Two Democrats and three Republicans are seeking their party’s nomination for the 35th District state Senate seat in the Aug. 3 Primary Election.

The seat, currently occupied by state Sen. Michelle McManus (R-Lake Leelanau), must open because term limits prevent her from seeking re-election.

Roger Dunigan of Elmwood Township and George Huffman III of Remus are seeking the Democratic nomination for the 6-year seat.

Dunigan is a former Roman Catholic priest, and is retired as chief executive officer of Great Lakes Community Mental Health in Traverse City.

The three candidates seeking the GOP nomination are state Rep. Darwin L. Booher (R-Evart) of the 102nd House district, retired state conservation officer Kevin Davis of Rapid City, and Wexford County Sheriff Gary Finstrom.

Following are answers to questions posed to the candidates by the Enterprise. Huffman did not provide a photo of himself.

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES

1.) The level of funding provided to local school districts has for several cycles been the biggest story generated by the budget process in Lansing. How much more money is needed to “fix” education in Michigan? (75 words maximum)

Dunigan: The last few years, the Legislature has balanced the state budget on the backs of students and teachers. According to the House Fiscal Agency, the minimum to keep funding levels prior to FY 10 state aid cut, between $850 million to $1 billion more revenue is needed. Then we have the issue of the wide discrepancy in per-pupil funding. For education enhancement, it is $500 million more. These amounts will begin to “fix” education.

Huffman: Zero dollars is needed to fix education to our schools. The problem lies in using the available funding efficiently. Cut waste by making our building more efficient, solar panels to reduce utility costs. Make building repairs work the first time, not Band-Aid fixes that need to be repeated year after year. Hold our educators accountable and utilize excess land that most schools have by turning into revenue for the school.

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2.) Will you vote in the Nov. 2 General Election in support of holding a state convention to rewrite the Michigan Constitution? (50 words maximum)

Dunigan: I will not vote for holding a state convention to rewrite the Michigan Constitution. The process is way too expensive, would take a long time and would be a distraction from the many serious problems facing our state. The first priority is to deal with the deficit and the economy.

Huffman: I will vote to hold a state convention to rewrite our Michigan Constitution. Times change, our Constitution should be kept up to date and current. Keep our basic principles, remove outdated items, and include improvements. Our Constitution should be reviewed at least every decade.

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3.) For nearly a decade now legislative decisions have been made by a Republican-controlled state Senate, Democratic-controlled state House, and a Democratic governor. What has been good about this “shared” control? What has not been good? (50 words maximum)

Dunigan: This last decade, shared control between governor, House and Senate has not worked well because of extreme partisanship and unwillingness to compromise. Party agendas were often placed above the agenda of the people and what was best for the state. We need legislators who can work together for the common good.

Huffman: I feel there has not been much good; the bad is more prominent. All parties need to work together at all levels to achieve what is best for the citizens of Michigan. That is what the people elect us to do; Michigan residents are very disappointed and frustrated.

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4.) Do you believe it would be prudent to repeal the 22 percent surcharge placed on the state business tax two years ago? (50 words maximum)

Dunigan: The “surcharge” needs to be immediately eliminated, along with additional phased reductions in the MBT gross receipts tax rate. The inclusion of sales and other taxes in the base of the MBT greatly harm retail establishments – from small grocers and restaurants to RV sales and service centers.

Huffman: Yes, I do believe that it should be repealed. The surcharge in the end rolls down to the consumers who are already struggling. It make it difficult for small business to stay in business, and new businesses to start.

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5.) Which are you more concerned about, economic or environmental issues? (50 words maximum)
Dunigan: This question is like asking which one of my children do I love most. I am very concerned about both the economy and environment because they are intrinsically intertwined. If economy is faltering, we do not have resources to protect environment. Environment in northern Michigan is critical to our economy.

Huffman: I am more concerned with environmental issues. If we do not take care of our planet now, which is the ultimate source of our economy, there will be no economic issue.

