Marquette, Mich. −
Today, 7/14/2023, two press conferences were held by Michigan House Representatives Jenn Hill (D – Marquette), Helena Scott (D – Detroit), and Speaker of the House Joe Tate (D – Detroit) in the NMU Northern Center. One as a community listening forum to strengthen MI energy infrastructure, and the other as an outline on state budget wins specifically for the U.P.
It was a busy day! During the community listening forum held by the entire House Energy, Communications, and Technology Committee, we heard from many U.P. community members. Affected Yoopers from Houghton to Marquette to Sault Ste. Marie were all in attendance. MANY had input to give. Enough to fill the 2 hour time allotment. Many of them outlined concerns about our power companies using utility payments directly from consumers for politics, unreliable power putting people’s entire livelihoods & well-beings at risk, as well as most, if not all, pushing for sustainable & community-based energy solutions.
The second press conference was all about investment in our home, The Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Rep. Jenn Hill led highlighting the wins for the U.P. in the new fiscal 2023-24 state budget. The fiscal 2023-24 budget is the first in 40 years to have been crafted while Democrats hold control of state government. She had representatives of cities in the Yoop from Baraga county, Grand Marais, Negaunee, and Republic who express how the state budget will impact improvements in many vital aspects of life. Aspects like public education, transportation, public safety, and community development. You can listen to the less than 20min conference in full by simply visiting the link: Reinvest In The U.P. Press Conference Audio
Otherwise, you can read the notable highlights below:
- $3 million to Baraga County for the construction of a new transportation maintenance facility and service center.
- $3 million for the restoration of the Vista Theatre in Negaunee.
- $1.8 million for the Republic Township dam and fish passage project.
- $300,000 to extend the Iron Ore Heritage Trail into Lakenenland.
- $150,000 to Chocolay Township for the purchase of firefighting equipment.
Other notable investments in the U.P. include:
- $7.3 million for the Helen Newberry Joy Hospital.
- $870,000 for Michigan Tech to maintain the nursing education for the former Finlandia University.
- $200 million debt payment in the higher education retirement system.
- $1.2 million for the Off-Road Vehicle Trail Improvement Fund to repair the flooded Lake Linden Trail in Houghton County.
- $2.7 million for the Snowmobile Trail Improvement Fund to repair the flooded Lake Linden Trail in Houghton County ($800,000), for local grants to purchase snow groomers ($1.5 million) and for snowmobile trail system maintenance ($400,000)
