GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Attorney General Mike Cox has a simple formula for fixing Michigan: Cut, then cut some more.
In announcing his candidacy for governor in 2010 Wednesday, Cox underlined his plan to cut $2 billion in taxes, including $1.3 billion from the Michigan Business Tax and repeal of $700 million in personal income tax increases approved in 2007.
Cox insisted that increased revenues stimulated by the tax cuts would help Michigan close a projected 2010 budget deficit of $1.6 billion.
"When you reduce tax rates, revenue going into government actually increases," Cox said.
Cox joins a crowded field of Republicans aiming to replace Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2010. She is forced to retire by term limits.
In what promises to be the most competitive GOP gubernatorial primary in decades, Cox faces U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Holland, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land and state Sen. Tom George of Kalamazoo County's Texas Township.
Ann Arbor venture capitalist Rick Snyder is expected to announce later this summer. Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard and businessman David Brandon are also eyeing the race.
Democratic Lt. Gov. John Cherry is favored to win the Democratic primary but could be vulnerable because of Michigan's long economic slide under Granholm.
Cox faces a strong challenge from Land and particularly Hoekstra for West Michigan voters. A March poll gave Hoekstra 47 percent among West Michigan GOP voters compared to 14 percent for Cox and Land.
Cox professed not to be worried.
"I'll just do what I've been doing, going to West Michigan once or twice a week. If they are both still in the race, I will win the primary and I will win the general election."
Cox, 47, was elected attorney general in 2002, the first Republican to win the post in nearly half a century. He formerly worked for the Oakland and Wayne County prosecutors' offices.
In an exclusive interview with The Press, Cox:
• Rejected Granholm's proposal to change Michigan's flat 19-cent levy on each gallon of gas to a fixed percentage of the wholesale price. It would raise more money as gas prices rise.
"I wouldn't do that," Cox said.
Cox proposed that part of Michigan's 6 percent tax on gasoline be allocated for roads instead.
• Pushed for more nuclear and coal plants.
"I think we ought to aim to be the energy capital of America," Cox said.
"Nuclear is one way we could be more competitive in the long run. In the long run, that's a way to diversify our economy."
He noted he backs a $2 billion, 800 megawatt Consumers Energy "clean coal" operation in Essexville.
• Said Michigan needs to look to North Carolina as an economic model, as that state expanded from dependence on tobacco, textiles and furniture to sectors like banking and bio-technology.
• Said he continues to oppose gay marriage and civil unions. He maintained gay couples already enjoy broad legal protections.
"Gay individuals by and large do enjoy the protections that heterosexuals do," he said.
http://www.mlive.com:80/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/05/press_exclusive_mike_cox_joins.html
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