LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Lawmakers are finishing up their first full we back in the legislature. The agenda in the House for the first week in session is shorter as the Representatives settle back in. With the new dynamics of an equal chamber, the U.P. Representatives say a majority of the work to start the year will take place within committees, which Representative Dave Prestin from the 108th district said may be a good thing.
“We have divided government right now. For me, that’s a good thing.” Representative Prestin said. “Whenever a government moves slower, when people are forced into working bi-partisanly that’s good for Michigan. that’s good for policy.”
Representative Prestin said as committees get to work, he’s optimistic that progress will be made with his EMS bills that aim to relieve some of the shortages in the emergency medical workforce. Representative Prestin is also working with Representative Jenn Hill from the 109th district on legislation targeting the Logging industry in the Northern Great Lakes region.
“I’m working on the logging bill with Representative Prestin to make sure that loggers who are having to cross the Wisconsin border don’t have extra paperwork.” Representative Hill said. “We’re making sure that it’s making things a little easier for those hard-working folks.”
Representative Hill said she’s looking forward to continuing work on policies that protect reproductive healthcare and focus on getting money back to Michigan families and is prioritizing keeping a listening ear within her district.
Representative Greg Markkanen from the 110th district said constituent services remain a priority in his office as well, but hopes to work with state offices to address the wolf populations within the U.P..
“We’ve got an issue with the DNR, the wolf issue.” Representative Markkanen said. “We want a wolf management plan and to put it in place.”
As a member of the House Education Committee, Markkanen said addressing school funding, education, and teacher retention are also at the top of his list.
The U.P. representatives said they expect the agendas in the house to fill up quickly as more legislation makes its way out of committee, and are looking forward to a busy winter and spring.
