Dianda Still Looking for Aid for U.P. Communities

State Representative Scott Dianda is again urging Republican leaders in Lansing to take up a house bill which he introduced in April to provide much-needed financial assistance to Upper Peninsula communities still struggling with the frozen water lines crisis. Due to the extreme cold weather this winter and into the spring, local municipalities have been forced to cover numerous unforeseen expenses stemming from the deep frost. Dianda’s bill would designate $10 million in grants to communities in counties that have issued local states of emergency, which would nearly cover the $10.1 million in estimated damages to the region’s infrastructure. Dianda says local municipalities have already incurred a lot of debt to get the damage in working order for residents.