The League of Minnesota Cities selected 32 state lawmakers, including Rep. Mary Murphy, as Legislators of Distinction for 2017. The honor recognizes legislators for specific actions that aided efforts of Minnesota cities during the past year's legislative session.
Legislators of Distinction are approved annually by the League's Board of Directors to recognize that in order to successfully serve shared communities, state and city officials must work together to meet the unique needs of rural, suburban and urban residents all across Minnesota.
To be eligible for the honor, legislators must achieve one or more of the following criteria: be generally and reasonably accessible to League representatives, seek input on issues of importance to cities, listen to League concerns and be receptive to League-provided information on issues, sponsor and/or support League initiatives, speak out on behalf of the interest of cities, and/or work to demonstrate the importance of partnership between the state and cities.
Rep. Murphy was chosen specifically for being the chief author on the bill that fixed the Local Government Aid formula error. She is also a member of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement, where she supported a package of changes for the Public Employees Retirement Association Police and Fire plan to address the plan's funding deficiency. Rep. Murphy regularly seeks advice on legislative issues from cities in her district as well as reaction from the League staff on pending legislation.
Recipients of the recognition received a letter of appreciation and a certificate. Additionally, a copy of the Legislator of Distinction acknowledgement letter was sent to the mayor of each city in the district of each award winner. A complete list of all Legislators of Distinction can be found at " target="_blank">www.lmc.org/lod.
