Rochester – Abortion, pandemic school closures and rising costs took center stage in the final, hour-long debate between Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Republican Tudor Dixon in Oakland County .
The televised debate at Oakland University saw the candidates clash over critical issues Michigan faces two weeks before the election as they try to sway undecided voters in a close race.
The outgoing governor and her opponent have argued over Whitmer’s record and what Dixon promises she will hold on to if elected governor on Nov. 8.
Here are five key areas where Whitmer and Dixon clashed during Tuesday night’s debate:
Debate on school closures
Dixon and Whitmer answered several questions from debate moderators about pandemic-era school closures, parental involvement in education, and school safety.
Whitmer at one point maintained that schools had not been closed for more than three months during the pandemic. Schools were closed via Whitmer’s executive order for approximately three months at the onset of COVID-19 in the spring of 2020, but additional state-ordered closures have occurred that fall under state health department orders suitable for high schools. From there, the governor let local school boards decide whether to keep schools closed through winter and spring 2021.
“The reason children were out of school during the pandemic was because we were working from the knowledge of 1918, when children died from the last global pandemic,” Whitmer said. “As a mom, all I thought about was saving our kids’ lives.”
Dixon took issue with Whitmer’s comments about the length of the shutdown and argued that Michigan suffered worsening test scores due to the shutdowns. Dixon said she would work to reverse those losses and “make sure they get back on track after the years of online learning they endured under this governor’s policies.”
Whitmer countered that Dixon would guarantee a program pushed by the West Michigan DeVos family for public schools. The family of former education secretary Betsy DeVos has long sought to allow taxpayer funds to be used for education in private schools.
Dixon told reporters after the debate that she would have prioritized in-person learning.
“We saw other states open their schools and the kids were safe. And they ended up having a lot less learning loss than Michigan State,” Dixon said.
The abortion debate continues
Right out of the gate on Tuesday, Whitmer and Dixon dueled over what has become a stark contrast between the two candidates: abortion rights.
Whitmer attacked Dixon for his beliefs regarding abortion, referring to Dixon’s comments surrounding his stance on abortion exemptions. Dixon said she does not support rape or incest exemptions, only to save the mother’s life.
Whitmer touted his lawsuit in Oakland County Circuit Court, which led to one of two court rulings stopping enforcement of Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban after the Dobbs decision of the United States Supreme Court.
“The only reason it’s not in effect right now is because of my lawsuit,” Whitmer said.
Dixon defended his position and accused Whitmer of supporting late-term abortions, citing his past legislative votes on the issue of partial-birth abortion.
Dixon said she would accept the results if voters pass Proposition 3, a proposition in the Nov. 8 ballot that would enshrine the right to reproductive freedom, including abortion, in the state Constitution.
“If that’s what people want, then I’ll enforce that,” Dixon said.
Inflation and tax relief
Dixon and Whitmer argued over the governor’s office’s approach to nationwide inflation.
Whitmer said she helped pass legislation that would lower the cost of child care and helped fund a tuition-free post-secondary training program. She also noted several tax proposals she had put forward, including eliminating the pension tax and increasing the earned income credit.
“A governor can’t fix global inflation, but what I can do is put more money in your pocket,” Whitmer said.
Dixon noted that Whitmer had vetoed several tax proposals from the GOP-led Legislature, including a pause on the state’s gas tax and a decrease in the state’s income tax rate. State. Whitmer replied that it was “stuff” that wouldn’t take effect until the spring.
After:Five matchups that defined the first Whitmer-Dixon debate for governor
Dixon also criticized Whitmer for proposing to raise the gas tax by 45 cents early in his first term. Whitmer’s proposal was rejected by the Republican-controlled legislature.
“It was one of the first things she tried to do when she was in power,” Dixon said.
Reform of no-fault auto insurance
On the issue of no-fault car insurance reform passed in 2019, Whitmer said the legislation provides options for drivers in terms of insurance coverage and improved affordability. She acknowledged that the issue of exhausted services for people injured in crashes before the law was passed is one the courts are currently considering.
Dixon also acknowledged that some laws have “unintended consequences,” but criticized Whitmer for touting a $400 rebate check with an ongoing lawsuit that could impact the law’s ability to pursue cost control. of 2019.
Whitmer argued that the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association authorized the refunds, not the governor. Dixon countered that Whitmer touted the checks as if she was the one who handed them out.
“I’m glad she admitted that,” Dixon said.
Dixon noted that the MCCA now plans to increase its annual per-vehicle assessment by $48 following a court ruling in favor of injured drivers.
“The governor knew there would be a lawsuit when she decided to give the catastrophic injury fund…she gave you those checks ($400) a little too soon,” Dixon said.
Energy affordability
On the issue of energy costs, Dixon attacked Whitmer for his unsuccessful lawsuit in 2020 to shut down Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 pipeline through the Strait of Mackinac. A second lawsuit filed by Attorney General Dana Nessel, also seeking to shut down the line, is ongoing.
“That would be catastrophic and increase our energy costs at a time when people are struggling to heat their homes,” Dixon said.
Whitmer countered that there had been no changes to the operation of Line 5 during his four years in office and that permits for the construction of a tunnel under the Straits are currently pending before the Commission of the Michigan Civil Service. Whitmer did not say if she supports Enbridge’s plan to build a tunnel to house Line 5 under the bedrock of Lake Michigan.
The governor argued that it was essential to invest in energy independence through renewable energy.
“We know the costs have gone up,” Whitmer said. “That’s why it’s really important to develop energy alternatives.”
Dixon said the state should be careful not to “crush our economy with a radical energy program.”
“Line 5 wasn’t closed, but that’s not because Gretchen Whitmer didn’t try,” Dixon said.
“The stakes are higher”
The second debate has moved closer to Election Day, and some public polls show Dixon taking the lead from Whitmer.
“I think this one carries a lot of weight,” said David Dulio, director of OU’s Center for Civic Engagement, which helped organize the debate.
Dixon, a political commentator from Norton Shores, raised less money than Whitmer, a former East Lansing lawmaker, and faced millions of dollars in negative television advertising. Tuesday’s debate was “critical” to Dixon’s chances of unseating a sitting governor, Dulio said.
The larger potential audience and proximity to Election Day made Tuesday night’s debate bigger than the first debate hosted by WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, said University of Michigan debate director Aaron Kall.
“The stakes are higher,” Kall said.
Asked if she’s changed her strategy since the first debate, Whitmer told reporters Tuesday night that she doesn’t think so. Then she added that there are “serious issues” facing Michigan.
“There’s so much good work going on in terms of building the future economy…she’s been working against that every step of the way,” Whitmer said of Dixon.
Afterwards, Dixon said she felt her performance on Tuesday was “strong.”
“We were able to call the governor on her case,” Dixon told reporters. “And she didn’t seem to have many answers.”
