+ − Contact Information
Email Address: alpscholka@house.mi.gov
Phone: (517) 373-1403
+ − Biography
DISTRICT
State Rep. Al Pscholka was first elected to the Michigan House in November 2010. He represents the 79th District, which includes part of Berrien County including the cities of Coloma, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, Bridgman and Watervliet as well as the townships of Bainbridge, Benton, Coloma, Hagar, Lake Charter, Lincoln, Royalton, St. Joseph and Watervliet.
EDUCATION
Pscholka earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Michigan University.
PROFESSIONAL
Pscholka was the district director for U.S. Congressman Fred Upton. He is also a former vice president of Cornerstone Alliance, where he served for nine years and won several national and state awards for developing the Community Partnership for Lifelong Learning, a business-education partnership. He is also a part-time broadcaster, doing play-by-play of local high school sports. Pscholka was part-owner of Cosy Broadcasting, which operated radio stations in South Haven and Stevensville. He served two terms as a trustee on the Lincoln Township Board and served as secretary to the Southwest Michigan Regional Sanitary Sewer and Water Authority.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
During his first two years in office, Representative Pscholka held the distinction of serving on more committees than any other member. In addition to serving on the Appropriations Committee, five subcommittees and chairing the Appropriations Subcommittee on Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Pscholka also had the privilege of serving on the Redistricting and Elections policy committee. In 2011, Representative Pscholka was named “Freshman Legislator of the Year” by the Michigan Information and Research Service Inc., a prestigious Lansing news organization. In addition to his performance, Representative Pscholka was also proud to be recognized for not missing a single vote during his first two years in office.
For the 2013-14 term, Pscholka was selected to serve as the Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, the Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittees on Higher Education, the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittees on Supplementals and Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). He also served on the subcommittees for Transportation and Human Services. The Republican caucus also elected Pscholka to serve as the Majority Caucus Leader, a position that presides over Republican caucus meetings.
For the current term, Pscholka was selected to serve as chair of the House Appropriations Committee.
PERSONAL
Pscholka and his wife Suzanne live in Lincoln Township. Their daughter Angela is a graduate of Hope College. He is a member of First Church of God in St. Joseph. Pscholka helped bring the HOSTS mentoring program to Benton Harbor Area Schools, and developed the On Location student-teacher internship project, involving more than 1,000 middle school students and over 200 businesses a year. He has been a mentor to students in Benton Harbor for the last 13 years. He also is a member of the Berrien County Farm Bureau, and served with the Michigan Works! Education Advisory Group, and the local Lest We Forget organization.