© 2024 WNMU-FM
Upper Great Lakes News, Music, and Arts & Culture
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Snyder, Schauer debate education, economic policy

DETROIT, MI (MPRN)--   Governor Rick Snyder and former Congressman Mark Schauer met in their only scheduled joint appearance of the campaign season Sunday night. 

Snyder is the Republican incumbent. Schauer, the Democratic challenger. The pair tangled on budgets, Detroit, and education spending.

Schauer also reminded people the governor is, officially least, defending the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. 

“His tough choices are tough on all the wrong people. They’re hurting people and hurting our families. I support marriage equality,” he said.

The governor responded.  “I’m waiting for an outcome from the courts,” he said.

Snyder says he has no choice but to defend the same-sex marriage ban approved a decade ago by Michigan voters. The governor says he will leave it up to Attorney General Bill Schuette to decide whether the state will appeal a decision from a federal appeals court. The ruling is expected any day now.

The candidates also tussled over the governor’s privatizing prison food services. The contract with Aramark has been plagued by troubles, including employees smuggling drugs and inappropriate sexual contact with inmates.

“That contract never should have been awarded in the first place,” Schauer said.  “It has been a debacle. For the life of me, I can’t understand why he hasn’t terminated the contract.”

Snyder said the new system needs time to work out the kinks.

“I don’t know about you,” he said. “I try to work with people first before I throw somebody out.”

The governor says the problems were not confined to Aramark and are being fixed – and taxpayers will still save money.

The election for governor is just over three weeks away.