, D-Southfield.
This is an annual caucus event designed to bring people from all across the state, especially from our cities, to dialogue and to learn about state government and some of the issues, Murhy said.
Quarles said she thinks events that connect legislators to their constituents are imperative.
This is one of the vehicles that gives the constituents an opportunity to come to the Capitol and walk the halls, she said. Many times, we think the type of policy we are developing is the policy that is needed for a constituency.
By having this face to face exchange, it will allow the legislature a chance to hear what is important to people and get the perspective from experts in the field.
Caucus member and state Rep. Artina Tinsley Hardman, D-Detroit, said town hall meetings are also a way for minorities to become familiar with legislators.
We find that wherever we go that has a concentration of minorities, the issues are the same - transportation, housing and health care, she said.