State Rep. Scott Dianda to host Listening Town Hall, coffee hours in District 110

LANSING -- State Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) will hold a listening town hall and coffee hours in House District 110 to give residents a chance to ask questions and share their concerns with him.

"The good people of HD 110 hear me talking about what is going on in Lansing, and now I want to hear from them and listen to their questions and concerns and what are the most important issues affecting them and their families," Dianda said.

Dianda will hold a listening town hall from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. (EDT) on Sunday, April 2, at the Franklin Township Hall, 49850 U.S. Highway 41 in Hancock.

Dianda will also hold coffee hours at the following times and locations:

• Friday, March 31, from 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. (EDT) at the Ishpeming Town Hall, 1575 U.S. Highway 41 West in Ishpeming 
• Friday, March 31, from noon-1:30 p.m. (CDT) at Contrast Coffee, 108 E. Aurora St. in Ironwood
• Saturday, April 1, from 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. (EDT) at Syl’s Café, 713 River St. in Ontonagon
• Saturday, April 1, from noon-1:30 p.m. (CDT) at The Raven’s Nest, 213 Superior Ave. in Crystal Falls
• Monday, April 3, from 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. (EDT) at Slim’s Café, 8 Mohawk St. in Mohawk
• Monday, April 3, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (EDT) at Java By the Bay, 10 N. Main St. in L’Anse.

Michigan House expected to vote Aug. 27 on initiative to continue wolf hunt, undermine voters' November ballot proposals

Photo of wolf courtesy wolfwatcher.org. Reprinted with permission.

By Michele Bourdieu
With information from Keep Michigan Wolves Protected

[Editor's Note: This article has been slightly updated since the first posting earlier today.]

LANSING -- The Michigan Senate once again thumbed its nose at Michigan voters by approving the so-called Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, rather than allowing it to appear on the November statewide ballot. It’s the latest in a series of political shenanigans to undermine the right of Michigan citizens to vote on the issue of wolf hunting. The Michigan House of Representatives is expected to take up the issue this Wednesday, Aug. 27.

Keep Michigan Wolves Protected has invited citizens concerned about their right to vote on this issue to join a Rally at the Capitol at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 100 N. Capitol, Lansing.*

The purpose of the Rally is to urge the House of Representatives to end this abuse of power, stand up for citizens and vote NO on this initiative so Michigan voters can decide important wildlife issues on the November ballot.

In March 2013, Keep Michigan Wolves Protected submitted more than 255,000 signatures to overturn a wolf-hunting law (Public Act 520 of 2012) that was approved during the 2012 lame duck session and was based on fabricated stories about wolf incidents in the Upper Peninsula. Public Act 520 will be on the November 2014 ballot. The Legislature, ignoring the people, then passed a second law (Public Act 21 of 2013) to give the political appointees on the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) the power to designate game species, thus allowing the wolf hunt to continue. In March 2014, Keep Michigan Wolves Protected submitted more than 225,000 signatures to place Public Act 21 on the November 2014 ballot.**

According to 110th District Scott Dianda (D-Calumet), a group of wolf hunt supporters have planned a counter Rally for Aug. 27. This weekend Dianda told Keweenaw Now the vote in the House will probably occur at noon or 1 p.m. He also said he has received many calls from Upper Peninsula voters who support the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and who feel they would lose on the November ballot initiatives since the majority of people opposed to a wolf hunt are from Michigan's lower peninsula and outnumber them in population.

The Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act gives the unelected, politically appointed Natural Resources Commission the power to designate game species and includes two separate issues -- an appropriation of $1 million establishing an emergency fund to fight Asian carp, which is designed to make the measure referendum-proof (since laws with appropriations are not subject to referendum), and a provision for free hunting and fishing licenses for active military members. Those licenses for members of our armed forces are currently $1.

Dianda, who voted for the present law allowing a wolf hunt, appears to favor any funding that would protect Lake Superior from invasive Asian carp. The protection is needed now, he said, since the efforts planned for stopping them in Chicago would take several years and could be too late for Lake Superior.

