Virg Bernero, Democrat
Virg Bernero, Democrat Mayor of Lansing What is your impression of the Chaldean American community? Michigan is a multi-ethnic and multifaith society — and we are better off as a result. The Chaldean American community is a huge part of what makes Michigan great. The family values and entrepreneurial and innovative spirit exhibited by the community in the face of economic hardship speaks volumes. With 61 percent of Chaldean households owning their own business, the Chaldean American community continues to give back to their local communities as an economic driver. I am proud to have many Arab Americans in my inner circle of advisers and friends. Diversifying the economy is the big buzzword since the auto industry’s retraction. What are your specific plans to diversify Michigan’s economy? I will pursue the same aggressive and successful diversification strategy that we have followed in the City of Lansing. Like many urban core cities, Lansing has an abundance of obsolete, abandoned industrial facilities and we’ve transformed many of these buildings into homes for cutting-edge technology companies in areas like bioscience, nanotechnology and nuclear particle accelerators. My jobs plan includes improving access to capital for small businesses and using economic incentives to put old buildings back into use. We can build on the foundation of diversification already established in areas like advanced battery technology, homeland security and medical technologies. Name three specific things to help Michigan’s economy that you will implement in your first year as governor. My state bank proposal will open up credit opportunities for businesses by partnering with Michigan-based community banks and credit unions to make loans for new equipment and facility expansions that create new jobs. I will create 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 0,000 in a new venture that employs at least 10 Americans. michigan’s governor race Candidates answer our questions The race is on for a new leader to replace the term-limited Jennifer Granholm as Michigan’s governor. The primary election is on August 3; the top Democrat and Republican will face off in the November 2 general election. The Chaldean News asked the major candidates to answer the following five questions. I will create Michigan manufacturing zones that would offer tax incentives to a business for reusing a brownfield — an obsolete manufacturing site — to manufacture something. At least 61 percent of Chaldean households own their own business. What will you do as governor to help small businesses? I will eliminate the onerous and confusing MBT surcharge. I will reorganize the MEDC into divisions that concentrate assistance in the entrepreneurial sector, more specifically, into the growth of Stage II small businesses, urban re-development (sense of place) and the extension of a public/private incubation network for start-up businesses. Third, existing incentives and new incentives will be changed and/or created that focus on value-added goods and services businesses, i.e. manufacturing and their Michigan supply chain, whether that be tables and chairs, cars or software. Why on earth do you want to be governor? Given Michigan’s troubles, it has to be the most thankless job in the state. Citizens across Michigan have told me that they need a dramatically different kind of leadership at the State Capitol. They think their state government is broken and so do I. Our current leaders have delivered little more than the same old partisan bickering, presiding over budget debacles and state government shutdowns in two of the last three years. I’ve had it with our Michigan being redlined, our businesses cut off from credit, our families evicted from their homes. It’s time to put the public interest ahead of the personal and private interests of paid lobbyists. It’s time to make Michigan work for us again. Michael Bouchard, Republican Oakland County Sheriff What is your impression of the Chaldean American community? As an American with Lebanese descent, I share the rich cultural and family values with the Chaldean American community. My decision to run for governor was rooted in the fact that I want a Michigan where our children can find a job and their families can flourish. This love and respect for family has been instilled into me by my Lebanese-American mother. During my years as an elected official, I have always made an effort to develop a strong working relationship with the Chaldean American community. As governor, I will continue to build that relationship and ensure the Chaldean American community’s concerns are heard in Lansing. Diversifying the economy is the big buzzword since the auto industry’s retraction. What are your specific plans to diversify Michigan’s economy? Michigan needs to once again be the place to do business. I have introduced my “Principle for a Permanent Prosperity” plan, which encourages long-term job growth by cutting business taxes and restricting government growth and spending so job creators can make decisions about their future investments knowing they’ll have an economic climate that fosters future success. In order for Michigan to create the environment for economic growth and investment, we must assure job creators they will have the tools necessary for success over the long-term. I will focus on rightsizing government, ensuring taxes and regulation stay low, and fostering an economic climate which allows Michigan residents and businesses to thrive in a global economy. My proposals focus on Michigan’s long-term success and ensuring that job providers can and will succeed. Name three specific things to help Michigan’s economy that you will implement in your first year as governor. Jobs will be my No. 1 priority as governor. I have introduced my “Stop Wasting Time, Start Creating Jobs” plan, which would institute critical reforms to cut government red tape and break down other barriers that stifle job creation. There is no time to waste. Government should be working with, rather than against, job creators and making it easier for them to grow and invest here. My plan calls for a freeze of all pending regulatory rules until a review of existing regulations is completed. As governor, I would not sign any regulatory bills into law until a detailed cost-benefit analysis is done on behalf of the citizens and job providers it would affect. I recognize that the top two creators of jobs are business startups and businesses that expand. Therefore, I would focus government efforts and incentives more on growing businesses in Michigan. At least 61 percent of Chaldean households own their own business. What will you do as governor to help small businesses? 30 CHALDEAN NEWS JULY 2010
