By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
Mackinac Island, MI – Mackinac Island, MI (MPRN) - Several of Michigan's gubernatorial candidates faced off for the first time on Mackinac Island last night.
Nearly all of the candidates said they would refuse to sign a pledge promising not to raise taxes. But Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox said he never supported tax hikes as attorney general and never would as governor.
Congressman Pete Hoekstra said Michigan is in too deep into a budget crisis to take any options for revenue off the table.
The candidates were also asked if they would sell the governor's mansion on Mackinac if they were elected. Most of the panel said "no," because selling the property wouldn't change the state's budget crisis.
But Congressman Pete Hoekstra says he would sell the house.
Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land said the property is an asset for the state. Land said she'd entertain the idea of turning the home over to Michigan's parks system to make it open to the public.