By Rick Pluta
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-924495.mp3
Grand Rapids, MI – Democratic nominee for governor Virg Bernero and Republican nominee Rick Snyder found a lot to agree about in separate appearances Friday before business leaders in Grand Rapids. They oppose tax hikes to deal with the state's budget troubles and think there's room for more consolidation in state and local governments.
Snyder says he would scrap Michigan's current business tax and replace it with a six percent corporate income tax.
"We need to move from a job-killer tax environment to a job-creation tax environment, simple, fair, and efficient," says Snyder.
Snyder is a former Gateway CEO and venture capitalist.
Bernero, the mayor of Lansing, told the forum he would enlist the advice of businesspeople as part of reforming the Michigan Business Tax.
Bernero says, "I understand, you have to make money. It has to be profitable. It has to make sense for you to be in Michigan, and I want to work with you to make that happen, and I know how government works."
Bernero says he's proven he can face down public employee unions. He won the Democratic primary with significant union support.