Bernero, Snyder Talk Cities

October 21, 2010

MIRS - Michigan's two gubernatorial candidates agree on one thing. State government doesn't have all of the answers.

"Its (the state's) role shouldn't be to run the cities," said Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick SNYDER. "It needs to be a partner."

"Instead of it being from Lansing . . . from the top-down, I think we have a lot of talented people at the local level," said Democratic gubernatorial nominee Virg BERNERO, the mayor of Lansing.

The candidates also agreed that transportation and regional cooperation were key elements needed if Michigan's cities are to recover.

The gubernatorial hopefuls were on the "Prosperity Agenda" radio show tonight on Detroit radio station 760 WJR. The show is sponsored by the Michigan Municipal League (MML) and the Michigan State Housing Association (MSHA).

Dan GILMARTIN of MML moderated the forum, which was divided into separate Snyder and Bernero sessions.

Snyder's session came first.

He opened by agreeing with Gilmartin that resurrecting Michigan's cities would be a vital part of bringing the state back to prosperity.

"We need to rebuild our cities," Snyder said. "We're losing a lot of young people. We need to provide the opportunity for a great urban experience."

Snyder said he sees the state's role in revitalizing local communities as one in which it should help where and when it can.

"It (the state) can help make them more efficient," Snyder said. "We can help provide a better quality of life with schools and public safety. We need to be a facilitator. We need to help eliminate barriers and obstacles. We need to help people communicate but make sure it's not just government people talking together.'

Snyder touted his Ann Arbor Spark program as an example of what he feels is needed.

However, as he does in most of his appearances, Snyder made a statement about changing government's "spender" role.

"Government's approach in the past has been to just say 'We've got some funding so let's go spend,'" Snyder said. "We need to first discuss what outcomes and results we want and then determine the cost."

"The impetus out of Lansing is just spending money," Snyder continued. "That has to change."

When Gilmartin welcomed Bernero onto the show, he pointed out that the Lansing mayor had been a frequent guest since January.

Bernero pointed out that not only was he a mayor, but his running mate Brenda LAWRENCE was Mayor of Southfield.

"Imagine having two mayors in Lansing to assist you," Bernero said. "I call (the ticket) 'Main Street Mayors for Michigan.'"

Bernero touted his "Make It In Michigan For Free" proposal to allow companies that locate in some abandoned and dilapidated buildings in Michigan to avoid taxes on the properties for 10 to 12 years.

Gilmartin brought up the fact that Kiplingers has listed Lansing among the top 10 cities in the country for young people to locate.

Bernero thanked him for the plug and then explained his view on making a city an attractive place for the young and talented.

"It starts with economic opportunity," Bernero said. "Without economic opportunity, about their junior year in school they'll decide to go somewhere else."

"We need to make sure there is capital available for small business," Bernero continued. "We've got to stop sending our money to Wall Street. Wall Street banks are taking most of our money and sending it to other states and even to other countries. They're redlining Michigan."

At times, Bernero seemed on the verge of resurrecting the Cool Cities idea from the early years of the Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM administration.

"When we were younger we wanted to get a car," Bernero said. "But now young people want to live in cities where they don't need a car."

"We've got to engineer our communities to be cool places to live," Bernero said. "But that involves investment and capital. We need to provide incentives for start-ups, like my idea for a (business) incubation center. Then we can do the cool city stuff."

Both Bernero and Snyder said that Michigan would not be able to experience significant economic gains unless an improved Detroit was part of the equation.

"Anybody who thinks we can move the state forward without helping Detroit is kidding themselves."

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