Prusi, Lahti talk to KEDA

By GARRETT NEESE, DMG Writer
HOUGHTON — State Sen. Mike Prusi and State Rep. Mike Lahti held court again at the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance meeting Wednesday in a session Lahti said contained more good news than previously.

“This year is a much better year,” he said. “We have tough choices we made last year. We’re able to provide those basic government services we were in danger of losing.”

Lahti, D-Hancock, said they also talked about what the state can do for local businesses, citing the work of the Michigan Tech Enterprise Corp. SmartZone, KEDA and the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

MDC helped provide jobs at the Pine River Saw Mill in Amasa by aiding them with a fire suppression system, Lahti said.

“That was important to get a lot of good jobs in Amasa,” he said.

Other talk centered on the state’s university education funding. If the House’s bill stands, Michigan Technological University, as a research institution, will receive a funding increase of 4.4 percent.

“We don’t know how it’s going to end up ... but it’s a good sign,” Lahti said.

Also, Lahti said, the governor didn’t take any tuition grants away from Finlandia University.

“That’s a good sign for Finlandia, because it helps a lot of low-income kids get help,” he said. “A lot of low-income kids are taking that $2,200.”

Lahti said some of last year’s unexpected budget surplus had been used for a number of things, including a crime lab, $500,000 to the Department of Natural Resources for fire prevention, and funding conservation districts throughout the state.

“We were able to do those things, but still keep money without spending all the money,” he said.

Lahti said Joint Capital Outlay approval is also expected for a number of projects, including money for the Houghton County Memorial Airport and the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. Additional money for Michigan Technological University is also a possibility, he said.

“The Senate passed one that didn’t include the university, so we have to get together with them to get an agreement to get a joint bill out,” he said.

Lahti said questioners were mostly concerned with economic issues.

Osceola Township Supervisor Steven Karpiak expressed concern about a bill in the Senate Tax Committee that would not uncap real estate sales for three years, Lahti said.

Additionally, Lahti said, there’s another bill in the Senate that would allow two homestead exemptions.

Prusi, D-Ishpeming. had estimated the Senate’s discussion of the bill at 30 minutes, with no discussion in committee.

“He was a little disappointed on that, especially in this time of bipartisan support ... we try to do something to help the low real estate market, but we’ve got to see the ramifications to the townships and counties,” Lahti said.



Garrett Neese can be reached at gneese@mininggazette.com