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Election season is in full swing. Last week the League of Women Voters of the Copper Country held its candidate forum in Houghton County. The event invited both candidates from the 110th Michigan House District, Kim Corcoran and Greg Markkanen. The forum asked questions covering a variety of topics for each candidate.
Current representative Greg Markkanen relayed how he has worked for the communities in the western Upper Peninsula over his previous three terms. He also spoke to challenges he has heard from constituents. One topic both candidates agreed has challenged communities in the region and has focused on housing.
“It makes it very difficult to expand housing across 110th when there are so many regulations, I think that we have excellent construction contractors throughout the 110th district and we can meet the demand if it wasn’t so regulated.”
Election season is in full swing. Last week the League of Women Voters of the Copper Country held its candidate forum in Houghton County. The event invited both candidates from the 110th Michigan House District, Kim Corcoran and Greg Markkanen. The forum asked questions covering a variety of topics for each candidate.
Current representative Greg Markkanen relayed how he has worked for the communities in the western Upper Peninsula over his previous three terms. He also spoke to challenges he has heard from constituents.
It makes it very difficult to expand housing across 110th when there are so many regulations, I think that we have excellent construction contractors throughout the 110th district and we can meet the demand if it wasn’t so regulated. – Rep. Greg Markkanen, Hancock
One topic both candidates agreed has challenged communities in the region and has focused on housing. Corcoran said she wishes to see the state offer better incentives to fill housing needs.
We need to address housing as a matter of a way that we can attract new businesses, we can attract new citizens. So definitely up and down the district, what I’m hearing is that housing is one of the major factors that we need a little attention over here in 110. – Kim Corcoran, Ironwood
Over the summer challenges presented to prison workers, including mandatory overtime and high inmate-to-staff ratios, created picket lines across the state. While in Lansing Markkanen says he and other representatives have introduced legislation that would restore retirement and other benefits to correctional officers.
And they should know that after the end of 20, 25, or 30 years serving the state and protecting some prisoners across the U.P. and North Michigan they should have a benefit package waiting for them in retirement. So I think that’s what I’ve tried to do with my colleagues and my caucus. We have introduced several bills to that effect. – Rep. Greg Markkanen, Hancock
Corcoran offered her perspective as a former education principal in the prison system, where she helped inmate obtain their GED, and trades certifications. She agrees that restoring benefits will help the system retain officers. But she added that wages in Michigan prisons have been stagnant for several years.
But the job is very, very rewarding, but it is taxing and can be dangerous. So knowing that you have a pension, that you’re putting your time in and eventually you’ll have enough time to come and spend time with your family enjoy. But I’ve been in the Department of Corrections for 26 years, and I have seen the wear and tear in my fellow workers. So it’s now that we need to get to the folks who can make decisions to do something now. – Kim Corcoran, Ironwood
LWVCC Co-President Faith Morrison moderated the recent forum. After the 110th district candidates, the league brought forward candidates for consideration in Portage Township. Those interested in watching either League of Women Voters Copper Country candidate forums can find both below.
Portage Township Candidate Forum
110th Michigan House of Representative Candidate Forum
