Dianda discusses issues with residents

By IAN MINIELLY

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Ironwood - State Rep. Scott Dianda, D-Calumet, visited Contrast Coffee in downtown Ironwood Friday afternoon to give local residents a chance to share their thoughts and concerns and to hear his views on the direction of the state and District 110.

Dianda went around the room shaking hands and listening to constituents voice their opinions.

Traveling with Dianda was his Constituent Relations Director, Rawley Van Fossen, who trailed behind Dianda to take down the contact details and the issues that needed to be addressed after the conversations with Dianda.

Van Fossen spent the first half of the town hall filling up his giant notebook and exchanging information with those present, allowing Dianda to stay on the move and meet as many people as possible.

As the town hall shifted direction to become more of a one-way conversation, Dianda centered himself in the room and thanked the crowd. He informed the room he has been downstate in Lansing working on the $57.5 billion state budget, saying he has three areas he is focusing on with the budget.

First, Dianda is spending time in Lansing educating his counterparts to the educational needs of the Upper Peninsula. Nationally, Dianda stated, the country is $1,000 short per student per year in funding. However, in the U.P., the shortage becomes more critical because the schools have additional costs other districts do not carry.

One of the costs is the fact most schools spend six months heating their buildings with more expensive power than other states and districts, in addition to more expensive transportation costs, which run $1,000 per student per year in the U.P.

Dianda said, "U.P. schools cost more (to run) and we have many of the top schools in the state."

Second, Dianda said the district has lost $5.5 billion in revenue sharing since 1988, which is hurting the U.P. counties in his district. Dianda said multiple times he wanted to address the revenue shortage because it is impacting the counties in the U.P. disproportionately, compared to the rest of the state.

Third, Dianda is on the state's energy committee and according to Dianda, the state of Michigan's energy costs are prohibitive to the creation of new businesses or for industries to move here.

He would like to see those costs lowered while also implementing greater use of solar power.

Dianda said in his seven- county district, energy costs range from 7 to 26 cents per kilowatt. Two new gas-fired power plants are scheduled to come online soon and a new 22- inch natural gas pipe will bring more fuel to the area, beyond the current 17-inch capacity, which should help alleviate some of the higher costs.

When Dianda opened up the floor to the constituents, he heard some questions specific to this area. Dianda was questioned regarding HB 4001, which he voted to support, lowering the income tax rate in Michigan. Dianda revealed he voted for his district, not for the party, with the bill. The people in his seven counties often live on fixed incomes and the lowered income taxes help the people of his district.

Another person asked about no-fault car insurance and how car owners are being penalized and the bill of goods sold to the public about lower insurance premiums lasted six months, but now premiums keep climbing and climbing.

Dianda said when the state passed the legislation for the no-fault insurance, it did not include any legislative oversight of the money.

That statement was not welcomed by those in attendance.

Dianda explained the insurance companies control the money and the fund has grown to over $20 billion to cover automobile injuries and the state has no idea how much is even paid out yearly by the fund.

The state has no control over the costs of insurance, according to Dianda, so the insurance companies continue raising the costs and putting the money into a fund they control.

Apparently, if the state attempts to gain control over the insurance companies and the large fund, six insurance companies will split the $20 billion, and growing, that has been squirreled away to cover uninsured motorist injuries before any legislation gains control of the issue.

Dianda warned the crowd there is an effort afoot to raise the cost of insurance $160 per vehicle on top of the insurance people already carry and the figure will continue rising by $10 every year.

Dianda blamed Republicans for the fiasco of insurance, but it did not appear there is a solution in sight by either party.

A concerned citizen made a statement regarding the number of people moving to the area and immediately hopping on assistance.

The resident said Michigan needs to implement a six-month waiting period to receive benefits because too many people are moving here for welfare from all over the country, because it is so easy and quick to get on Michigan's welfare rolls.

Dianda said he did not want some family with children to go hungry waiting for six months to receive aid from the state.

"We have to fund education, to fight drug addiction because by the time a person is an adult, it is too late. We have to be good neighbors. We have to invite that troubled person next door to church on Sunday. We need to be better neighbors."

Dianda informed the crowd he is staying in touch with the state's representatives and senators who travel to Washington D.C., so they know the issues the U.P. faces and can better support all of Michigan in D.C. Dianda will return to Ironwood for another town hall next Tuesday at the Cold Iron Brewery at 6 p.m., when he will make an announcement about his future plans.

He encouraged people to come with questions.