On Wednesday night, Republican Mark Jansen and Democrat Albert Abbassee debated at a candidate forum held at Grand Valley State University. The two candidates are campaigning for the 28th District Senate seat that covers the cities of Walker, Wyoming, East Grand Rapids, Rockford, and Cedar Springs, and the townships of Alpine, Algoma, Byron, Caledonia, Cannon, Courtland, Gaines, Grand Rapids, Nelson, Oakfield, Plainfield, Solon, Spencer and Tyrone. In keeping with Media Mouse’s commitment to provide substantive election coverage, a summary of questions and responses follows.
Opening Statement
Albert Abbasse (AA): These are difficult and trying times for the state of Michigan and we need and individual with an understanding of what is going on today. He already has plans in place and issues to work on when he gets elected. He teaches political science and ecomonics.
Mark Jansen (MJ): He served with Bill Byl of the Public Policy Institute (the entity sponsoring the debate) in the Michigan House of Representatives and has lived in the community almost his whole life. The path the Michigan is on needs to be changed and he offers the experience needed for bold leadership.
Q: At the end of 2007 the Single Business Tax (SBT) will disappear, should it be replaced dollar-for-dollar or should cuts be made?
MJ: He is currently looking at this and the ideas that are out there, but he thinks that 80 to 100% needs to be replaced been on appropriations and has made cuts and he is able to evaluate what is a critical service and what is not.
AA: He would replace it with 148% of its value. The Abbasse Economic Plan that he has been working on will provide fair and just taxation, increase revenue, and reduce taxes on businesses.
Q: There has been a discussion about eliminating the Personal Property Tax in the gubernatorial race, do you support this, and if so, how would you replace the revenue?
AA: He does not think it needs to be removed now but would like it to be. His economic plan will bring $1.2 billion into the general fund to help education, revenue sharing, and to provide incentives for businesses.
MJ: It should be on the table to replace as business owners want the tax structure to change. It needs to be reduced or eliminated but there has to be a dialog with local communities dependent on this money.
Q: Governor Granholm has said that she would like to see the number of graduates from four year institutions double, do you support this goal and how would you pay for it?
MJ: He agrees and kids need to go onto higher education (parents also need to be part of the discussion). He worked on the merit scholarship system with tobacco dollars and would like to do more things like that while increasing funding.
AA: He agrees with it, but the legislature is unwilling to take care of this. His plan will put as much as $500 million back into cities.
MJ: In appropriations other schools are getting money, area universities need someone to fight for their fair share.
AA: We do not need to fight for it but rather get the community and those who understand economics involved in the struggle.
Q: In the mid-1990s the state took over education funding with Proposal A, is it working or does it need revisions?
MJ: Proposal A is working well but funding levels could be brought up. It is not perfect and he is willing to look at it if needed. It is important to pay attention to local control.
AA: proposal A was and is good, but many economists went to Lansing and asked Engler what would be done if the economy tanked (which it has). He wanted a sunset provision on it. It removed board of education control and managing from Lansing.
Q: Proposal A provides operating, but not infrastructure funds. How would you fund infrastructure?
AA: There is funding in his economic package for this. He ties it to state domestic gross product and funding would grow as that indicator does. Local school boards must be allowed to fund infrastructure.
MJ: He wants schools to decide how to do infrastructure and most can fund it through bonds or philanthropy. Infrastructure funds should not come out of Proposal A money.
Q: Would you cap or increase the number of charter schools?
MJ: This is almost a mute issue as Indian tribes can now expand them. We can look at expanding them in some form and there should be charter high schools.
AA: He likes what MJ had to say. High schools are not profitable and he wants to eliminate charter schools as they are a drain on state resources. He has a plan for good schools and good funding.
MJ: It would be a devastation to eliminate charter schools as the competition has been good and it has driven higher parental involvement.
AA: Competition belongs in business, not education.
Q: Over the past few years there have been a number of programs serving low income and poor residents, do these cuts reflect your priorities and are there any programs that you would restore funding to?
