State Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock, and State Rep. Brenda Carter, D-Pontiac, attend a pancake breakfast at the Iron River Senior Center as part of the Michigan Legislative Exchange on Saturday. (Journal photo by Abby LaForest)

IRON RIVER — Michigan House of Representatives members Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock and Brenda Carter, D-Pontiac, visited the 110th District this past weekend, as part of the Michigan Legislative Exchange program run by Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research.

The program is modeled after the American Congressional Exchange, which was launched in 2018. Jonathan Perman, founder of the Michigan Legislative Exchange and the American Congressional Exchange, explained how he founded the ACE around eight years ago with members of Congress in Washington D.C. Perman modeled the MILE after that program and mentioned there is currently a similar one running in Minnesota. One of the first participants in the ACE was U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, who did the exchange with former U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Orlando, by visiting Florida back in 2018.

MILE’s goal is to increase bipartisan trust, district-to-district relationships, and mutual understanding between Michigan state lawmakers. The program pairs two legislators from opposing political parties to visit each other’s districts, emphasizing bringing together districts that differ in areas such as geography, culture, politics, or community demographics. It allows for legislators to dignify the differences in these districts, identify common problems across communities, and identify shared interests and goals. Itineraries are designed by IPPSR in collaboration with the host legislator so unique experiences, industries, businesses, and community leadership can be highlighted in the host’s district.

“It defies the conventional wisdom which is, unfortunately, (opposition,) right? Now, you have two people that are actually getting along, that are learning from each other,” said Perman. “They’re experiencing and they’re seeing those districts through one another’s eyes.”

Reps. Markkanen and Carter are the first pair who volunteered to participate in this new initiative. Prior to their journey to the U.P., Rep. Markkanen had the opportunity to visit Rep. Carter’s district, the 53rd District, to learn about the area’s differences compared to the 110th and which situations the districts have in common.

“We had a day and a half up here (in the 110th), but it was a pretty intense day (in the 53rd.) I got down there about 8 o’clock, 8:30 in the morning, and spent the whole (day,) almost 14 hours meeting with the community leaders, talking about the issues that really concern their district and Rep. Carter’s up here now,” said Markkanen. “We’re really meshing the issues together like healthcare, mental health issues, education, economic development for the western U.P. Those issues are all really important, not only for the U.P., but for Rep. Carter’s district as well. It’s been a really good experience and we’re kind of breaking the ice, so to speak, because we’re the first two representatives in Michigan to do this.”

Rep. Carter had not visited the Keweenaw Peninsula prior to the legislative exchange, and she pointed out some similar community issues that not only exist in her district, but here in the U.P. as well.

“We have similar situations. I visited a (federally qualified health center) in his district, he visited one in mine, and we found out we are dealing with the same thing, like 340B (drug pricing program) or the cost of prescription drugs or housing, which is big in my area. Housing is big in his area,” explained Carter. “It (doesn’t) matter what package we come in, we’re dealing with the same issues, and this is (an) opportunity for us to work together to solve problems that will help both of our districts.”

“We traveled all the way up to Copper Harbor, met with the National Park Service in Calumet, and community leaders at Michigan Tech because they’re on economic development throughout the Western U.P.,” said Markkanen.

Both representatives recalled a scenario they experienced together at Bond Falls in Ontonagon County this past Friday, which prompted the representatives to connect their experience to issues that have been discussed in their chamber of the state house.

“One of the issues that come across our chamber in the House of Representative is broadband support for the Upper Peninsula. I take it for granted because I live in Pontiac, and if something happens in Pontiac, someone gets sick, the ambulance is right there. My internet is working real quick. I can get the help I need immediately,” said Carter. While the Reps. were visiting Bond Falls as part of their trip, they experienced a woman slip on the rocks and hurt her head while visiting with friends. Rep. Markkanen explained how they were fortunate to have some Department of Natural Resources personnel there with two-way radios so they could call for help, because there was no cell phone service in that area.

During our interview, there was an update that the woman who hurt her head had received medical treatment and would be okay.

“It really brought home the fact that we need more broadband coverage throughout the U.P.,” stated Markkanen. “There’s huge voids in areas like Bond Falls, like that, (where) if you had a serious emergency and we weren’t there, that group of women would be basically helpless.” An ambulance took around 30 to 45 minutes to arrive, and Rep. Carter mentioned that in her district, it might have taken around five to 10 minutes to get that same help.

“What that did for me was to say ‘Hmmmm, maybe we ought to put a little bit more emphasis on getting broadband and internet services in this vast area we have in the Upper Peninsula,” said Carter. “Because as Rep. Markkanen said, what if we hadn’t been there? What if that accident would have been more serious?”

Rep. Carter stated that she wouldn’t have seen the needs of the Upper Peninsula first-hand without being involved in the Michigan Legislative Exchange, and that it is going to influence how she advocates for all Michiganders in the House going forward.

“I think the advantage of a program like this is that if I never had come here, I would never know how the Upper Peninsula needs to have instant access, not only for Bond Falls, but (for) schools (and) students. They need internet access, the economy needs internet access, and it can’t be sporadic,” Carter said. “…when this issue comes up in the House again, I’m going to say ‘I was there, I saw the impact. I know that this is something that’s needed.’ I attribute that to being able to come up here across the bridge and experience it.”

The second pairing for the program, following Markkanen and Carter, will be State Rep. John Roth, R-Grand Traverse, and State Rep. Carol Glanville, D-Grand Rapids. More information about the Michigan Legislative Exchange can be found online at ippsr.msu.edu.

Abby LaForest can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 548. Her email address is alaforest@miningjournal.net.