Special Report PRIMARY ELECTION 2010 Governor's Race from page 23 we must make sure more dollars get to the classroom by reforming school employee benefits and pensions. This one move would push an additional $750 million into classrooms without any more taxes. Additionally, by consolidating non-instructional services like busing, food, human resources and finance at the county or intermediate school district level, many millions more would go to stu- dents, not bureaucracy. To improve school quality, I support ideas like removing the cap on charter schools, merit pay for teachers, and adding more school days. 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: My first priority as governor is to reinvigorate Michigan's economy, and I have a 64-page plan to do it. It is essential we keep young people here. Too many families are losing their children and their grandchildren to other states because Lansing is getting it wrong and jobs aren't being created. I will implement a $2 billion tax cut, cutting the Michigan business tax by 50 percent (and eventually phasing it out) and repealing the 2007 personal income tax increase. My plan also contains common-sense spending cuts I will make as governor. 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 am working with Democrats, including U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, on a variety of projects, including the fight to stop Asian carp from devastating the Great Lakes' $7 billion fishery and tens of thousands of Michigan jobs. I have also worked with Rep. Dingell to defend the auto industry from over-regulation and worked across the aisle to stop Blue Cross. But a bigger problem in Lansing than any lack of bi- partisanship is the lack of leadership. As a Marine, a prosecutor and Michigan attorney general, I have made the tough decisions and know how to lead. Q: Michigan/Israel Cooperation — Would you lead/support efforts to promote trade, security cooperation and cultural exchanges between Michigan and Israel? A: From the time I wrote a term paper in high school on Theodor Herzl, I have admired Israelis and the Israeli economy. I just finished reading Start-Up Nation, a great book by two former Michiganders, Dan Senor and Saul Singer, about the economic miracle of the Israeli economy. My economic plan, found at www. MikeCox2010.com, mirrors many of the choices Israel has pursued over the past decade. I want to deepen the ties between Israel and Michigan. Q: Creationism — Should "intelligent design"/creationism be part of the science curriculum in public schools? A: The courts have established parameters on this issue that public schools have to comply with. Q: Welfare — What would you do to maintain a solid "safety net" for those most affected by Michigan's economic downturn? A: Maimonides said that the greatest charity one can give to another is to help them so that they will no longer need charity. Creating an environment where job makers, entrepreneurs and families can succeed will be my No. 1 priority as governor. I have a specific, comprehensive plan to cut government spending and to cut taxes by $2 billion, taking Michigan from the third worst business tax in the nation to one of the 10 best. By cutting wasteful government spending, we will also prioritize the dollars Lansing does spend, ensuring they are being spent as effectively as possible. Q: Jobs/Economy — What would you do to get people jobs that can support a family, and how long will it take? A: I am the only candidate for governor with a 64-page plan to put Michigan back to work. My first act as governor will be to cut the job-killing Michigan business tax — the "jobs tax" — in half on the way to repealing it. Combining that with a $700 million cut to Michigan's personal income tax, we'll empower job makers and entrepreneurs to do what they do best — create jobs. Cutting taxes by $2 billion will also force Lansing to live within its means. That's why I've also proposed common sense, achievable spending cuts I will make as governor. 24 Juiy 29 • 2010 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: It is essential that we use every possible measure to stop terrorism in all forms. We must remain vigilant and find every possible avenue to stop terrorism from occurring. We need to review our prison system from top to bottom to ensure that dangerous ter- rorists are not being recruited. As governor, I will work with the Michigan Department of Corrections and appoint a strong leader to head the department in order to ensure that prisoners are not in a position to threaten this country's national security. 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: Nonprofits across the state continue to do tremendous work benefiting Michigan families. It's time that Lansing got out of the way, cut red tape and empowered Michigan residents in communities across the state to follow their passions and pro- vide the services people need. TOM GEORGE Republican Tom George, 53, is a state senator from the Kalamazoo area and an anesthesiologist. He received his bachelor's and medical degree (1982) from the University of Michigan. He has also been a state representative and medical director at Hospice of Greater Kalamazoo. He is a past president of the Michigan Historical Society and has written and produced history documentaries. He lives in Texas Township with his wife, Sandy. They have three children. Website: www.georgeforgovernor.com Q: Education — What would you do to ensure adequate funding and top-flight instruction in our public schools? A: As a volunteer instructor for MSU's College of Human Medicine, I understand the importance of exposing students to a variety of perspectives and the value of allowing professionals to share their real-world experiences. That's why I supported a bill to provide an alternative pathway for teacher certification. I also voted for legislation to establish a Michigan Merit Curriculum so that minimum standards are set on a statewide basis for high school graduation. Additionally, I have voted to provide greater flexibility for teachers and school districts to develop programs that best address the needs of the students. 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: Young people leave Michigan for jobs. Government does not create jobs but shapes an environment conducive to job growth. I would streamline business permitting by creating a single agency responsible for issuing permits in a timely manner. Additionally, Michigan faces a crisis of declining revenues and annual health care cost increases. Health care spending is the largest portion of our bud- get, but we are no healthier than other states. Reforms focusing on participation (attending appointments, screenings, smoking cessation, regular exercise) will improve health while reducing costs. A healthier Michigan with jobs will retain as well as attract young people. 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 have been involved with numerous bipartisan efforts from legislation to restrict the number of billboard permits issued by the state, to mental health and civil commitment legislation, to smoke-free air legislation, to health reform legislation that I've been working on for the past year with Rep. Marc Corriveau. I am the only Republican candidate with experience in a term-limited legislature and am proud of my record of working in a bipartisan fashion to address important issues.