Special Report
PRIMARY ELECTION 2010
Governor's Race from page 19
VIRG BERNERO
Democrat
Virg Bernero, 46, has been the mayor of Lansing since
2005, having been re-elected in 2009 with 63 percent of
the vote. He graduated from Adrian College in 1986 with
a bachelor's degree in political science. In 1991, Bernero
was an Ingham County Commissioner. From 1995-1999,
he served as a development officer for Alma College and
as executive director of the Michigan Association for
Children with Emotional Disorders (MACED). Bernero
served in the Michigan legislature between 2000 and
2005, first as a representative and then as a senator. He is married to Teri Bernero, an
elementary school principal. They have two daughters in college.
Website: www.votevirg.com
Q: Education — What would you do to ensure adequate funding and
top-flight instruction in our public schools?
A: Stable and equitable education funding is essential. We must invest in our young
people to ensure they are prepared to succeed in the new global economy. Michigan
is only as strong as its ability to train, educate and innovate.
Education is one area that requires strategic investment, especially in tough times.
A strong public education system is a vital tool for economic development. I am com-
mitted to protecting education funding, beginning with pre-K and extending through
high school to higher education. Fixing our school funding system will require care-
ful analysis and reasoned consideration of the alternatives. We must find ways to
continue making strategic investments in education that reward innovation, teaching
excellence and student achievement. Our schools must have a predictable, reliable
source of funding.
Q: Young Professionals — What would you do so more young people
will choose to remain in Michigan and contribute to our economy and
society?
A: We have great institutions of higher learning in Michigan, but too many of the best
and the brightest leave Michigan after graduation. My administration will do every-
thing we can to create an environment and provide incentives that will increase our
ability to retain the talent that our publicly funded universities create every year. My
state bank proposal will offer low interest loans to young people who promise to stay
in Michigan after graduation.
Q: Bipartisanship — What would you do to restore confidence in the
ability of our elected officials to embrace bipartisanship to address
important issues and govern effectively?
A: I will work across party lines, as I did when I was a state representative and sena-
tor, to find common ground on the critical issues that face our state. A successful
relationship between the governor's office and the legislature must be based on
mutual respect and a willingness to set aside partisanship and work together to move
the state forward. As I have done as mayor, we will need to find ways to get beyond
our disagreements, stay at the negotiating table and work out sensible solutions. This
can only be achieved in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust, which is what I
will promote as governor.
Q: Michigan/Israel Cooperation — Would you lead/support efforts to
promote trade, security cooperation and cultural exchanges between
Michigan and Israel?
A: Yes.
Q: Creationism — Should "intelligent design"/creationism be part of
the science curriculum in public schools?
A: No.
Q: Welfare — What would you do to maintain a solid "safety net" for
those most affected by Michigan's economic downturn?
A: As Governor, I will demand that the legislature get off the dime and pass a two-
year moratorium on mortgage foreclosures. A bill to do just that has been languish-
ing in the state legislature. To restore the economic foundation that will provide jobs
for future generations and to provide funding for essential strategic investments in
our children's future, we must bring structural balance to Michigan's budget. This will
not happen unless we realize significant growth in tax revenues derived from new
economic activity and new jobs.
Q: Jobs/Economy — What would you do to get people jobs that can sup-
port a family, and how long will it take?
A: My Main Street Michigan Agenda also includes the creation of Michigan
International Business Investment Zones (MIBIZ) to take advantage of the federal
EB-5 program that offers permanent U.S. residency to foreign nationals who invest at
least $500,000 in a new venture that employs at least 10 Americans. I will also estab-
lish Green Manufacturing Zones that will offer economic incentives to a business
— foreign or domestic — to put former automotive sites back into productive use. I
will especially focus on advanced manufacturing of new green technologies, includ-
ing solar and wind power, biomass, and electric battery and vehicle technology.
Q: Prison Propaganda — What can be done to monitor and filter mate-
rials coming into our prison system so it doesn't become a recruiting
ground for Islamic extremists and domestic terror?
A: Materials coming into the prison system should be monitored for any religious or
political extremist propaganda that may incite further violence and that may hinder
our ability to rehabilitate people in prison. As we saw with the Hutaree, violence and
terror know no religion. As governor, I will put greater emphasis on comprehensive
prison reform because the largest misnomer in state government is the "corrections"
system. Too often, no correction actually takes place and people return to prison soon
after leaving.
Q: Nonprofit Support — With shrinking state funding for social ser-
vices, how must the state support and facilitate the efforts of nonprofits
that are picking up the slack?
A: As Governor, I will do everything I can to support our nonprofit community
that thousands of Michigan residents depend on. Overall economic health of urban
centers and the surrounding areas is largely dependent upon sound, progressive
and innovative urban policy. The social vitality of Michigan's urban communities is
directly linked to the prosperity of its larger cities and urban cores. Vibrant cities that
address the issues of poverty alleviation, education, business, and infrastructure will
generate economic growth and cultural enrichment. Cities can accomplish this by
uniting with local businesses, universities, and other cultural, faith-based, and non-
profit institutions.
ANDY DILLON
Democrat
Andy Dillon, 48, is serving his second term as speaker of
the Michigan House of Representatives. He was first elect-
ed a state representative in 2004, and is serving his third
term. He earned accounting and law degrees at Notre
Dame in South Bend, Ind., specializing in business law
and focusing on turning struggling companies around. He
returned to Michigan to practice law before going to work
in the private sector with GE Capital, focusing on reviving
businesses and preserving Michigan manufacturing jobs.
Dillon and his wife, Sue, live in Redford. They have four children.
Website: www.andydillon.com
Q: Education — What would you do to ensure adequate funding and
top-flight instruction in our public schools?
A: We can't afford to put one of our most important investments, a quality educa-
tion for our kids, on the chopping block year after year. That is why I passed school
employee retirement reform and have proposed a plan to pool public employees'
health care benefits, which could save the state up to a billion dollars. These savings
can be directed to Michigan's schools and classrooms. As governor, I would also work
to capitalize on more opportunities like Race to the Top.
Governor's Race on page 22
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July 29 2010