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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula Posted Feb. 9, 2006   Text and photos © 2007 Mike Lahti press releases. Reprinted with permission.

Lahti stands with Granholm for stronger Michigan 

LANSING -- State Representative Mike Lahti (D-Hancock) responded recently to Governor Jennifer Granholm’s State of the State Address and praised the Governor for demonstrating solid leadership in rocky economic times. 

"Even though difficult decisions will have to be made with regard to this year’s budget shortfall and the 2007-2008 budget, we must be up to the challenge of fixing it and moving Michigan forward," said Lahti. "It is essential that we continue to fund the critical functions of state government in order to make Michigan a state where people want to live, work or run a business. Along with Governor Granholm and my colleagues in the legislature, I am ready to get to work as a member of the Appropriations Committee in sorting through the challenges lying ahead in the budget process."

State Representative Mike Lahti (D-Hancock) was designated by Speaker of the House Andy Dillon (D-Redford) as one of eight escorts (four Representatives and four Senators) who welcomed Gov. Jennifer Granholm into the House chamber prior to her fifth State of the State Address Tuesday night, Feb. 6, before a joint convention of the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate. (Photo © 2007 Mike Lahti. Reprinted with permission.)

Rep. Lahti applauded Governor Granholm’s plan to leave no worker behind by investing in our workforce to make Michigan a magnet for cutting-edge technologies and good-paying, family sustaining jobs while promoting and working with established businesses and resources in order to protect the jobs we already have. Lahti noted alternative energy as a field with great potential and room for growth.

"One area of development in which Michigan has the capacity to take the lead is in the area of alternative energy," said Lahti. "Our farmlands are ideal for producing the corn and soybeans needed to make renewable fuels such as ethanol and bio-diesel. Our U.P. forest land and forest products industry also provide the logging waste and wood by-products that can be used as an alternative fuel."

Lahti also said that education issues are key to turning Michigan’s economy around. 

"We must give our children the ability to realize their potential by improving early childhood development programs and providing the foundation and tools they need to be active learners from day one," commented Lahti. "Every student who attends class, graduates high school and wants to go to college or to a trade school should have that opportunity."

Gov. Jennifer Granholm delivered her fifth State of the State address Tuesday night, Feb. 6, to a joint convention of the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate.*

Lahti selected for Appropriations Committee, Chair of Natural Resources Subcommittee 

Selected by Speaker of the House Andy Dillon (D-Redford) to serve as a member of the Appropriations Committee, Lahti, along with second-term Rep. Gary McDowell (D-Rudyard), will carry the torch of a long running tradition of past Upper Peninsula legislators who have served on the House Appropriations Committee, including, among others, the late longtime Appropriations Chairman, Dominic Jacobetti (D-Negaunee), former Minority Vice-Chair, Rep. Rich Brown (D-Bessemer), former Rep. -- now State Senator -- Mike Prusi (D-Ishpeming) and former Rep. Paul Tesanovich (D-L’Anse).

Once assigned to the Appropriations Committee, members are chosen to serve on several subcommittees. Lahti is slated to serve as Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee and as a member of the Human Services Subcommittee.

Gary Randall, right, outgoing clerk of the Michigan House of Representatives, administers the oath of  office to 110th District Representative Mike Lahti (D-Hancock) as, from left, Lahti's son, John; daughter, Catherine MacPhearson; wife, Sharon; and granddaughter Isabel MacPhearson) look on. (Photo © 2007 Mike Lahti and courtesy Todd Gauthier, legislative aide. Reprinted with permission.)

"I am truly thankful for the opportunity to serve the 110th District and the Upper Peninsula in Lansing as a member of the House Appropriations Committee," Lahti said. "We face serious challenges in the upcoming fiscal year, but I am confident that together we can move Michigan forward by overcoming the roadblocks we face in resolving the 2008 fiscal year budget." 

It should also be noted that Rep. Lahti has been assigned to the prestigious Joint Capital Outlay Subcommittee, which is an Appropriations subcommittee consisting of several members of the House and Senate Appropriations committees. The Joint Capital Outlay Subcommittee serves as the building authority for the State of Michigan. The subcommittee appropriates several billion dollars annually via the authorization of building projects at publicly-owned facilities throughout the state.

"I am extremely pleased with my committee assignments and honored as a freshman legislator to be appointed to the Appropriations Committee," Lahti said. "All three subcommittee appointments fit the 110th District and the Upper Peninsula very well, especially with respect to my position as Chair of the Natural Resources Subcommittee, where I will oversee the DNR’s budget and the many natural resources issues that are so crucial to our region." 

The state’s annual budget process begins with Governor Granholm’s budget presentation to a joint House and Senate Appropriations Committee. The individual budget work takes place in each budget’s respective subcommittee, with the entire appropriations process coming to a close near the end of June.

Residents of the 110th District can contact Rep. Lahti's legislative office in Lansing through a toll-free number: (888) 663-4031. This is the same toll-free number that Lahti's predecessor, Rep. Rich Brown, used.

Rep. Lahti noted his office in Lansing would be open during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern time. His staff, Kim Whitely and Todd Gauthier, both aides to former State Representative Rich Brown, will be happy to assist constituents regarding their concerns.

Please contact Rep. Lahti’s office using the following information:
Representative Mike Lahti
P.O. Box 30014
1489 Anderson House Office Building
Lansing, MI 48909

Toll-free: (888) 663-4031
Fax: (517) 373-9303
E-mail: mikelahti@house.mi.gov.

Editor's note: * Governor Granholm's State of the State address, "Our Moment, Our Choice: Investing in Michigan's People," is available in pdf format (download Adobe Acrobat Reader if necessary) on the State of Michigan Web site. Click here for the entire speech.