Snyder For Governor (R)
We believe Rick Snyder is the best choice to lead Michigan for the next four years. Among other things, Snyder recognizes the importance of education and advocates focusing on what he calls “P-20,” saying we should be looking at early childhood through lifelong learning. He has promised to render support to Detroit.
He calls for a version of the Michigan Promise Grant that is more need-based financial aid, and that we should define need more broadly than we do today.
Snyder’s plans regarding education also entail asking the state’s public colleges and universities to be more efficient by, for example, hiring students to rake leaves at a good per-hour rate, rather than have four adult men — making what Snyder estimated was $80,000 each — do it, as he saw at one university.
Snyder also hopes to have a constructive relationship with the Obama administration, but said most of his focus would be on Michigan issues. He makes a good point about the state needing to get its act together before it comments too much about what needs to be at the federal level.
He also recognizes the importance of getting the state’s congressional delegation to work better together.
Snyder’s 10 point plan — which includes creating more and better jobs, reforming the tax system, restoring cities, and keeping our youth in the state — shows that he has a blueprint for where he believes the state should go over the next four years. No doubt some changes may end up being made over the next four years, but Snyder’s plan is at least a place to start.
When asked if he identified himself as a moderate Republican, Snyder refused to label himself, saying labels are a problem, and that we need to get over the labels and get the job done.
“I want to solve problems,” he told the Chronicle, “not be called something.”
Perhaps there is too much of a focus on labels — Republican. Democrat. Liberal. Conservative. And certainly partisan politics and negative campaigning are nothing new, but Snyder is right that the true focus needs to be on solving Michigan’s problems. He told the Chronicle that smart people are out there on all sides of these issues, and that there’s power in diversity.
If those words prove to be more than empty platitudes, Michigan should be in good hands under a Snyder administration.
Benson For Secretary of State (D)
The secretary of state’s office is possibly the most important state-wide office, so far as the average citizen is concerned. Most people do not have direct interaction with the governor, the attorney general or the state legislature, but the secretary of state interacts with people in myriad ways. The secretary of state not only issues drivers licenses and license plates, but also oversees elections. Therefore, we need the best possible person for the job.
In our opinion, Jocelyn Benson is that best person. Benson, a Wayne State University Law School professor who teaches election law, recognizes that because of the office’s role in overseeing elections, the secretary of state must remain above the fray, and has taken a vow of non-partisanship. She would crack down on campaign finances and money in politics to root out corruption; and crack down on any voter fraud or deceptive practices. A partisan secretary of state would be hard-pressed to accomplish either goal.
Benson would also look into the current practice of requiring people to provide their Social Security numbers when getting or renewing their licenses, to make sure it’s not being misused. She acknowledged both the need to work with the federal government to make sure records are as accurate as possible, and the need to respect citizens’ privacy.
She would also make voter registration easier by having mobile branch offices that would go to the people, rather than require them to come to a secretary of state branch office.
Benson would implement a policy that would make a 16- or 17-year-old who gets his or her license for the first time automatically eligible to vote upon turning 18, unless he or she opts out. She would also enable people with a driver’s license or state ID card to register to vote online, and would work with the legislature to enable “no reason need be given” absentee voting.
Given the abysmal voter turnout in most elections, making voter registration easier is a step in the right direction.
Benson would add mandatory random audits to a small percentage of the optical scan machines throughout the state. While stating the machines are the most secure option, she said these mandatory random audits will help ensure an accurate.
For these reasons — and more — we endorse Jocelyn Benson.
Morris For Supreme Court (D)
A better time could not come for Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Denise Langford Morris, an exceptional and vibrant legal mind who fully understands that the scales of justice must be balanced.
After years of protecting victims of domestic abuse and fighting to ensure justice for all, Morris, now is vying for a seat on the most important state court, the Michigan Supreme Court.
We support Langford Morris’ bid to sit on the state’s highest court because she has demonstrated time and again that the law should be used fairly no matter who is answering to the charges in court. Her legal experience spans across decades of aiding disabled adults and fighting for seniors.
As the first African American circuit court judge in Oakland County, and the first female on the bench, Morris brings a wide range of experience with her. We believe her background and deep knowledge of the law and how it ought to be interpreted fairly, and not for political expediency, makes her qualified to become our next justice on the Supreme Court.
Morris received her juris doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She has extensive trial experience, including civil and criminal, state and federal, as a private practitioner, assistant Oakland County prosecutor, and assistant United States attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Judge Denise Langford Morris has presided over voluminous criminal cases including many with high profile defendants such as Dr. Jack Kevorkian and hip-hop star Eminem. She also handles extensive complex civil litigation in the fourth wealthiest county in America, including multimillion dollar land and contract disputes involving major corporations.
Schuette For Attorney General (R)
Attorney general candidate Bill Schuette has vowed to maintain the record of consumer protection that has been a hallmark
of the office since Frank Kelley’s tenure.
Perhaps now, more than ever, with scam artists taking advantage of the economic doldrums, we need consumer protection enforcement.
He would make sure businesses adhere to the state’s statutes, and that citizens are protected from scam artists.
Schuette, who has been a congressman, state senator, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and a judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals, also recognizes the importance of working across party lines.
He has said he sould seek out advice from one or more of his three predecessors — Kelley, Jennifer Granholm and Mike Cox — if necessary.
“Frankly, it’s only if you’re insecure, and you lack confidence, that you don’t seek the advice and counsel of those who served in other positions of responsibility,” he told the Chronicle.
“I think it would be stupid of me not to ask Frank Kelley, Jennifer Granholm or Mike Cox their advice, and I’ll be a good listener.”
Schuette said releasing dangerous criminals when there are fewer cops on the streets is an equation that jeopardizes the safety of Michigan families; and that for us to get more paychecks in Detroit and more jobs in Southeast Michigan we need to have safe and secure communities.
Schuette favors focusing on running Michigan’s prisons more efficiently, saying Michigan’s cost per prisoner per year is $38,000, while Ohio’s is $26,000 and in Texas it is $15,000.
The Chronicle also supports Bill Schuette because of his willingness to aggressively work with attorneys general across the country to try to encourage Washington to stop the incursion of invasive Asian carp into the Great Lakes.