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 20 July 29 2010