"Right now we could protect Lake Superior by putting electric grids in the Soo Locks," he said.

Dianda also said he spoke with Gogebic County Sheriff Pete Matonich recently about wolf sightings in his county.

Matonich replied to an email from Keweenaw Now today, saying he spoke with Dianda at a civic function in Ironwood Township.

"I advised him that a few folks have commented to me that they have been seeing wolves in Erwin Township, just south of the City of Ironwood. In response to your specific questions…….a single incident?  Just comments I have heard…….Was anyone harmed?  No………Did I have to kill any wolves? No." (Ellipses are the Sheriff's.)

Matonich added the area where people reported these sightings is "rural residential," an area where "there are homes, but spaced out with some small acreage."

Jill Fritz, Keep Michigan Wolves Protected director, is quoted in their Aug. 13, 2014,  press release with comments on reported wolf sightings in the past.

"Politicians relied on exaggerated and even fabricated stories about wolf incidents, and nearly two-thirds of all wolf incidents in the U.P. occurred on a single farm, where the farmer baited wolves with cattle and deer carcasses," Fritz said. "They can’t be trusted on this issue, but the voters can be trusted and should be allowed to hear the arguments from both sides and make an informed judgment this November. We call on House members to end this abuse of power, and restore respect for the democratic process by letting the people vote."

Earlier this year, Michigan Senator Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba), the leading champion of the wolf hunt, made false claims about incidents involving wolves, and was later forced to apologize for those false statements and misrepresentations.

On their 2013-14 Environmental Scorecard, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters (Michigan LCV) gave Casperson a score of 0 percent, noting his opposition to biodiversity in his proposed SB 78.*** Michigan LCV gave Dianda a score of 64 percent for 2013-14.

The MLive Media Group, the Battle Creek Enquirer and the Lansing State Journal have urged lawmakers to reject the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and allow voters to settle the debate on wolf hunting.**** According to Keep Michigan Wolves Protected, there has been no editorial support for this latest initiative, which seeks to shut the people out of the process.
 
Nancy Warren, National Wolfwatcher Coalition Great Lakes Regional director, says the people should be allowed to decide on the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act as well as the other two ballot proposals. This third initiative could be added to the ballot if the House does not pass it. If it is passed, she adds, it is still critical that voters vote on the two ballot proposals.

"The wolf management plan says a recreational wolf hunt could be considered 'if biologically defensible, legally feasible, and supported by the public.' What better way to assess support by the public than with a vote by the people?" Warren notes.*****

Keep Michigan Wolves Protected is supported by humane organizations, more than 100 Michigan veterinarians and veterinary hospitals, Native American tribes, conservation groups, faith-based organizations, the Detroit Zoological Society, leading wolf biologists including Michigan Tech professors Rolf Peterson and John Vucetich, rank-and-file hunters and many other concerned Michiganders.******

To contact Rep. Scott Dianda with your views, call him Toll-Free at (888) 663-4031 or call (517) 373-0850 or email him at scottdianda@house.mi.gov.

Notes:
* Click here for directions to the Rally.

** Last year, the NRC ignored testimony from wildlife experts and deleted thousands of emails from the public before designating the wolf as a game species and establishing Michigan’s first wolf hunt in more than four decades. In their rationale for the wolf hunt, NRC members used wolf-cattle depredation figures to justify their decision -- even though two-thirds of the incidents occurred on one poorly managed Upper Peninsula farm. The farm owner pocketed more than $33,000 in reimbursements for livestock losses, failed to use fencing provided by the state to protect his animals, and recently pleaded no contest to animal cruelty charges for the death of two guard donkeys provided to him at taxpayers’ expense to prevent wolf predation.

*** Casperson's SB 78 would remove biological diversity from the list of state forest management goals. Click here to learn about this bill.