Virg Bernero Michael Bouchard Mike Cox Andy Dillon Peter Hoekstra Rick Snyder Eight out of 10 jobs created in Michigan are small businesses. I have been a small business owner and know how it feels to sign the front and the back of a check. I have outlined in my short-term economic plan and long-term economic plan crucial steps that need to be taken immediately to make Michigan friendlier to our small business owners. My blueprint to fix Lansing and get Michigan back to work draws on my experience as a small-business owner and as a former state senator when I helped bring Michigan to better economic times in the 1990s. Why on earth do you want to be governor? Given Michigan’s troubles, it has to be the most thankless job in the state. In my conversations with families all across our state, people are worried and families are struggling. We all know someone – a family member, neighbor or friend – who have lost their job. Therefore, I believe the next governor needs the knowledge, experience and backbone to make the tough choices and just as important to see them through. The bottom line is if we cannot create a Michigan where our children can find a job and compete globally, then we have failed as leaders, which is unacceptable. Consequently, I am running for governor for the next generation, not the next election. Mike Cox, Republican Attorney General What is your impression of the Chaldean American community? The Chaldean American community is an irreplaceable part of the hard-working fabric that makes Michigan the greatest state in the nation. I am proud to have the endorsement of many members of the Chaldean American community including Frank Jonna, Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce chairman. Like many of you, 60 years ago my parents immigrated to Michigan because it was the economic engine of the world — a beacon of hope and a shining state on a hill. Sixty-one percent of Chaldean families own a business and 39 percent own more than one business. Your community is a major part of the economic engine driving this state. Diversifying the economy is the big buzzword since the auto industry’s retraction. What are your specific plans to diversify Michigan’s economy? My first priority is to reinvigorate Michigan’s economy. That’s why in addition to cutting wasteful spending by billion I will implement a billion tax cut, cutting the Michigan Business Tax by 50 percent (and eventually phasing it out) and repealing the 2007 personal income tax increase. Making these changes, Michigan will go from having the third worst business tax to the seventh best. I will also focus on putting more dollars into the classroom to improve Michigan’s K-12 education system so our next generation has the tools and the know-how to succeed in the 21st century economy. Name three specific things to help Michigan’s economy that you will implement in your first year as governor. First, I will cut spending and right-size government. Second, I will cut taxes for every job-provider and taxpayer. Third, and most importantly, I will show true leadership by implementing my 92-point plan to turn around Michigan. For too long, Michigan has suffered from failed leadership from Governor Granholm. As governor, I will right-size Michigan government and make billion in specific spending cuts. I will also implement a billion tax cut by cutting the Michigan Business Tax (the “Jobs Tax”) in half (and eventually phasing it out) and repealing the 2007 income tax hike. At least 61 percent of Chaldean households own their own business. What will you do as governor to help small businesses? Empowering small business owners and job makers means spending less and taxing less. By cutting government spending by billion I will make sure bureaucrats in Lansing tighten their belts the way job makers have been tightening theirs for years. I will also cut the jobs tax in half immediately (on the way to phasing it out completely) and will eliminate the Granholm-Dillon 2007 income tax increase, providing an immediate home-state stimulus for small business owners. Letting you keep more of your money means less waste in Lansing and more money infused directly into our families and our economy. Why on earth do you want to be governor? Given Michigan’s troubles, it has to be the most thankless job in the state. Michigan needs change. Our economy is failing, our infrastructure is crumbling, our children are leaving and residents are losing hope. Michigan is at a crossroads but Lansing is driving us in the wrong direction. Our state suffers from a jobs deficit but just as importantly, we are suffering from a leadership deficit. As a Marine, a homicide prosecutor and as Attorney General I’ve made the tough calls, the tough cuts and the tough decisions. I’m tough enough to lead Michigan and I’m running for governor because our friends and neighbors can’t afford four more years of the broken status quo. Andy Dillon, Democrat Speaker Of The House What is your impression of the Chaldean American community? Michigan is privileged to have such a large and diverse Chaldean American community. I am proud that our strong Chaldean presence has made Michigan a valuable source for the Chaldean perspective when it is sought on both a state and federal level. This perspective is valuable and appreciated in its contribution to the rich tapestry of cultures Michigan has come to offer. Diversifying the economy is the big buzzword since the auto industry’s retraction. What are your specific plans to diversify Michigan’s economy? The future growth and development of the State of Michigan depends on our recognition of our unique strengths and our willingness to build on them. Michigan is rich in the resources and workforce necessary for renewed prosperity. I would increase support for the assets we already reap great benefits from: Research and Development, Advanced Manufacturing, and our thriving Agricultural and Tourism Industries. election continued on page 32 JULY 2010 CHALDEAN NEWS 31