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES

1.) The level of funding provided to local school districts has for several cycles been the biggest story generated by the budget process in Lansing. How much more money is needed to “fix” education in Michigan? (75 words maximum)

Booher: In the last 10 years we have added nearly $2 billion in funding our schools. There isn’t a magic dollar amount that will fix our schools. The state provides the funding to schools from 13 revenue streams and nearly 25 percent of the state budget is dedicated to K-12 funding. School boards then set budgets and spending for their own district. Revenues will increase when we put people back to work.

Davis: Two elements are deeply flawed with the education budget process and must be addressed. First, the state education budget needs to have a mandatory legislative completion date prior to June 1st on an annual basis; second, per-pupil funding must be equalized for all students no matter where they live in the state. I have vowed not to support any legislation without equal per-pupil funding statewide.

Finstrom: More money is not needed to “fix” education in Michigan. The problem with the funding levels, is that legislators in the last days to get the state budget approved, usually reduce the level of funding, after June 30, when the schools have submitted their budgets. The answer is to implement a two-year state budget, so that schools will know the level of funding they will receive.

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2.) Will you vote in the Nov. 2 General Election in support of holding a state convention to rewrite the Michigan Constitution? (50 words maximum)

Booher: No. As we amend our Constitution by ballot proposals all of the public is informed about how “we the people” are changing our state Constitution verses opening the entire Constitution and making many changes that we do not want. The estimated price for the Constitutional Convention is $40 million.

Davis: Yes, I will vote in support of holding a Michigan Constitution Convention. I believe there are several issues which need to be addressed.

Finstrom: I will not vote to support a state convention to rewrite the Michigan Constitution. My position is that there are a number of good statutes and provisions in our Constitution that could be lost with minimal gain, if our Constitution is allowed to be opened.

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3.) For nearly a decade now legislative decisions have been made by a Republican-controlled state Senate, Democratic-controlled state House, and a Democratic governor. What has been good about this “shared” control? What has not been good? (50 words maximum)

Booher: Shared power can be valuable in tempering extreme ideology on both sides of the political aisle. Unfortunately, shared power has been more of an impediment to the critically necessary than to the extreme. For example, shared power has stood in the way of smaller government.

Davis: Michigan is a state of diverse people, places, interests and concerns which requires diverse representation. Unfortunately, the legislators and governors of the last decade have done a miserable job of “working together” and serving the people by recognizing their “shared responsibility” to facilitate cooperative representation.

Finstrom: The good and the bad are the same. Our current legislators have drawn a line in the sand and will not reach across parties lines. The goal of any elected official should be to serve all of their constituents to the best of his or her abilities, and to represent the best interests of the majority of those represented.

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4.) Do you believe it would be prudent to repeal the 22 percent surcharge placed on the state business tax two years ago? (50 words maximum)

Booher: I voted against the both the MBT and the MBT surcharge. We need to repeal the surcharge now to help our business reinvest in job creation instead of taxes to the state. We can cover the loss of revenue to the state by oversight and accountability.

Davis: I believe repeal is absolutely required. Michigan businesses are struggling to survive. These same businesses are job providers. As Michigan businesses’ ability to operate competitively on a global basis is diminished, residents will continue to lose jobs. The MBT surcharge was ill conceived and a last minute “fix.”

Finstrom: Everything in Michigan today is dependent on jobs and employment. In order for Michigan to get back on track, state government must create an environment that business and industry can and will want to grow in Michigan and the 22 percent surcharge must be removed.

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5.) Which are you more concerned about, economic or environmental issues? (50 words maximum)
Booher: Both are important to the State of Michigan. Our regulation structure must be friendly to businesses in a way that will encourage job growth while also protecting our natural resources that inspire tourism and recreation which are vital to northern Michigan.

Davis: As a retired Michigan Conservation Officer, I believe the two are very closely associated but not sacrificial to each other. Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environment are a large part of Michigan’s Economic Foundation in many ways. I offer a unique blend of experience and knowledge regarding both economic and environmental issues.

Finstrom: With all of the natural resources that we have in northwest Michigan, everything must be done to protect them. I believe that the economy can be developed without impacting our natural resources. Our environment and natural resources cannot be replaced.