Candidates for the 69th district seat in the House of Representatives, Republican Susan McGillicuddy, far left, and Democrat Sam Singh, far right, sit down for a debate with mediator and news anchor Jo Anne Paul, center, on Monday, Oct. 1, 2012 at the Meridian Township Municipal Building. James Ristau/The State News
The candidates for the 69th district state House seat sparred over education funding during a debate Monday night, agreeing that the cost of higher education has risen too high, but clashed on how to provide quality education at a lower cost.
While Republican Susan McGillicuddy said universities are not doing enough to reduce unnecessary spending, Singh chided the legislature’s decision to cut funding to higher education in previous years.
“I don’t want a Michigan that’s on the cheap; I want a Michigan that’s willing to invest in its people,” Singh said.
The candidates faced off for a debate hosted by Meridian Township’s HOMTV, launching a month-long series featuring other Ingham County candidates.
The candidates also touched on the Michigan business tax, several statewide ballot proposals and women’s health in Michigan.
Singh, who fought a close primary battle, has a clearer shot to the House in November as the area historically has voted Democrat and Singh’s endorsement and fundraising count is significantly higher than McGillicuddy’s.
The seat is being vacated by Rep. Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing, who is term limited.
McGillicuddy previously said she would not be decreasing her duties as Meridian Township Supervisor to campaign for the seat, and does not intend to seek business endorsements.
She stood by her stance of reducing the size of government and keeping elected officials accountable, advocating for better incentives for businesses to lead economic growth.
“Michigan needs to learn to live within its means,” McGillicuddy said. “It isn’t right to look at our citizens as taxable units. We need to put the ball back where it belongs and that’s in the private sector.”
Bill Ballenger, editor of Inside Michigan Politics, said McGillicuddy, who ran for the seat two years ago, is facing a tougher battle this year because there isn’t as much Republican support across the board.
In 2010, Democrats were unseated after a “Republican blowout,” but this year McGillicuddy doesn’t have as strong party support leading into November, he said.
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