Analysis
Here we have the first time that a reporter in the Grand Rapids area has asked either of the Gubernatorial candidates any serious questions since we have been tracking election coverage this year. The four issues that DeVos was asked to respond to were immigration, Single Business Tax, gas prices and affirmative action. Ask yourself if any of the responses are based on verifiable information, a clear plan, or are they just opinions? What could the reporter have done to ask follow up questions to flesh out more details on each of these important issues?
Article Text
GOP gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos spoke with Press reporter Ted Roelofs during his bus tour. Here are excerpts:
There are an estimated 40,000 undocumented residents in West Michigan. Do you think individuals who come to this country illegally ought to have a path to citizenship?
I happen to think there should be a path to citizenship for everybody, but there needs to be a path and there needs to be a process that needs to be respected. The laws of this country must be respected. We must secure the borders of this country first and foremost, and we have got to respect the law.
You want to eliminate the Single Business Tax, which would result in the loss of $1.9 billion in revenue. How would you make that up?
The majority of that has to come from a business-based tax. But right, that tax is a jobs killer. We should have a simple, effective business-based tax to pick up a majority of what revenue is lost, combined with cost reductions and savings so that we end up with net tax reduction.
Will you spell out what that will be?
You’re dealing with a highly complex calculation and methodology. We have to come up with a tax that is either an income-based tax or a gross receipts tax. We ought to look outside Michigan.
You’ve talked about capping the gasoline tax (when the price at the pumps hits) $1.95 a gallon. There are estimates that will cost the schools $200 million. How will you make up for that?
When you say “cost” what do you mean cost? This is money they might get. This is money they weren’t expecting. This is government speak. Cost to me is they will get less than was planned. I don’t think that’s going to happen.
You are on the record as opposing the anti-affirmative action ballot proposal on the ballot. How do you feel about the affirmative action policy at the University of Michigan?
My goal continues to be that that becomes completely unnecessary. If you would like to have a school-based preference, that’s fine. These kids need some help to get on the ladder at colleges and universities. Dealing with the issue of affirmative action is the symptom and not the problem. The problem is too many minority kids are not receiving a high-quality education. Until I can be assured that every child in Michigan has at least access to a high-quality education, then we have to be willing to help overcome those differentials.
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