**** See our Aug. 12, 2014, article, "Michigan newspapers urge lawmakers to allow voters to settle debate on wolf hunt."

***** See Nancy Warren's Aug. 14, 2013, guest article, "Will voters be allowed to decide the fate of Michigan wolves?"

****** See the April 16, 2013, article, "Letter from John Vucetich, wildlife ecologist: Reasons to oppose SB288." John Vucetich is Michigan Tech associate professor of wildlife ecology and co-director of the Isle Royale Wolf-Moose Study.

An Open Letter to Michigan’s Representative Scott Dianda

Dear Representative Dianda,

Seven months ago, at our community’s Heikinpäivä Festival, I was one of many constituents in the crowd who had the chance to converse with you. I’m also one of the many Michigan voters who worked on two successful efforts to place referenda on Michigan’s Fall 2014 ballot. That is, I participated in the democratic process that gathered 230,000 signatures in support of allowing voters to decide, first, whether we should hunt wolves in Michigan, and second, who should make decisions about game species. You and I talked about this, and I am grateful.

During the 2013 Parade of Nations, Diane Miller, center, author of this letter, is pictured at the Keep Michigan Wolves Protected booth along with two other petition gatherers -- Jackie Winkowski, left, Wolfwatcher Great Lakes Representative, and Leah Vucetich of Hancock. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

You listened to me as I expressed disappointment over your yea vote on SB288, a bill that allowed a group of non-wildlife experts to determine game species in Michigan -- a bill obviously designed to circumvent the referendum process. This bill passed and became PA 21.

I listened to you when you explained your reasons for the vote. You cited a situation in which a pet dog had been killed by wolves, here in Houghton County.

And you listened to me when I said that I knew that dog; it lived across the road from me, and I reminded you that legislation has existed since 2009 that allowed my neighbor to shoot the offending wolf, which he did: No hunting season was needed to protect his remaining dogs.

I listened to you as you expressed your concern about the children in the Ironwood day care center where wolves were reported to have been lurking. I could tell that you truly cared, and I was impressed by that.

You listened to me as I reminded you that not only has no human ever been attacked by a healthy wolf in Michigan, but the Ironwood stories -- including the one about the day care -- have since been publicly exposed and verified as lies. I asked you: "If you had known that the stories were false, would you have voted differently?"

"Yes, I probably would," I heard you say.

We don’t usually get second chances. But here we go again. As you know, the House convenes on August 27 and you will be asked to vote yea or nay on the "Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act" -- a law that neither embodies sound science nor seems conservation-minded. In fact, it repeats the earlier bill and adds an insignificant appropriation for Asian Carp control (a trick -- laws that include appropriations can’t be challenged by voters). Clearly, this is another effort to circumvent the democratic process.

Representative Dianda, you listened to me, and I listened to you. Now I am counting on you to do the right thing: Please vote nay.

Sincerely,

Diane Miller
Houghton County resident

Editor's Note:  See also Katie Alvord's Feb. 26, 2014, article, "Interview: Diane Miller of Houghton County explains why she has collected signatures for two anti-wolf-hunt petition drives."

Rep. Scott Dianda seeks to protect landline telephone service, urges health care cost transparency

LANSING -- State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) recently expressed his concern on two issues affecting Upper Peninsula residents, especially senior citizens. One is his opposition to the passage of Senate Bill 636, which could jeopardize landline telephone service; the other is his House Resolution 314 on health care cost transparency.

Dianda opposes Senate Bill that could jeopardize landline telephone service

State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) was disappointed by the passage of Senate Bill 636, which could put landline telephone service in jeopardy across Michigan. Seniors who use medical alert devices -- most of which currently work only through landline services -- are in danger of losing this life-saving tool.

"This bill could be devastating to the countless U.P. residents who rely on landlines to communicate," Dianda said. "I guess Republicans who voted for this bill have never tried to make a cell phone call in the U.P."

House Democrats say this does not take into account emergency situations such as a power outage, when cell phones cannot be charged and VoIP devices cannot be powered. Furthermore, reliable wireless and broadband options are not available in every part of Michigan, which would make the use of landline telephone communication a necessity -- especially in the case of an emergency.