AA: His economic plan will provide money to pay for these services and he wants to see mental health funding restored. This is a serious issue especially with mercury and lead poisoning. Adoption laws also need reworking.
MJ: He would go back to Individual Development Accounts and allow those below poverty to use them for education, housing, and small businesses. He touted a $2 million program that he setup that generated $150 million.
Q: Michigan is one of the top ten states in infant mortality, what should be done about it?
MJ: There is not a good presence in urban areas and he would encourage work with the Kent County Health Department and work with doctors.
AA: The number has been increasing since 1999 because the legislature is not working on the issue. He would work with local communities and hospitals, education can help but these programs need to be funded by growing Michigan.
Q: Do you support or oppose Proposal 2 and what would its impact be?
AA: Vote no on 2, the state cannot go backwards. He protested in the 1960s for everyone to have equal rights. He talked about how when he worked as a banker he was not allowed to give loans to people due to their race.
MJ: He is against it and while we should be working toward a colorblind society this is the wrong way. His fatherhood initiative while in the House would not be allowed because it focuses only on males.
Q: Do you support Proposal 5, and if it passes, how will you fund it?
MJ: He is against it because the budget is squeezed and it would be hard to get the $500 to $600 million needed. It might be devastating for corrections or higher education.
AA: There are good intentions behind it but bad economics, especially with the SBT repeal and talk about not wanting to replace all of it.
MJ: $500 to $600 million is just the tip of the iceberg because cuts in some programs might also mean a lost in federal dollars.
AA: We need to make sure to grow the state.
Q: What is your position on the ballot proposal outlawing dove hunting?
AA: People shoot quail, pheasant, and other birds and it is troubling that there is a focus on this. He supports the second amendment and has no position on this.
MJ: He supports a dove season and said that they die every 18 months anyway. He believes in hunting rights and will vote for it.
Q: Is the gas tax at the right level and are highways in good shape?
MJ: Roads are falling apart and there has been a 6-8% cut in Kent County. He voted as a road commissioner to “try” to get roads cleared of snow in 24 hours. He is not sure if he supports a new gas tax.
AA: He does not want to increase any taxes and would equally proportion SBT across all businesses. The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce wants to fund infrastructure on the backs of the people.
Q: Do support eliminating retirement benefits for term-limited legislators?
AA: He will take a pay cut if he goes to Lansing and he is not there to work for high wages or perks.
MJ: The benefits changed in 1997 when he came to the legislature. He wouldn’t want to cut what they get now.
Q: What are your views on gay rights in Michigan?
MJ: He has friends who are gay and whom he respects but he does not support adoption rights and does not want to use state dollars to promote homosexuality. He said that gays are “great citizens.”
AA: We are all US citizens and should have the same equal opportunities. If someone loves a child they should be able to adopt, there should be no problems because of GBLT status.
Q: Would you support increases in foundation grants being conditioned on addressing K-12 retirement?
AA: Operations must be controlled by local school districts and the issue needs to be addressed. Problems in funding and problems with Proposal A have been ignored.
MJ: He does not support as the legislature should be able to pass legislation to improve the situation.
Q: What priority would you place on water cleanliness and the retention of Great Lakes water?
MJ: The Great Lakes are one of the three great economies here—tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture. The legislation regarding Ice Mountain should be looked at to make sure that it is still meeting the needs of the state, yet there is still an obligation to share our water as others do with oil.
AA: He will not give up water without a fight. He will work to do everything within his power to clean up the lakes and the air. The state cannot be up for sale.
Q: What is your position on live fire Coast Guard trainings on the Great Lakes?
AA: These will have a tough time under him. They are dangerous and there is a serious potential for accidents. He wants a House resolution opposing them.
MJ: They are a bad idea with people in boats and using the lakes for recreation. They could be done far away on the oceans.
Closing Statements
MJ: GVSU is the model of higher education that we should be striving for. He would be honored to have our votes.
AA: The difference between him and his opponent is that his opponent was on appropriations in 2002 but did not do his job when he sent a deficit budget to the governor. Do you want an economist or a career politician handling appropriations?
