Gubernatorial candidate visits Esky
Even though the 2010 election is still more than a year away, gubernatorial candidate Tom George MD has already been hitting the campaign trail - on his bicycle. George was in the U.P. participating in the annual Tour Da UP fund-raiser for Teaching Family Homes.
ESCANABA - Even though the 2010 election is still more than a year away, gubernatorial candidate Tom George MD has already been hitting the campaign trail - on his bicycle.
George was in the U.P. participating in the annual Tour Da UP fund-raiser for Teaching Family Homes.
George, a state senator from Kalamazoo, is running for the Republican nomination for Governor, once Gov. Jennifer Granholm leaves office due to term limits.
"I feel I can bring a unique perspective to the office of governor due to my experience not only as a legislator, but also as a physician," said George.
George has 25 years as a practicing anesthesiologist and has also served five years as a hospice medical director.
When questioned why the state was in current ly financial straits with high unemployment, and budget cuts to education and health care, George said the problem lies within the House and the Senate.
"The state constitution requires the legislature to pass a balanced budget, with revenues meeting expenses," he said.
George said the House, unlike the Senate, did not have the means of identifying revenue sources, and it was difficult to negotiate resolutions between the House and Senate due to the inequality of the budgets.
"I have introduced a bill that would lay out budget rules that clarify how each chamber would identify and reflect revenue sources," said George.
Currently, according to George, the Senate made difficult cuts to Medicaid and school funding - all categorical funding cuts - in order to balance the budget.
"Budget cuts were also made to the Health Department and State Police funds and revenue sharing. While budget cuts are difficult, the way to turn the state around is not going to be simple," said George.
Although cuts were made to the budget, he said currently health care costs exceed education costs, leaving the state in a similar situation as General Motors before reorganizing under federal scrutiny.
George said he felt one way to lead the state out from under the current fiscal constraint is to reform Medicare, which would lead to lower health costs.
"We need to encourage healthy behavior, if patients or people receiving Medicaid don't care about taking control of their health, then the system fails," he said.
George also said the next governor needs to work with the legislature regardless of which party holds majority.
He added the residents of Michigan want and need change, and as governor his goal would be to move the state forward.
Another area that George would like to see change is the lengthening of term limits for both chambers, in addition to reforming the state constitution.
"The question needs to be asked, does the state need all the townships it has, all of the road commissions? It would take a 2/3 majority vote of the legislature to place the issue on the ballot for 2010," he said.
The state constitution was written in the 1960s, when the state was prosperous and circumstances were better, he added.
In regards to the Upper Peninsula, George said the U.P had great resources, and judicious and proper use of those resources was necessary for business growth.
"Tourism is important to the economy of the state, and maintenance of our state parks is vital to tourism," he said. "There is currently a plan before the Senate to create a state park passport."
Under legislation being considered, residents in Michigan would have the option of paying an additional $10 fee for a state park passport when renewing their driver's license. The passport would grant access to all state parks without purchase of a separate motor vehicle pass.
"If I am elected governor during the 2010 election, I look forward to serving all the residents of Michigan, and participating as governor in the 21st annual Tour Da U.P. bicycle event," said George.
The original article can be seen here at the Daily Press website.
Tom George spoke about Medicaid http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/514258.html
ESCANABA - Gubernatorial candidate Tom George was misquoted in an article which appeared in the Friday, Aug. 7, edition of the Daily Press. The article should have stated George was speaking about the Medicaid program, not Medicare.
In the article, George spoke of what he felt was necessary to reduce health costs for residents of Michigan. It should have stated: "We need to encourage healthy behavior, if patients or people receiving Medicaid don't care about taking care of their health then the system fails."
"Medicare" is a federal program provided to the elderly and disabled, while "Medicaid" is a state funded and monitored program.
Posted: 8/7/2009