2022 Michigan Governor Voters Guide
Tudor Dixon (R) vs Gretchen Whitmer (D)
The Candidates
Ban. “I am pro-life. My only exception is to protect the life of the mother,” (no exceptions for rape or incest). There’s “healing through (the) baby” of a rape victim. “Those voices, the babies of rape victims that have come forward, are very powerful when you hear their story.”
No position found.
Yes. Climate change has hit state with effects “from a polar vortex and historic floods to dam breaks and week-long power outages.” Signed an order to make state carbon-neutral by 2050. In 2022 released a plan to create infrastructure for 2 million electric vehicles, cut emissions from homes and businesses by 17%, and generate 60% of electricity from renewables by 2030.
Yes. Will “allow families to use the state’s per-pupil funding amount on public, private, charter, virtual, or homeschooling options.” Supports publicly funded $1,000 scholarships that families can use to pay for private tutoring.
No. Vetoed two bills that would give tax breaks to contributors to a scholarship program that could be used for private school tuition. “Our schools cannot provide… high-quality education… if we turn private schools into tax shelters.” Proposed a public tutoring program to help students recover from pandemic learning loss.
Will protect schoolkids from “anti-American critical race theory” and “trans-supremacist ideology.” Will ban school staff from talking about sex and gender to kindergarten-3rd graders. Will “require school districts to put all curriculum and teaching materials online for parents to see.”
In 2022, created the advisory Michigan Parents’ Council “to guarantee that the voices of parents and families are at the forefront in informing education policy.” In 2020, created the Educator Advisory Council that pledged to promote policies and practices that “help put an end to systemic racism.”
Likely no. A voucher program she supported would have diverted public education funding to private schools, cutting state revenue, and potentially public school funding, by as much as $500 million in the first year.
Yes. Signed a 2022 budget that increased school funding by 15.6 percent. Said it was “the highest state per-student investment in Michigan history.” Vetoed a bill that would have cut public revenue.
No. Repeatedly held through June 2022 that Trump won Michigan and the 2020 election. Later declined to answer whether the election was stolen.
Yes. “The people… have spoken…. Biden won the State of Michigan by more than 154,000 votes, and he will be our next president.” “It was a safe, fair and secure election.”
Loosen. Will “slash 40% of Regulations in 4 Years.” Opposed shutting down aging Enbridge pipeline. “Shutting down pipelines is the Democrats’ favorite thing to do,” raising gas prices.
Tighten. Ordered aging Enbridge pipeline shut down after a state review found “unacceptable risk” of a catastrophic oil spill. Abolished an industry-dominated environment review committee. Got a bipartisan $4.8 billion water funding package.
Less. “I will not allow anyone to tear apart our 2nd Amendment.” Opposes “red-flag” laws. Supports no-permit concealed carry. Will hire more public-school armed security with funds from firing all diversity/equity staff.
More. Supports a “red flag” law that allows firearms to be temporarily taken from someone deemed a risk to themselves or others. Is open to a possible ban on assault rifles. Supports federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act “to reduce crime and gun violence.”
Mixed. Wants mental health facilities to expand and would bring more mental health and health care professionals to the state. Opposes vaccine mandates and a new law lowering Medicare costs, saying it will “raise taxes.”
Increase. Supports Healthy Michigan Plan expansion. Expanded after-birth Medicaid coverage to a full year to improve mothers’ and babies’ health, close health disparities. Supports new law letting Medicare negotiate drug costs.
Would ban sanctuary cities and make cities and local governments comply fully with federal immigration law—or face “stiff penalties.” No position found on DACA participants.
No position found.
Easier. Supports collective bargaining. “I am a pro-worker governor to the core, and I will continue to fight for working people.”
Limit. Regarding transgendered athletes, will “protect young girls from… playing “against biological boys in school sports.” Would make it a crime for an adult to bring minors to drag events. No position found on same-sex marriage.
No position found.
Legal. Supported 2018 legalization. Marijuana tax revenues let the state make bigger investments in “schools, road and first responders.”
No position found.
Raise. Has supported raising to $15, with support for small businesses. Proposed a framework for raising to $15/hour to help businesses fill jobs while boosting wages for workers.
No. In Biden plan, those who didn’t “take a loan or they’ve paid off their student loan…are now on the hook for other people’s student loan.”
Yes. Federal cancellation of “$10,000 in student debt and $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients” “will benefit up to 1.4 million Michiganders.”
Introduced a tax plan with a $500 “inflation relief” check for “working families,” relief for the working poor, and lower taxes for seniors.
We have space to include only candidates polling 15%, but check out others including Donna Brandenburg (T), Mary Buzuma (L), and Evan Space (I).
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