By By ERIN VER BERKMOES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - With Congress on a month-long recess, Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, enjoys being able to spend time in Michigan and visit communities in his district.
Upton made a stop at the Leader Publications office on Friday, to talk about what has been going on with different hot topics in Washington, D.C.
Recently a bill sponsored by Upton calling for the change of daylight savings time passed Congress. The bill, which will take effect in March of 2007, calls for daylight savings time to be extended two months of the year.
Daylight saving time would be extended by four weeks, starting the second Sunday of March and lasting through the first Sunday of November.
Upton talked about what he plans to be working on when Congress goes back into session in September.
There is a transition currently happening with broadcasting switching from analog to digital systems. The selling of this equipment would save the country funds and reduce the deficit.
According to Upton the telecommunications laws haven't been updated since the mid 1990s.
Upton was recently also successful in securing a portion of the $40 million the state of Michigan will be receiving to fund the fixing of certain highways.
Funds were also secured by Upton, which will allow the St. Joseph River to be dredged.
The dredging should be completed within the coming week.
Upton who is an avid sports fan, touched on the recent steroid use of major league baseball player Rafael Palermo. Palermo testified in front of Congress that he had never taken steroids to improve his performance.
Finally Upton talked about the recent investigation by the Federal Trade Commission into the lewd graphics in the game Grand Theft Auto.