Either way, studies have shown that landline services are much more reliable regarding 9-1-1 and emergency calls.

"This bill does not take into account the safety of rural residents who cannot rely on cell phone reception," Dianda said. "It does not make sense to replace a system that is tried, tested and successful with one that could leave people without access to communication."

It is more expensive for service providers to install, replace and maintain copper wiring for landline services than it is to move to a newer technology such as wireless or VoIP. If passed, this bill would allow companies to remove already established copper wiring connection if they petition the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) successfully, leaving many in both rural and urban areas with no possibility of traditional landline services. Residents could appeal this, but at the expense of a mountain of paperwork.

"With the passage of this bill, Republicans are going to force people to go up against the decisions of the federal government and the FCC," Dianda said. "This bill allows phone companies to profit at the expense of Michigan citizens."*

Dianda resolution aims for healthcare cost transparency

State Representative Dianda recently introduced House Resolution 314 (HR 314) encouraging the United States Congress to pass a law that would expand Medicare claims data availability and improve medical care.

"Most of us don’t actually know how much our health care costs because not all insurance companies send us a copy of the bill listing the charges," said Dianda. "Since we can’t compare costs we don’t know if we’re getting the best price or even the best care. Medicare is one of the biggest payers of health care costs, so if claims data are available, we would have a better view of the health care marketplace and could make educated decisions on costs and quality."

At present, this Medicare claims information is inaccessible. Federal law allows certain health care reporting entities, known as "Qualified Entities" (QEs), to prepare reports on health care performance measures using Medicare claims data. These QEs can freely disseminate their reports, but they are restricted from selling or otherwise providing the claims data to others. Legislation in Congress -- the SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014 -- would remove this restriction and allow QEs to provide or sell Medicare claims data to health care providers, health insurance companies and others to assist them in quality improvement activities.

"Having this claims data is an important first step toward increasing health care price transparency, improving quality and lowering costs," said Dianda. "My resolution encourages Congress to pass this legislation immediately."

HR 314 was referred to the House Committee on Health Policy.**

* (Updated) Click here for information on SB 0636.
** Click here to read about HR 314.

Rep. Dianda calls on Governor to act on propane crisis

LANSING -- State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) called on Gov. Rick Snyder today to act quickly in aiding U.P. residents struggling to stay warm during the propane shortage. According to the Michigan Public Service Commission, propane inventories in the U.P. are 46 percent below last year’s level, and the shortage is causing increased propane costs.

"I am deeply concerned for the many Michigan families struggling to pay their propane bills and stay warm this winter," Dianda said. "It saddens me that the governor has not yet taken sufficient action to help U.P. families, and I am asking that he take the appropriate steps to ensure all Michiganders are kept safe during this record-setting cold winter."

Among his recommendations for the governor is a suggestion to call on the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) to increase the availability of low-interest loans to propane suppliers. The governor has yet to do this. Dianda would also alter Michigan’s Winter Protection Plan criteria to allow more families who rely on propane to qualify for assistance.

"We are being called upon to take decisive action during this propane crisis," said Dianda. "I do not think the governor understands the urgency of the situation or the hardship that price spikes and rationing have caused in the U.P. Today I say to Gov. Snyder, 'We share the responsibility of protecting our constituents. It is our job as officials elected by the people to keep Michigan families safe and warm during this harsh winter.'"

Currently, there is some state assistance available for families and individuals who are in danger of losing their heat and can demonstrate need. Those in need of help are encouraged to dial 2-1-1 to connect with local aid agencies or contact their local Department of Human Services office. Those with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact Dianda’s office toll-free at (888) 663-4031.

Rep. Dianda introduces bill to repeal state pension tax

LANSING –- On Jan. 13 State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) introduced House Bill 5219 calling for the repeal of the state's new pension tax. The pension tax was voted into law by the Republican-led Legislature in 2011 and was first felt by seniors filing their Michigan tax returns last year.

