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Michigan Gubernatorial Forum (Full audio of event) MT PLEASANT, MI (Michigan Radio) - Three candidates for Michigan governor answered a variety of questions about the direction of the state at a forum at Central Michigan University last night.

Alternative energy, offshore drilling, and environmental issues were on the table.

Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder says an Illinois shipping channel should be permanently closed to protect the Great Lakes from the spread of Asian Carp and other invasive species. He says "there's actually been about 180 different kinds of invasive species already in the Great Lakes. They're coming at the rate of about two a year. So what we need to learn from this, is we need to have the right mechanisms: Prevention, detection, rapid response and management if we need to." Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero agrees the locks should be closed. State Senator Tom George says Michigan needs a compact with other Great Lakes States to prevent the spread of the invasive species.

Republicans Tom George and Rick Snyder, and Democrat Virg Bernero were also asked how they would increase the tax dollars the state gets from Washington.
George says the formulas need to be fixed. "It is inherently unfair, when a struggling state would have to go back to its citizens, who have lost their jobs, who have had their pay cut, and ask them to pay more taxes to get our federal share. It is a broken system." Snyder says he would work more closely with other governors and the federal government for a more fair distribution of federal money. Bernero says he would make sure no federal matching dollars were left on the table.

Questions were also posed about the development of mass transit in the state.
Bernero says studies show new college graduates want to live in a city where they don't need a car "Young people today want that public transportation. It's certainly good for the environment, it's good for economic development, it's where we must go." George says the state doesn't have the money for mass transit projects right now. Snyder says the private sector should take the lead.

Democratic candidate Andy Dillon, and Republicans Mike Bouchard, Mike Cox and Pete Hoekstra did not attend the debate.

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