In today’s Labor Voices section of the Detroit News Michigan AFL-CIO President Karla Swift laid out the logic behind the State Federation’s endorsements of Mark Schauer for Governor, and Congressman Gary Peters for United States Senate.
Here are some highlights from President Swift’s Op-Ed:
On the Michigan AFL-CIO’s endorsement of Mark Schauer:
“Last Sunday’s debate between Mark Schauer and Gov. Rick Snyder offered a clear contrast on taxes, education, roads and other key issues.
The discussion confirmed what the working men and women of the Michigan AFL-CIO found when we evaluated Rick Snyder’s four-year track record. As Schauer pointed out on Sunday night, the incumbent’s “tough choices” are always tough on the wrong people. Soon after taking office, Snyder raised taxes by $1.4 billion on Michigan workers, including the first-ever tax on retiree pensions in Michigan history.
Parents and homeowners are also paying higher taxes. So is everyone else. Snyder and the GOP legislature raised the state income tax rate, which applies to everyone who earns a wage or salary.
But rich CEOs and wealthy corporations are paying $1.7 billion less; the governor gave them an across-the-board tax cut. Snyder promised that cutting taxes for business would create jobs — but that didn’t happen.”
From our endorsement of Gary Peter’s:
“In the race for U.S. Senate, Gary Peters has a clear, impressive track record. During three terms in Congress, Peters has been a champion for Michigan’s auto industry. He fought against wasteful spending, opposed a congressional pay raise, and managed his office budget so carefully that he actually returned $500,000 to the U.S. Treasury.
Peters’ opponent, Terri Lynn Land, is ducking debates and won’t give many interviews — maybe because her positions are so hard to defend. She backed Mitt Romney, opposing help for Michigan’s auto industry. Her stance would have cost one million American jobs and wrecked the Michigan economy.
Land also opposes equal pay for equal work, claiming women have a “different lifestyle” and that we’re “more interested in flexibility on a job than pay.” Here’s a news flash: In the 21st century, men and women want family-friendly jobs. Regardless of gender, we all want to be treated fairly — and paid fairly — for the work we do.
To read the full article click here.
