MARQUETTE, Mich., July 17, 2023 — House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) toured the Upper Peninsula over the weekend to meet with community leaders and hear from Yoopers directly about their needs and the challenges they face.
“It was an absolute pleasure to visit the Upper Peninsula,” Tate said. “From its stunning natural beauty to the warmth and hospitality of its people, the U.P. never fails to impress. I enjoyed meeting Yoopers and learning more about the challenges that they face. I look forward to taking these concerns back to Lansing to work on informed solutions that prioritize U.P. communities.”
Tate participated in a press conference to review the impact of the state budget on the U.P. with state Rep. Jenn Hill (D-Marquette). Tate and Hill, along with state Reps. Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck), John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming) and Helena Scott (D-Detroit), the chair of the House Energy, Communications, and Technology Committee, participated in a stop on Scott’s Energy Reliability, Resilience and Accountability Task Force Listening Tour.
“It’s important for the U.P. to have a seat at the table,” Hill said. “I’m grateful for Speaker Tate’s willingness to listen and the leadership he demonstrated in coming here to meet with community members personally. I look forward to continuing to work with him, my other colleagues in the Legislature and the governor’s office to make sure that we are passing policies that work for every community in our state.”
In addition to the press conference and ERRA Task Force Listening Tour stop, Tate met with Brock Tessman, president of Northern Michigan University; Bridgett LaPointe, CEO of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community; and a wide range of local business leaders.