LANSING – State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) was sworn in Jan. 14 beginning his second term at the official opening of the 98th session of the Michigan House of Representatives at the state Capitol in Lansing. Dianda’s House District 110 covers the western Upper Peninsula counties of Keweenaw, Houghton, Ontonagon, Gogebic, Iron and Baraga as well as part of Marquette County.
"I'm an honored that the residents of House District 110 have sent me back to Lansing to continue working on the issues that are important to our U.P. communities," said Dianda.
In his first term, Dianda fought for proposals to improve U.P. communities including tax relief for middle-class families and helped convince Gov. Rick Snyder to declare a state of emergency after brutally cold temperatures caused frozen and burst water pipes in many U.P. communities. He also fought for fair distribution of Michigan Department of Transportation road funding.*
Dianda's Committee assignments
For the new legislative session, Dianda will be the Democratic minority vice chairman of the Regulatory Reform Committee and will serve as a member of the Energy and Transportation Committees.
"I am pleased to be the Democratic vice chairman of regulatory reform, and I look forward to working with my House colleagues on establishing sensible regulations that work for our communities. As a small businesses man myself, I will always be the private sector guy looking for ways to make Michigan a better place for small businesses," said Dianda. "I look forward to working on the energy committee to lower costs for the U.P. and generate power in the Upper Peninsula. As we saw last winter, and as we are seeing now over the issue of energy generating plants, U.P. residents have unique issues and needs. As a member of the transportation committee, I will be working with the Michigan Department of Transportation to reduce costs and find more cost savings before the May ballot vote on transportation funding. I am eager and ready to get to work."
The House Regulatory Reform Committee handles legislation covering many different areas including, to name just a few, licensing requirements for occupations, regulating athletic contests such as boxing and mixed martial arts, liquor license regulations and other liquor related issues and construction code regulations. The House Energy Committee considers legislation including utilities and current methods of energy generation as well as new ways of generating energy. The House Transportation Committee considers legislation that affects both state and locally maintained highways, roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure, as well as licensing and traffic control issues.
"I will continue to put U.P. residents and our unique needs first as we debate legislation at the state Capitol," Dianda added. "I encourage people to contact me with their thoughts and ideas through email, my website or by phone. My staff and I are always ready to hear new ideas and to offer our help to people trying to navigate their way through state government."
Dianda can be contacted toll-free by phone at (888) 663-4031, by email at ScottDianda@house.mi.gov and through his website at www.dianda.housedems.com.
* Editor's Note: See our Nov. 27, 2014, article, "State Rep. Scott Dianda notes concerns about clean energy, road improvement, public transit, more ..."
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