"Punishing seniors who are already struggling to make ends meet is wrong," Dianda said. "The pension tax has made life difficult for a lot of seniors in the U.P. who have worked hard their whole lives and are now surviving off a fixed income. I will do everything in my power to see that it’s repealed."

Under the current Republican-backed law, the tax treatment of retirement income is largely based on the age of the taxpayer and affects anyone who was born in or after 1946. For married taxpayers, retirement/pension deductions are based on the oldest spouse. This new tax is being deducted from pension and retirement benefit distributions, including distributions from pensions, IRAs, annuities, profit-sharing, stock bonuses and any other deferred compensation plan or certain life insurance contracts issued by life insurance companies.

"I take my job seriously, and when a concern is brought to my attention I make sure something is done about it," said Dianda. "I will not give up urging my colleagues to pass this bill, which would restore tax fairness to Michigan’s seniors."

Rep. Dianda to host series of town hall events on veterans' issues Oct. 4, 5,6

LANSING – State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) will be hosting a series of town hall events Friday, Oct. 4, through Sunday, Oct. 6, focusing on veterans' issues and ways of improving the lives of those who have served us. Dianda will be joined in conversation by special guests Reps. David Kenezek (D-Dearborn Heights) and Harvey Santana (D-Detroit).

Here is the schedule:

Friday, Oct. 4: 4 p.m. CDT at Wakefield American Legion Post 11, 605 River St. in Wakefield; 7 p.m. EDT at White Pine American Legion Post 462, 62 Hemlock St. in White Pine.

Saturday, Oct. 5: Noon EDT at Lake Linden American Legion post 90, 454 Front St. in Lake Linden; 4 p.m. EDT at Mohawk American Legion Post 230, 122 Stanton Ave. in Mohawk.

Sunday, Oct. 6: Noon EDT at L'Anse American Legion Post 144, 115 N. Front St. in L'Anse; 2 p.m. CDT at Stambaugh American Legion Post 21, 212 Washington Ave. in Iron River.

Dianda to host town halls on HB 4612 -- no-fault auto insurance changes

 CALUMET -- State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) will be hosting a series of town halls to discuss House Bill 4612, a Republican-backed bill that would make significant changes to Michigan's current auto no-fault laws.*

Rep. Dianda will be joined by representatives from the Coalition Protecting Auto No-Fault (CPAN). The town halls will feature remarks by Dianda, a presentation from CPAN and a question-and-answer segment. These events are free and open to the public.

Here is the schedule of the town halls:

Monday, Aug. 19, at 6:30 p.m., at the Gogebic Community College Lindquist Center Courtside Room, E4946 Jackson Road in Ironwood
Tuesday, Aug. 20, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Ontonagon Village Office, Village of Ontonagon Council Chambers, 105 Michigan Ave. in Ontonagon
Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the City of Houghton Council Chambers, 616 Shelden Ave. in Houghton
Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 1 p.m. at the Village of L'Anse Chamber Room, 101 N. Main St. in Baraga
Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Iron County Courthouse Chamber Room 2, S. Sixth St. in Crystal Falls.

*Click here to read CPAN's Summary Analysis of HB 4612.

Dianda introduces bill to benefit severely disabled veterans

LANSING -- State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) recently introduced House Bill 4698 that will make it easier for severely disabled veterans to claim a property tax exemption for a veteran's homestead that they should be entitled to under Michigan law. The bill was referred to the House Tax Policy Committee on May 7, 2013.*

"This bill is in direct response to conversations I have had with veteran's services officers from my district, namely Joy DeNicola from Iron County and John Frello from Gogebic, who explained how the current system wasn't working optimally for getting our veterans the services and exemptions they deserve," said Dianda. "That's the best way to make legislation -- by responding to a direct need from the people of my district that will help veterans all across the state."

Currently, only veterans who have participated in the Veteran Administration’s adapted housing program are eligible to receive the exemption. HB 4698 would broaden the ways that veterans who are 100 percent service connected (injured during their service), as well as those who have received a determination of individual unemployability from the VA, could claim a tax exemption on their homestead. It is much easier for veterans to get documentation of their service connection or unemployability status from the VA or from their Veteran’s Service Officer than it is to participate in the adapted housing program.

