Mark Schauer for Governor

As Michigan’s Governor, Mark Schauer will wake up every day and fight for a strong middle class, for our kids, our retirees, and an economy that works for everyone.

Rick Snyder has taken our state in the wrong direction. Since taking office, Snyder’s policies have favored the wealthy and the special interests at the expense of Michigan families.

Mark is committed to making Michigan a place where we invest in education, where we protect our seniors and retirees, and where we provide small businesses with the tools they need to create good jobs that can support a family.

An Economy That Works for Everyone

Rick Snyder’s economy has produced one of the nation’s worst unemployment rates, falling wages, increased poverty, and a shrinking middle class. Gov. Snyder has raised taxes on senior citizens’ retirement earnings and on low-income working parents. He has also made deep cuts to education, leading to widespread teacher layoffs and higher tuition costs, which amount to a hidden tax on middle-class families. Additionally, Gov. Snyder’s divisive “Right to Work” law has failed to create jobs.

Mark understands what the economy looks like not just to corporate CEOs, but to the hard-working Michiganders who make our economy tick. Growing up, Mark saved for college with his paper route, pumping gas, and flipping burgers.

As Governor, Mark will work to build an economy that works for everyone – not just the wealthy and the special interests.

Mark knows there’s no such thing as a strong economy without a strong middle class. In our consumer-driven economy, when working families have more money in their pockets, they have more to spend on things like groceries, clothes for their kids, and new cars – things that help Michigan businesses and create Michigan jobs.

In Congress, Mark fought to rescue Michigan’s auto industry, saving thousands of jobs across the state. He also worked to provide auto manufacturers with resources to re-tool and modernize their operations, and bring jobs back to Michigan.

Mark has a long track record of working personally with small businesses to keep and create jobs for Michigan workers. While Gov. Snyder has unilaterally disarmed in the race for jobs by abandoning tax incentives for high-tech businesses, Mark will ensure our economic development officials have the tools they need to compete for new jobs.

A Quality Public Education for Every Child

As the son of a high school science teacher and a product of Michigan public schools, Mark understands that education is the single most important investment we can make as a state. To give our kids a better future, rebuild the middle class, and compete for 21st Century jobs, we need to keep our constitutional promise of a quality public education for every child.

As Governor, Mark will work to put students first by reversing Gov. Snyder’s devastating cuts to our schools and colleges. Mark has proposed common-sense reforms that will improve the choices available to parents – such as removing the profit motive from charter and “cyber” schools, improving transparency, and requiring traditional students to spend at least 80% of the school day in a classroom with certified teachers.

Mark understands that our world-class colleges and universities are key incubators for good Michigan jobs. That’s why he helped increase Pell grants and cut student loan rates – because Mark is committed to making sure Michiganders get the skills and opportunities they need to compete for high-tech jobs. As Governor, Mark will work to reverse Gov. Snyder’s $500 million cut to our colleges and universities, and invest in higher education to help make college more affordable for middle class families.

Protecting Seniors & Retirees

Mark has always fought to protect Michigan seniors. In Congress, he was a fierce advocate for Social Security and Medicare, and as Governor, he’ll work to repeal the Snyder Pension Tax.

This unfair tax is taking thousands of dollars out of the pockets of retirees every year to help pay for a $1.8 billion tax cut for corporate special interests. That means seniors living on a fixed income have less to spend on everyday necessities like gas, groceries, and prescription drugs. As Governor, Mark will always fight to protect our seniors and their hard-earned retirement savings.

Investing in Our Energy Future & Protecting the Great Lakes

Mark knows that we need comprehensive solutions to Michigan’s long-term energy needs, that include traditional sources and a transition to a clean energy future. That’s why he has always been a champion for clean energy jobs – voting to invest in renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil. Mark also helped create Michigan’s first Renewable Energy Standard, which requires a portion of Michigan’s electricity to come from clean, renewable sources. This law is already helping manufacturers create jobs across the state.

Mark believes we need to stop importing energy from other states, which costs consumers money and hurts job growth. As Governor, Mark will push for greater investments in clean energy sources like wind and solar – which will create good-paying jobs for workers right here in Michigan, while protecting good jobs during the transition from traditional energy sources.

When it comes to protecting Pure Michigan, Mark has never been afraid to take on big oil companies that pollute our water resources. When Enbridge Energy spilled one million gallons of oil in the Kalamazoo River, Mark fought to hold them accountable and ensure they paid to clean up the spill – not Michigan taxpayers. In fact, an Enbridge contractor was recently convicted of fraud after Mark called for an investigation into the use of undocumented workers. Mark also introduced legislation that is now law to strengthen pipeline safety. As Governor, Mark will always fight to protect the Great Lakes.

Stronger Cities & Safer Communities

Rick Snyder’s drastic cuts to Michigan’s communities are hurting cities and towns across the state, forcing deep cuts to basic services like police, fire protection, and infrastructure.

To improve Michigan’s economy, Mark knows we need strong cities and safe communities to attract a talented workforce and high-tech business investment. That’s why Mark fought for legislation to help communities hire additional police officers, and purchase new fire trucks – manufactured right here in Michigan. As a member of the Transportation Committee, Mark also helped bring back more of our Michigan tax dollars from Washington to put people to work fixing our crumbling roads and bridges.

As Governor, Mark will work to reverse Gov. Snyder’s cuts to local revenue sharing, and improve public safety. He’ll also fight for greater investment in our roads, and work to modernize our aging infrastructure.

Equality for Every Michigander

Michigan is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. But under Rick Snyder, many people – especially women and the LGBT community – are being left behind.

After promising to focus on our economic problems, Gov. Snyder has signed bills that banned domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples, and limited access to basic health care services for women. Gov. Snyder has also refused to support equal pay legislation, and his administration has opposed adoption cases for loving, committed same-sex couples.

Mark Schauer understands that in order to build a talented workforce and compete for good-paying jobs, Michigan needs to be a more welcoming and inclusive state. That’s why he fought to pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, and expand access to basic health care services and cancer screenings for women. As Governor, Mark will continue to defend women’s reproductive rights. He also supports legislation to strengthen the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act by protecting LGBT citizens from discrimination, and he supports marriage equality. Mark is committed to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.

Check back often for updates as Mark announces new proposals in the coming weeks and months.