Washtenaw: Governor

The Michigan Messenger posts a report from Democratic state Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith’s June 29 kick-off for her gubernatorial campaign: “Her stand makes her likely the only Michigan leader proposing to take head-on equal funding for schools. The state per-pupil funding is three fifths what many wealthy suburbs get, and schools are being closed dozens at a time. ‘We need a skilled and educated workforce to bring businesses and industries to Michigan that will provide well-paying jobs for everyone,’ she said. …Smith said she knows that her plans will need more money. ‘I believe we need a graduated income tax,’ she announced. ‘I am not going into this campaign demanding cuts in the state budget.’” Smith’s district covers the eastern part of Washtenaw County. [Source]