"Eliminating some of the red tape that our injured servicemen and women have to maneuver in order to get a tax exemption to, for example, make improvements to their home to make it more accessible for them, is just good policy," continued Dianda. "This bill would be just a small step in improving how we thank our veterans when they return home."

* Click here to read HB 4698 as proposed.

Dianda introduces resolution aimed at reducing emissions from correctional facilities

LANSING -- State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) introduced House Resolution 136 today that will urge the governor and Department of Corrections to convert heating plants at the state's correctional facilities to combined heat and power plants.

"Correctional facilities are some of the biggest consumers of energy in our state. Combining heat and power plants at our prisons will save millions and millions of taxpayer dollars. That's the smart way to save money -- unlike the governor's idea of privatizing prison food service," said Dianda, referring to Michigan Department of Corrections Officials' recent decision to contract prison food services to a private corporation.

In 2012, corrections facilities consumed nearly 172 million kilowatt-hours of electricity at a cost of almost $15 million. Nine of the facilities in the corrections system operate heating plants on-site to meet the heating and cooling needs of multiple buildings. The nine facilities with on-site heating plants collectively account for nearly 50 percent of the department's annual electricity use, which presents an opportunity for substantial savings from more efficient delivery of utilities. The combination of existing heating capacity and electricity demand make these facilities ideal candidates for new cogeneration projects.

"This is a win-win situation. We are able to demonstrate leadership and a sense of urgency in managing taxpayer investments in our state, and we are meeting the demand for implementing energy saving initiatives," continued Dianda.

The resolution gives an example of a facility that provides electricity, heat and air conditioning "through a cogeneration system fired by natural gas, a cleaner burning fuel."

Click here to read the resolution as presented.

Rep. Dianda introduces plan for middle-class tax relief

CALUMET -- State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) today announced the House Democrats' plan for middle-class tax relief. The bills are focused on restoring tax credits and deductions to middle-class families and repealing taxes on retirees. Legislation included in the plan will relieve the tax burden on Michigan families when next year's tax season rolls around.

"Many of these tax changes that people are seeing for the first time are hurting our senior citizens," said Dianda. "Here in the U.P. that is devastating. We have a lot of elderly folks in our district -- more than anywhere else in the state -- and they can't just go out and find another job to keep the heat on because Gov. Snyder changed the rules after they retired."

Last session, the Republican-led Legislature made severe changes to the Michigan tax code that punished middle-class families and seniors. Changes included imposing a tax on retirement income, eliminating the Homestead Property Tax Credit for many families, making a drastic cut to the Earned Income Tax Credit and eliminating the $600 per-child tax deduction and tax credits for charitable donations. These changes were made to fund nearly $2 billion in tax breaks for big corporations, effectively making Michigan's low-income and middle-class families pay for a handout to big corporations.

The new taxes took effect in 2012, and many taxpayers became aware of them for the first time as they filed their state income taxes this year.

"Some families are getting a much smaller refund, some aren't getting one at all and some taxpayers have to write a check to the state for the first time. That's a new appliance or a new car for some folks. Families wait on that money all year to make ends meet," continued Dianda.

Since he took office in January, Rep. Dianda has been listening to the concerns of constituents who are struggling under the new tax rules. In response, Dianda is advocating a comprehensive middle class tax relief plan that includes the following:

• Repeal the new tax on senior retirement income
• Require employers to inform employees about the Earned Income Tax Credit
• Restore the Earned Income Tax Credit to 11 percent in the first year
• Restore the Homestead Property Tax Credit
• Restore the child deduction

In addition to these initiatives, Dianda and the House Democrats will continue to fight against tax increases on the middle class and seniors every time a new, harmful tax is introduced to the Legislature. Dianda plans to keep Michigan taxpayers aware of the changes through a series of coffee hours and town halls in his district.

