1st Indian American elected to the legislature in Michigan.
By The American Bazaar Staff
WASHINGTON, DC: The first Indian American state representative from Michigan, Sam Singh, a Democrat, has been appointed the Minority Floor Leader for the 2015-2016 legislative session.
In his new position, Singh will be a liaison between the Republican and Democratic delegations, reported The State News.
“My position works very closely with the Republican floor leader to make sure, as we discuss policy, that ideas from both sides of the aisle are being heard, and work closely with my Democratic colleagues to make sure our ideas and voices are heard here at the Capitol,” Singh said.
Singh is serving his second term representing Michigan’s 69th House District, which includes East Lansing, Haslett, Okemos, Williamstown Township, and Locke Township.
Although only 49 of the 110 state representatives are Democrats, Singh said things can be achieved working in a bipartisan way, the State News report said.
“Last term I think we did a number of good things in a bipartisan fashion,” Singh said. “We were able to put together a roads package, we were able to increase funding to higher education, we were able to increase the minimum wage and so there are times that we will take ideas from our side and work with our Republican colleagues to try to make them happen.”
Singh plans to reintroduce a bill that grants money for higher education scholarships, and will also reintroduce the expansion of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to members of the LGBT community — the expansion will prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation,
Singh’s parents immigrated to Michigan from India in the 1960s, and he says on his website that from an early age, his parents taught him the value of giving back to the country that has given them so much.
Before serving in the legislature, Singh was elected to the East Lansing City Council at age 24. Her served 10 years on the council and one term as mayor.
Singh also served as the president and CEO of the Michigan Nonprofit Association and, before being elected, worked on the New Economy Initiative, which supports moving Michigan to a knowledge-based economy with education and job training to ensure worker competitiveness, and helping new businesses and entrepreneurs create thousands of jobs.
Singh and his wife, Kerry, live in East Lansing.