Battle Creek Democrat Mark Schauer hopes to defeat Battle Creek native Rick Snyder in order to become Michigan's next governor.
Schauer served in both the state House and state Senate before one term in Congress. Recent polls have shown a close race for governor. Schauer sat down with WMUK's Gordon Evans and Battle Creek Enquirer reporter Jennifer Bowman. A summary:
Education
One of the most contentious issues of the campaign has been education funding. Schauer and Democrats have criticized the Snyder administration for cutting education funding. Republicans and the Snyder campaign say total investment in education has increased since he took office. Schauer says cuts to K-12 schools, community colleges and state universities added up to over $1-billion. He says that's leading to less resources for schools. Schauer says schools will be his biggest budget priority.
Fact checking by media organizations has found that while it's true that less money is getting into the classroom, total dollars on education is up, and the retirement system for Michigan's public school teachers has been fully funded. Schauer says the state is responsible for teacher retirement. He says less money in the classroom means less quality in education.
How to Pay for It
Asked how he would pay for more money for education, Schauer says money dedicated for K-12 schools should go there, rather than to higher education. Schauer says he plans to audit state government and end what he calls "sweetheart contracts" and eliminate other waste. He says more transparency is needed for state contracts for furniture and public money spent on charter schools.
Taxes
Schauer says Snyder has cut taxes for business at the expense of the middle class, kids and retirees. He says a consumer-driven economy is being hurt by allowing some pension income to be taxed. Schauer says he wants to change the tax system so it doesn't reward companies that move jobs out of state or overseas.
Roads
Michigan lawmakers have failed to reach any agreement on a long-term plan for road funding. Schauer says Governor Snyder has not exercised leadership on roads. He says it will take a bi-partisan effort to come up with a road funding plan. Schauer says businesses need to pay their "fair share." He says that should include getting more from heavy trucks that use Michigan's roads. Schauer did not say if he would support an increase in the gas tax or vehicle registration fees to pay for infrastructure.
Campaign
Asked about ads that link him to former Governor Jennifer Granholm, Schauer says the election is about Governor Snyder's record and policies. He also notes that all of the legislation criticized in the ads which was approved during the Granholm administration, had to pass a Senate under Republican control. Schauer says voters see there is a "stark difference" between the vision he is offering and Governor Snyder's record.
Discussion of other issues can be heard in the web version of the interview.
Working With the Legislature
Schauer says there is a sense of "buyer's remorse," comparing Snyder's actions as governor with how he campaigned. As part of the discussion on roads, Schauer was asked how he would work better with a GOP controlled Legislature than a Republican governor has. The former state lawmaker says his experience in the Legislature will help him work in a bi-partisan way.
Women's Issues
A web advertisement by the Michigan College Republicans parodying the show "Say Yes to the Dress" has drawn heavy criticism. Schauer calls it "out of touch" and says Snyder should denounce the ad. The Democratic nominee for governor says his choice of running mate (Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown) shows the emphasis he puts on issues such as equal pay for equal work. Schauer says he would work to repeal a law that requires women to purchase additional health insurance if they want coverage for abortion.