"Tax changes that help the middle class and working people would be  beneficial to my neighbors up here. If the economy is going to recover in the Upper Peninsula, people need to have money in their pockets to spend at local businesses -- not be giving it all to the state," said Dianda.

Editor's Note: See also U.S. Sen. Carl Levin's comments posted today in USA Today, "Levin: Corporations should pay fair share."

State House Democrats announce Michigan's Middle-Class Plan; House Democratic Leader visits UP

By Michele Bourdieu

State Representatives Scott Dianda (D-Calumet), left, and John Kivela (D-Marquette) held a press conference Apr. 2, 2013, in the Peter White Library, Marquette, to announce Michigan’s Middle-Class Plan, the House Democrats’ plan for helping families, seniors and kids. (Photo by Michigan House Democratic Staff. Reprinted with permission.)

MARQUETTE — State Representatives John Kivela (D-Marquette) and Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) held a press conference on Tuesday, Apr. 2, at the Peter White Library in Marquette to announce Michigan's Middle-Class Plan, the House Democrats' plan for helping families, seniors and kids.

The plan is based on the response Democrats received during their recent statewide, Real State of Our State Listening Tour. Dianda held a Listening Tour session at the Jutila Center in Hancock on March 4 with Kivela and House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills).*

State Rep. John Kivela (D-Marquette), left, answers a question at the Hancock stop on the House Democrats’ Real State of Our State Listening Tour on Monday, March 4, while State Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet), center, and House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) look on. (Photo courtesy Karen Johnson, Finlandia University. Reprinted with permission.)

"Our Listening Tour stop in Hancock, to some, is worlds away from the Capitol in Lansing," said Kivela. "But the families and seniors up here in the U.P. reflected the same concerns and struggles as the ones down in Sterling Heights. The overarching theme is that what the majority is doing in Lansing is not working for them."

U.P. citizens gathered at Finlandia University’s Jutila Center for the Hancock stop on the House Democrats’ Real State of Our State Listening Tour on Monday, March 4. The event was hosted by State Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) with special guests, House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) and State Rep. John Kivela (D-Marquette). (Photo courtesy Karen Johnson, Finlandia University. Reprinted with permission.)

Dianda added he learned middle class working families and seniors have been experiencing a lot of difficulty because of the elimination of tax credits for children, taxes imposed on seniors' pensions and home heating credits for seniors. In addition, this year's property taxes will be higher with the elimination of the homestead exemption.

"People are really starting to see how this is affecting their income in the state of Michigan," Dianda said.

The House Democrats' Middle-Class Plan includes real solutions to problems facing Michigan's families, seniors, kids and women. The plan calls for middle-class tax relief, restoring and protecting funds to public education, eliminating barriers to health care for women, and providing solutions for fixing our roads and bridges. Through their Michigan Middle-Class Plan Democrats hope to do the following:

• Repeal the tax on seniors' retirement income, restore the per-child tax deduction, restore the Earned Income Tax Credit to 11 percent and restore the Homestead Property Tax Credit.

• Implement a fine for habitually overweight trucks, ensure existing transportation funds are used for road construction and refinance existing infrastructure bonds.

• Make the School Aid Fund only available for use in funding K-12 education and increase per-pupil funding by $320.

• Improve access to health care for women by removing barriers to health care centers and increasing access to family planning services.

Kivela said, "We also firmly believe that women having access to health care centers is a right and not a privilege."

He noted House Democrats are working on a budget that will pay for all of these changes without raising taxes on the middle class.

"It's the backs of the middle class that have funded the big tax incentives to the businesses," Kivela said. "We know we need to have a business climate that companies can succeed in, but we can't balance that on the backs of the working population of this state."

Hancock City Councilor John Slivon attended the March 4 Listening Tour session at the Jutila Center in Hancock, where three Michigan Representatives were present to answer questions -- Dianda, Kivela and House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills).

