MINNEAPOLIS, MN — State Rep. Padma Kuppa (D-Troy) has been awarded a fellowship to attend the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD) training program for Midwestern legislators. This educational experience offers leadership training, policy sessions and seminars covering topics including education, criminal justice, health care and economic development, led by nationally renowned scholars, professional development experts, and other legislative leaders from across the Midwest region.

“I am truly humbled to have been recognized for this opportunity and look forward to the discussions these five days will foster with my colleagues from across our region,” said Kuppa. “We have a responsibility as elected officials to continue learning and challenging ourselves to be the best legislators we can be — and I take this responsibility very seriously. Attending the BILLD program will offer a unique perspective that I am excited to bring back to the Michigan Legislature and my community — particularly since so many of us are connected to and care about the Great Lakes.”

Each summer, 37 elected officials from eleven states and three Canadian provinces are selected by a Steering Committee of legislators from the Midwest region on a competitive basis. Those selected will attend the five-day, nonpartisan program, held at the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota and in cooperation with the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, the Council of State Governments and the Midwestern Legislative Conference.