CJ Q&A: Answers from Lt. Gov. John Cherry

Lt. Gov John Cherry is "receptive" to the idea of calling a constitutional convention, plans to balance the state's budget through cuts, not taxes, and is not related to hockey commentator Don Cherry. Those answers to your questions and more below the jump.

The delay, referenced in an earlier post, was apparently due to Cherry's communications director leaving for a job in Seattle. Here are Cherry's responses in full:

1 - Are you receptive to calling a constitutional convention in 2010 as the current constitution will prompt? Further, at such a con-con, would you:

A. Support changing legislative term limits that lead to inexperience and bumbling around;
B. Support removing the state's ultra restrictive anti-civil union law that chase wealthy citizens out of the state; or
C. Support reforming the process by which referenda and initiatives are able to be placed on the ballot, thereby bringing stability to the state constitution?

While I have not wrestled with the question of calling a constitutional convention in 2010 nor decided how I would vote on that question, I would be receptive to a serious discussion on the possible merits of a constitutional convention. It is clear to me that term limits have seriously impaired the legislature’s ability to deal with controversial questions. Additionally, I do not believe the Michigan Constitution should ban civil unions.

In the final analysis, I would have to balance the concern about the ability to weigh specific language of ballot questions vs. the concern with opening up the entire document without foreknowledge of how each of these questions would be resolved. I would also note that a constitutional convention would be expensive.  There would have to be elections throughout the state to elect delegates.  And the cost of running a convention would be like paying for a second legislature with a total cost of between $50 and $100 million per year. 

2 - Will you run for governor in 2010? 

That is a question that I will deal with next year. Right now I intend to focus my political time and energy on electing Senator Barack Obama as the next President of the United States, and electing more Democrats throughout Michigan, including the Michigan House.

3 - How would you plan to fix Michigan's structural deficit?

Michigan has a structural deficit because the revenue growth that results from the state’s tax structure does not keep up with the inflationary pressures within the currently budgeted expenditures. Mathematically, the answer to the question is straightforward. We can choose to either increase revenue, reduce expenditures, or a combination of the two. Last year, we chose the combination approach.

That approach had the effect of balancing the annual budget, and – in part – reducing the structural deficit. In fact, even in the face of strong economic headwinds, over the past five years significant progress has been made in reducing Michigan's structural deficit.

However, the structural problems in the state’s budget have not been eliminated. As we face future budgets, I do not believe that we can resort to revenue increases to reduce the structural deficit. That means our budget strategy has to be on the spending side. I would propose that we continue to put in place reforms that reduce the cost of present programming, and even eliminate those programs that are no longer supported by our collective priorities. In areas where we have achieved a consensus that demands greater investment such as education, we will have to confine our budget increases to the natural growth in our tax structure.

4 - Are you related to Don Cherry, and if so is that why a Canadian-American chose you as her lieutenant?

Not that I am aware of. My Cherry ancestors were Scots-Irish emigrants to the American colonies back in the early 1700’s. I have no idea as to the ancestry of Don Cherry. Thankfully we don't appear to share any genes when it comes to fashion. (Editor's note: Lt. Gov. John Cherry is pictured on the left, Hockey Night in Canada's Don Cherry is to the right.)

Regardless, though, I believe the Governor selected me as her running mate in 2002 because of my legislative experience and accomplishments. I was delighted when she chose to include me on her ticket again in 2006.

5 - If you were to become governor, either by election or otherwise, can you name one tangible way that you would differ from her? Is there any one program or idea of hers you'd be sure to continue?

I share the Governor’s vision and agenda for rebuilding Michigan’s economy. One of the cornerstones of that strategy is the emphasis on increasing the number of individuals in the workforce with post-secondary credentials whether they are the result of a technical education, a community college degree, or a degree from a four year college or university. The Cherry Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth, which the Governor asked me to chair, was charged with developing strategies to accomplish just that. We have put forward a number of initiatives to advance those recommendations: the Michigan Promise Scholarship, No Worker Left Behind Program, replacement of the MEAP test by the ACT test, implementation of more strenuous curriculum and graduation requirements in the K-12 system, increases in the number of students dually enrolled in both high school and college, and the proposed Promise Zone legislation.

Additionally, the Governor has successfully recruited a significant number of businesses from other states and countries to locate here in Michigan creating thousands of jobs. Our 21^st Century Jobs fund has been a catalyst for commercializing research and development occurring in Michigan, creating the largest tourism promotion in Michigan’s history, stimulating a new alternative energy sector for our state economy, and expanding the availability of venture capital in Michigan—all of which have created jobs for Michigan’s new economy. I would continue all of that.

My primary difference with the Governor would only be one of emphasis. My legislative career focused on issues of conservation, and that would serve as a personal passion for me. I believe that our Great Lakes and our inland watersheds will serve to shape Michigan’s future. Their health will be critical to our economy and the tourism that rests on their beauty and the recreation they offer in the way of boating, fishing, and hunting. That means the environmental health and recreational potential of the Great Lakes must be closely guarded. Consequently, I would focus a great deal of time and energy to that cause. In that light, I congratulate the Governor and the Legislature for enacting new water protections and for ratifying the Great Lakes Compact.

Reminder: Get your questions in for the next edition of Capitol Journal Q&A, featuring Senate Minority Leader and 7th District congressional candidate Mark Schauer. You can put your questions in this thread here.

Comments

[Kevin]

I was really hoping to see an answer to my question... I got it in WAY in time... Very disappointed...

[Michael Motta]

Hehehe I'm pleasantly surprised that my Don Cherry question made it! I guess my angle that there's usually some kind of icebreaker freako question thrown in someplace worked out!

Thanks Derek!

For the record, I'd prefer something in between the fashion senses of the two Cherrys. John looks like he's posing for one of those realtor photos. Don is like "hey man, I'm already a legend - I can wear whatever I want!"

[Bob]

Thanks for the opportunity, Derek, and thanks to the Lt. Governor for taking the time to answer.

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