Whitmer, Dixon Tout Education, Economic Platforms At Detroit Business Forum

Ken Coleman

Oct. 21

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and GOP gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon on Friday offered their ideas on increasing K-12 student achievement, expanding workforce development, bringing more businesses to Michigan and creating more small business growth.

The candidates, who will face off on Nov. 8, did separate Detroit Economic Club interviews at the Motor City Casino in Detroit.

Whitmer touted her initiative to increase the number of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree from 49% today to 60% by 2030, Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities and four balanced budgets.

“We’ve been really focused on rebuilding an economy that is built to last, to be nimble and to grow and also ensuring that we have the workforce to do the jobs,” said Whitmer.

Dixon pledged to preserve Line 5, the long-embattled oil pipeline in the Great Lakes, as she’s argued that it’s important to meet the state’s energy needs. Whitmer did not speak to Line 5 during her interview, but has taken action to try and shut down the nearly 70-year-old pipeline over environmental concerns.

Dixon also reiterated her plan to phase out the state income tax, reduce regulation by 40% and called for a “gas tax holiday.”

“That’s something that we need to take a look at — immediately,” said Dixon. “Michigan has some of the highest gas prices in the country.”

Michigan ranked 10th in the nation in gas prices at the pump, according to a recent AAA report. It trailed California, Oregon, Alaska, Nevada, Washington state, Hawaii, Arizona, Idaho and Illinois.

Dixon blasted Whitmer’s record on education, citing a recent 2022 Kids Count Data Book report that has charted Michigan 32nd overall out of 50 states, a slide from 2021’s ranking of 28, and a return to where the state ranked in 2020.

“I want to make sure that we are funding our students and not our systems,” said Dixon. “Make sure that dollars are following the child and getting our children back on track.”

Both Whitmer and Dixon agreed on providing more tutoring programs for school age children and helping to make higher education affordable.

When asked what would she do to bring more businesses to Michigan, Whitmer pledged to recruit businesses from neighboring states that provide abortion services, referring to the post-Roe v. Wade environment where abortion is banned in many states. On Nov. 8, voters will decide Proposal 3, an abortion rights constitutional amendment.

“If we enshrine reproductive rights into law here in Michigan, I want to go into Indiana and Ohio and start stealing headquarters, and cultivating talent, and go to Purdue [University] and talk to every woman who wants to be an engineer and Ohio State and bring them here to Michigan where you can have full rights to make your own decision about your body and have a great job,” said Whitmer.

Dixon, who opposes abortion rights, did not mention abortion in her responses. When the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision came out in June overturning Roe v. Wade Dixon issued a statement in favor of the ruling. Dixon does not support abortion exceptions for rape, incest or the mother’s health.

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