LANSING – Surrounded by family, friends and supporters, State Rep. Steven Lindberg (D-Marquette) today was sworn in to his first term in the Michigan House of Representatives during a ceremony at the State Capitol. Today marks the first day of the 94th Legislature, in which Democrats control the House of Representatives for the first time since 1998.
"It is a privilege and honor to represent and serve the people of the 109th House District," Lindberg said. "I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. I am eager to help make a positive change for the U.P. and for the entire state."
After the swearing-in ceremony, Lindberg and his fellow House Democrats wasted no time getting to work, introducing one plan that will end drug industry immunity and another plan that will reduce the influx of Canadian and out-of-state trash flowing into Michigan.
House Democrats introduced a proposal to repeal a 1996 law that gives big drug companies immunity when their products harm or kill our residents; the repeal would be retroactive to 1996. The plan also adds drug companies to the Consumer Protection Act, from which they currently are exempt.
House Democrats today also introduced a plan to ban landfills from expanding until 2011. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality said Michigan took in 6.2 million tons of Canadian and out-of-state trash in 2005, 100,000 tons more than in 2004.
"The people sent me to Lansing to be a voice for them and I am ready for the challenge," Lindberg said. "I will work hard for them. No task will be too small or too large to tackle. We have to protect and serve our residents and that's what I plan to do."