By Shannon K. Jones
Staff Reporter
In the ongoing partisanship battle, House Democrats have unleashed their latest weapon against House Republicans and their budget by unveiling the website www.upatrisk.com.
The site, paid for by the Michigan Quality of Life Fund, aims at gaining support against Republican proposals. According to Representative Gary McDowell (D-Rudyard) what the Republicans are working to achieve would have a devastating effect on the Upper Peninsula's economy.
In recent weeks Republicans have tailored their legislative efforts to directly affect the U.P. At the core of the controversy are the moves to change the formula for university funding and the closing of correctional facilities in Newberry and Manistique. House Democrats have criticized the plan, saying that these actions would have a broad impact across the U.P. Northern Michigan University would suffer the loss of a substantial amount of funding if the education formula is changed and as many as 350 locals would lose their jobs and sole source of support if the corrections facilities were to close. Other concerns include the issue of housing prisoners; local legislator Steve Adamini (D-Marquette) fears that criminals would be released early as space is not available to absorb the 1,300 inmates currently housed in Newberry and Manistique.
The website is being considered part of a public pressure campaign to protect the Upper Peninsula. In addition, a cable show is also in the works, which will present Representatives addressing the impact of Republican proposals on the area. A petition is available for signing on the website as well as a link to reach local representatives.
