The League of Southeastern Credit Unions and Affiliates (LSCU) announced Rep. Merika Coleman (D-Birmingham, AL) as its 2017 State Lawmaker of the Year. Coleman has been a has been a strong supporter of credit unions throughout her time in the Alabama house of representatives. Among the numerous committees she serves, she is an influential member of the house financial services committee.
At a ceremony, held during the annual Alabama Advocacy Conference in Montgomery, AL, Coleman expressed her appreciation for the honor, crediting Jason Cochran, senior director of governmental affairs for the LSCU, with having given her the tools to make change possible and encouraged the League to continue its efforts to help Alabama’s citizens.
“Most notably in 2017, Rep. Coleman sponsored HB 335, which gave credit unions the ability to offer Prize-linked Savings Programs,” said Patrick La Pine, president/CEO of the LSCU. “We currently have several credit unions rolling out these programs under the ‘Save-to-Win’ umbrella or as standalone credit union initiatives. These programs have been proven to make a difference in people’s lives as they build savings to create a more stable future, and Rep. Coleman is responsible for that change here in Alabama.”
Coleman also has supported numerous credit union related legislation such as the Credit Union Act updates and the 18-month exam cycle to extend the deadline for reports.
Coleman is currently an assistant professor of political science at Miles College and serves as a Board member of Greater Birmingham Ministries, WiLL, which is the Women Legislators' Lobby,an organization which equips legislators with information on the impact of federal policy and the federal budget on state programs.
Rep. Coleman with Jason Cochran of the LSCU