| Clearly, given the economic downturn, industrial off-shoring, and financial crisis, the economy and jobs are the number one issue in West Michigan, Michigan and America. Realistically, what can the state legislature do to revitalize our economy and create jobs? How can we make Michigan competitive in the global marketplace as we go into the future?
As State Representative I will give preference for tax breaks and other economic development tools to companies that hire Michigan residents. As I mentioned earlier, I will also encourage job creation by fostering entrepreneurship and create a more business-friendly environment in Michigan to attract 21st century job providers by reducing the tax burden on businesses. Finally, we can expand the No Worker Left Behind program, which is currently helping over 30,000 workers get the training they need in high-demand fields that are available NOW.
The West Michigan Policy Conference came out in support of turning the state, or at least counties in our region, into a Right-to-Work area. Do you agree and why or why not?
Absolutely not. Studies have shown RTW laws pay workers lower wages, reduce their benefits and hinder the ability to create a safe work environment.
What can be done about the foreclosure crisis in Michigan?
We are working hard in the Legislature to help our working families hit hard by the foreclosure crisis. I supported a plan that will allow homeowners saddled with risky adjustable-rate mortgages, and those who have missed mortgage payments, to refinance and secure a fixed-rate loan. This plan will keep our communities strong by helping our hard-working residents stay in their homes.
What are some of the environmental issues you think are salient in Michigan right now?
The Great Lakes are our most precious natural resource, and the Legislature must fight to ensure that our water is not siphoned off and sold for profit. I supported the Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact recently approved by Congress, and I will continue fighting to protect our water.
I am also committed to fighting the influx of Canadian and out-of-state trash that is pouring into Michigan. I will raise the state's paltry dumping charge and ban more landfills from being built in our state until 2012.
After months of negotiations, Renewable Portfolio Standards (the amount of energy utilities will be required to generate from alternative, clean energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, etc) were fixed at 10% in legislation recently signed by Governor Granholm. Do you support Granholm's 21st Century Jobs plan to stimulate the development of an alternative energy manufacturing sector while lowering long-term energy costs and decreasing greenhouse gasses? Do you support the RPS at 10% or should it be higher or lower?
Do I support creating good-paying jobs in renewable energy while lowering costs and reducing our dependence on foreign oil? Absolutely! I would like to see a higher RPS, but 10 percent is a good start.
Where do you stand on various Lansing reform issues such as lifting or extending legislative term-limits, moving to a part-time legislature, lowering legislative pay, cutting legislative retirement and health benefits, and various ethics and disclosure reforms?
I am the sponsor of the plan to eliminate free lifetime health care benefits for legislators. I also voted to cut my pay, and I support many of the ethics reforms in the House, such as ending the revolving door between lawmakers and lobbyists. As lawmakers, we need to make sacrifices like everybody else.
How can we reduce the level of high partisanship in Lansing we've experienced in the last two years with the budget impasse and the recall efforts?
Well, I'd like to think that we have more in common that we have differences -- we all want a brighter future for our children and we all want to move our state forward. We have to focus on our similarities and not our differences.
Did or do you support the compromised balanced budget agreement of last year? In general, what are your thoughts on the future budgets and taxation?
I did support last year's budget compromise. My priority was making sure that vital services - such as education, health care and police and fire protection - were not slashed. In the future, I cannot see myself supporting any more tax increases on our working families.
There have been some complaints about Michigan's business tax, should there be in major overalls in the tax structure of the state?
I do believe that the MBT needs to be revisited, and that the 22 percent surcharge should be repealed.
What can be done to improve education in Michigan?
One thing we can do is work to build bridges between high school and post-secondary education. Some communities are already doing that with "middle colleges" where kids are earning their high school diploma while getting a jump start on a 2- or 4-year degree. I will work to expand programs like these, that train our students to work in high-tech and fast-growing fields.
Of course, the most important way to improve education in Michigan is ensuring that our schools receive the funding they need. This year I voted for a plan that would provide Grand Rapids Public Schools with an extra $106 in per pupil funding. I will keep continue fighting for our schools.
What are your thoughts on Proposal 2 -- allowing Stem Cell research in Michigan?
As someone who is pro-life, I do not support Proposal 2.
What can be done to recover some of the massive cuts that have been made in the State budget in revenue sharing grants to cities like Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Traverse City, etc?
We need to work with the auditor general's office to cut wasteful spending from state departments. That will free up some funding for our local governments, which provide vital services to our residents every day.
When you're out canvassing, and you knock on somebody's door, and they listen to what you have to say, then they ask you the question: "Why should I vote for you and not this other person?" What do you say? In other words, what would you say are the main differences between you and your Republican rival?
When I am out at the doors, I like to hear the concerns of my constituents, even when I am campaigning. They give me guidance, they give direction. I represent them in Lansing, hearing their thoughts help me to do my job in the Legislature. When they ask me why they should vote for me, I tell them about myself and why I ran in the first place. I tell them about the work that I have done in my first term as their Representative. When I am having a conversation with a constituent, partisanship goes out the window. People respond to me on a personal level.
What have you learned during the course of the campaign?
Good Shoes... always wear good shoes.
What role has the internet played in your campaign?
The internet allows us to respond more quickly and effectively to our supporters. Email is faster and more economical than traditional mail. Voters now have much more information at their finger-tips. I prefer the electorate to be informed voters, rather than elections being a popularity contest.
What future do you see for Democrats in West Michigan and in your district? Do West Michigan Democrats in the State House need to form an official or unofficial caucus?
I think that a West Michigan caucus would be a great idea. First let's work on increasing our numbers. Southeast Michigan seems to dominate Michigan politics. West Michigan is full of diverse communities that are nothing like those on the other side of the state.
Thanks Representative Dean.
You're welcome. Thanks for inviting me to come on the blog. |
