McCann says funding for education is a top priority for him in the state Legislature. He says Michigan needs to grow its middle class. But McCann says the Legislature has not moved in that direction since he was elected to the state House in 2010.
Education
Asked where he would get more money for education, McCann says the school aid fund has been raided for “other purposes.” He says a “loophole” or poor interpretation of the Proposal A tax reform of the 1990’s is shifting some of that money to higher education. McCann says he would not take money away from colleges and universities. He says the state needs a tax policy that’s more fair.
Taxes
Questioned about details for a tax overhaul, McCann says the state is running a surplus and should give tax relief to the middle-class. He says people having more money in their pocket would help boos the economy.
Roads
McCann says the Legislature should have passed a plan to fund the state’s roads instead of adjourning for the summer. McCann says if the gas tax is going to be increased, there should also be relief for lower-income people. He says that could include restoring the homestead property tax credit and the earned income tax credit. McCann says a final deal will require compromise and accepting something they may not like in the final bill.
Right to Work
Michigan’s “right to work” law was approved in late 2012, McCann and other Democrats opposed the change. He says there is little evidence of jobs being created by the new policy. McCann says it’s an example of a policy that’s “holding Michigan back, more than it’s advancing it.”
Job Creation
McCann says Michigan’s tax policy doesn't tie tax relief for businesses to job creation. He says middle-class people are paying more in taxes while corporations are getting a break from the state. McCann says he's not convinced that tax relief for businesses has led to more jobs in Michigan.
Partisanship
The new 20th state Senate district is made up of Kalamazoo County McCann says it’s a moderate district. He says the district needs someone who is willing to work across the political aisle to reach compromise because the voters demand it.
Discussion of other issues can be heard in the web version of the interview.
Minimum Wage
The legislature approved an increase in the minimum wage during the summer as signatures were being gathered for a ballot proposal that would have raised it higher. McCann supported the legislation. He says it included indexing the minimum wage to inflation to keep the issue from coming up every couple of years. He says the ideal minimum wage would allow people to be self-sufficient without government assistance. McCann says he thinks Michigan "is close" with the new minimum wage.
Pension Tax
McCann says he would work to repeal the change which allows pension income to be taxed. He says people worked and retired under a set of assumptions that were then changed. McCann says it amounts to a tax increase, but didn't result in an increase in funding to areas such as education
Redistricting
One issue McCann has pushed is changing the way districts are drawn for state Legislature and Congress. Currently it's the job of the Legislature. McCann says an independent commission should be in charge of the process. He says the current system leads to "gerrymandering," - districts drawn for political purposes and lead to uncompetitive races. McCann says his proposal is a hybrid of what other states have done to reform redistricting.
Other Government Reforms
McCann says term limits have not been good for Michigan's government. McCann would prefer no term limits, but says he's willing to work on a compromise for longer terms. He says a part-time Legislature would skew power to the executive branch and make it harder for people to serve as a state lawmaker. McCann says not many people have a job that allows them to also serve in the Legislature.
Social Issues
Michigan has yet to act on changing the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act to add protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. McCann says he would support the change, and says "it's overdue." On marijuana legalization and decriminalization, McCann says he wants to examine what happens in states such as Washington and Colorado where marijuana has been legalized for recreational purposes.
