MI Political Week in Review

The Race for Governor

• There was more shuffling of the candidate lineup this week. Just a few days after forming an exploratory committee, former State Treasurer Bob Bowman announced that he would NOT be making a run for Governor. Former Genesee County Treasurer Dan Kildee (who’s connection to controversial filmmaker Michael Moore generated attention earlier this week) is still considering a run; State Senator Alma Wheeler Smith and Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero are the only announced Democratic candidates.
• In addition to the five announced GOP candidates (Cox, Hoekstra, Snyder, Bouchard, and George), a new and virtually unknown candidate joined the lineup this week. Oakland County businessman David Kniffen officially announced his candidacy.
• Republican Gubernatorial candidate and self-proclaimed nerd Rick Snyder is launching a new ad campaign, and he is asking the public to head to his campaign website and cast a vote for which one of two potential ads they would like to see aired. Apparently he is a nerd and a populist. Snyder, the only currently viable candidate who has never before run for public office, has taken some heat lately from groups accusing him of outsourcing jobs during his tenure as CEO of Gateway computer company. Whether it’s positive or negative, this previously unknown candidate is starting to generate some attention.
• Detroit Public Television and the nonpartisan Center for Michigan are working in partnership with other trade groups around the state to sponsor Great Debates 2010 during this year’s election cycle. This will include two hour long debates before the August primary, and another debate before the general election in November.
• In the spirit of keeping up with the candidates, here is a brief look at each candidate’s position on taxes in Michigan.

Did you know?

With all of this candidate shuffling, it’s hard to say at this point whose name will actually show up on the ballot in November. One thing we do know that will be on the ballot - a proposal to hold a Michigan Constitutional Convention. What does this mean? Every 16 years, Michigan voters are given the opportunity to vote for a constitutional convention. If Proposal 1 passes, 148 delegates (one from each of Michigan’s 110 House Districts and 38 Senate Districts) would be elected to assess and amend Michigan’s constitution as they see fit. The convention could choose to leave the constitution in its current state, or rewrite it completely. There hasn’t been a constitutional convention since 1962, but with the current climate of frustration with lawmakers in Lansing, this could be the year when Michiganders call for a real government overhaul.

The Cox Carp Tour 2010!

Attorney General (and gubernatorial candidate) Mike Cox is holding a series of townhalls throughout the state to discuss the Asian Carp crisis. There were meetings in Traverse City and St. Joseph this past week, and there will be one in Grand Rapids this coming Monday. See below for more info:

Asian Carp Update Meeting, With Congressman Vern Ehlers

Monday February 22, 2010

10:00 – 11:00 am

Gerald Ford Museum Auditorium

303 Pearl Street NW

Grand Rapids, MI

(616) 254-0400

VP Biden likes our solar panels!

Vice President Joe Biden was in Michigan this past Tuesday. He visited several locations in and around Saginaw to discuss how last year’s stimulus act has benefited Michigan. As part of his tour, he stopped by the Hemlock Semiconductor plant. The plant received $141.8 million in federal energy tax credits, to produce solar panel materials. It's an excellent investment, as far as we’re concerned.

In Lansing...

Governor Jennifer Granholm released her 2010 Executive Budget last Thursday, and the House Fiscal Agency released their assessment of said budget this past Tuesday. You can read their review of the budget here. Also, stay tuned for Michigan LCV’s assessment of what this year’s budget means for natural resource protection in our state.