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How Milliken, Levin Stand On The Issues

How Milliken, Levin Stand On The Issues image
Parent Issue
Day
29
Month
October
Year
1970
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Copyright Protected
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Donated by the Ann Arbor News. © The Ann Arbor News.
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LANSING- What's the difference between Gov. Milliken and his Democratic opponent, Sander M. Levin? A simplistic answer is nine years of age and between $200 and $250 million. Milliken, a young - looking 48, has stressed his record of accomplishment during 20 months as governor. He has shied away from talking about spending and taxes. Levin, the younger at 39, has vowed certain programs, and the price tag adds up to more than $200 million. There are many issues where the two candidates agree in principle, but differences show up in the details of executing the principles. Each is on record of favoring the liberalization of abortion laws but against the legalization of marijuana. Each stands firm against violence and drug use on campus, in the streets or at rock festivals. Each wants a better effort to battle organized crime. Differences show up in how each would apply the specific programs to accomplish the goals. Each agrees that state tax system must be changed, with less load on property and more on so-called ability to pay. This, of course, means the state income tax rate of 2.6 per cent on individuals would have to go up. But the application varies. Milliken has proposed a 16-mill limit on property taxes for school purposes, with an additional four mills if approved by the voters. At the time, he did not mention that it would result - later - in an increase in the income tax. But Levin has a similar proposal, just a little bit different. His was based on a graduated income tax in cimbination with reduced property taxes. And each man wants to help local government to make it flexible and self-supporting. The big difference in principle is parochiaid (state aid to nonpublic schools). Levin is against it and Milliken for it. But both have said that ballot, Proposal C, which would prohibit almost all forms of aid to private schools, is too broad and far-reaching. Each urges his followers to vote no. It is with the use of the dollar sign that the differences show the most. Levin has urged a drug-abuse program that would cost about $30 million; property tax relief and revenue sharing with local communities that could top $100 use of citizen grand juries to fight crime at a possible cost of $10 million; educational and social programs with an unknown total of millions. Milliken cites the record of the state while he has been governor to show how he stands on solving the problems that Levin says require more attention - and more money. Even at that, Milliken has been criticized by many Republicans for spending too much, for being too liberal. And Levin is not the flaming liberal that left-wing politicians and campus radicals would like in a candidate. Both, when put in the perspective of today's moods and parties, could be described as middle of the roaders. For instance, either candidate might have said these statements: "I support President Nixon's welfare reform bill" (That is stalled in Congress). "I was raised in the work ethic; I believe in work; I believe there should be incentives for women to work, even women with children. But it should not be mandatory." "I will use what f orce is necessary where violence breaks out. I will be hard headed with those who use violence." "Organized crime? We have the organization to combat it. We should give it the resources needed." In the examples, the speaker was Levin responding to questions put to him during the campaign. Compare those comments with these by Milliken: "I feel that the good, common sense of 98 per cent of students will prevail" (to hold down violence on the campuses and interruption of classes). 'Ive tried very hard to do what I ought to do and to do what I think is right - and let the chips fall where they may." "If Detroit is not saved and continues to decline, then the State of Michigan is going to be involved in an endless chain of doling out money. The way to save Detroit is to help Detroit save itself." "We haven't solved all the problems of crime, but I can say we are making progress - not alone but in cooperation with Republicans, Democrats and just plain citizens."