Two legislators from Midwest joining MLC leadership team

The Council of State Governments’ Midwestern Legislative Conference has chosen a Government of Saskatchewan minister and a first-term Nebraska legislator as its two new committee officers. The selections process took place in July at the MLC Annual Meeting.

Saskatchewan Minister Lori Carr has been immediately seated as MLC first vice chair.

First elected to the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly in 2016, Carr currently serves as Saskatchewan’s Minister of Highways and Government House Leader. She has previously held several other ministry and leadership positions during her eight years in office.

Nebraska Sen. Brad von Gillern will become MLC second vice chair later this year. He was elected to the Unicameral Legislature in 2022 and quickly emerged as key state leader on economic and finance policy, serving as vice chair of the Revenue Committee. He is a 2023 graduate of the MLC’s Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development.

Ohio Sen. Bill Reineke is chair of the MLC. Carr will assume this leadership post in December 2024. The other MLC officers are Michigan Sen. Roger Victory, immediate past chair, and Minnesota Sen. Mary Kunesh, second vice chair. She becomes first vice chair later this year.

About the MLC

This four-officer team, along with an Executive Committee of legislators from all 11 Midwestern states and the province of Saskatchewan, guides the work of the MLC. All legislators from 11 Midwestern states and the province of Saskatchewan are members of the MLC. The provinces of Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario are affiliate members.

With staff support from CSG Midwest, the MLC fosters information sharing and collaboration, provides policy resources and assistance, and offers leadership and professional development opportunities for legislators.