Slivon asked a question about the possible effects of the proposed Upper Peninsula mining projects on growing food.* (See link to Democrats' video clip below)

State Rep. Scott Dianda, second from left, and House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel, left, visited mine drillers near Gratiot Lake in Keweenaw County on Sunday, March 3, 2013. Russ Grunwald, third from left, is exploration vice-president for Highland Resources, a Canadian company doing exploration drilling for copper in the area.** The visit was part of a Keweenaw tour Dianda arranged for Greimel preceding the March 4 Real State of Our State Listening stop in Hancock. (Photo by Michigan House Democratic Staff. Reprinted with permission.)

"While Rep. Dianda replied with some concerns on food growing, he never addressed the second part of my question -- whether he has concerns about the effects of mining on food production," Slivon told Keweenaw Now.

The video clip of the Hancock Listening Tour session that appears on the Web site for the House Democrats' Middle-Class Plan includes Slivon's question, some comments by Hancock City Manager Glenn Anderson on the high cost of snow removal, and a question on student debt and right-to-work legislation by college student Rawley V.*

"Rep. Kivela and I are new to Lansing, but that provides us with the greatest opportunity to make the biggest difference in how the people of the Upper Peninsula are being represented. We will make them a priority again," said Dianda. "Change needs to start now, and not after two more years of harmful Republican policies."

* Click here to view on YouTube the short video clip with questions and comments from the Hancock session.

** See our March 26, 2012, article, "Canadian company plans exploration project for Keweenaw copper."

Editor's Note: Unfortunately Keweenaw Now was unable to attend the March 4 Listening Tour event in Hancock.

Photos, videos: Rep. Dianda, House Democratic Leader Greimel tour Keweenaw, meet with Houghton County Dems

HANCOCK -- On March 2, 2013, preceding their Listening Tour session, Michigan 110th District Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) and Michigan House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) met with Houghton County Democrats at the Orpheum Theater in Hancock.

The meeting was part of a visit to the area for Greimel, hosted by Dianda, which also included the Copper Dog 150 race, a tour of the Smart Zone in Houghton, a visit to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community in Baraga and various local Keweenaw sites and events.

House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) and state Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) both volunteered as dog handlers at the start of the Copper Dog 150 in Calumet on Friday, March 1. (Photo by Michigan House Democratic Staff. Reprinted with permission.)

Brian Hoduski, Houghton County Democratic Party co-chair, was pleased with Greimel's visit.

"Being 500 miles from Lansing, it says something about the esteem Rep. Dianda is already held in by Democratic Leader Greimel, that he (Greimel) would travel to the UP and spend a full three days in the 110th," Hoduski said.

Pictured here with State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet), left, and House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills), third from left, at the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) Tribal Center on Monday, March 4, are Susan LaFernier, KBIC secretary, and Warren C. Swartz, Jr., KBIC president. (Photo by Michigan House Democratic Staff. Reprinted with permission.)

Keweenaw Now's video reporter Allan Baker recorded the March 2 discussion with the Houghton County Democrats.

In this video clip, Dianda introduces Rep. Greimel, who gives a summary of recent  Republican legislation that has placed heavy burdens on Michigan middle-class working families, teachers and schools, and senior citizens:

Michigan 110th District Rep. Scott Dianda introduces State Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) to Houghton County Democrats at a March 2, 2013, meeting in Hancock. (Videos by Allan Baker for Keweenaw Now)

Here Greimel answers a question on the Kalamazoo oil spill:***

A Michigan Tech student asks about obstacles to student voting:

In the following video clip, Greimel answers a question on the emergency manager legislation, noting examples of emergency managers downstate who have been unsuccessful:

After the meeting with Houghton County Dems, Keweenaw Now's Allan Baker interviews Greimel with some environmental questions. Here Greimel talks about the importance of protecting Michigan's water resources:

**** Update: Click here to see an Apr. 3, 2013, report from Rachel Maddow on the Kalamazoo oil spill.

Click here to learn more about the Michigan House Democrats' Middle-Class Plan.

Click here to visit Rep. Scott Dianda's Web site and see more photos of House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel's visit to the U.P.