Ficano: Snyder Pulled The Rug Out From Under The Michigan Film Industry

By Carol Cain
Senior Producer and Host
WWJ-TV CBS Detroit Michigan Matters

It was talk of politics that included President Barack Obama and Gov. Rick Snyder that got things rolling at the Michigan Chronicle's recent "Pancakes and Politics" forum featuring the region's Big Four leaders who offered differing impressions.

When it came to Snyder, a CEO turned politician, opinions seemed to break along party lines.

"I really disagree with parts he's put out there like reducing film credits," said Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, a Democrat.

"Brooks has a whole studio that was built (Raleigh Studio in Pontiac). Wasn't there a better way to do this? We've pulled out the rug from underneath the film industry after we've already made promises," said Ficano.

He also took issue with getting rid of brownfield tax credits which helps cities like Detroit."
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Ficano was joined on the "Pancakes" panel by Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel. It airs as a special Michigan Matters at 11 a.m. Sunday on WWJ-TV CBS Detroit.

Bing, another CEO turned politician, would not engage in dispersing a grade for the new governor.

"But I don't agree with his earned income tax credit – I don't agree with his decision to cut into it as deeply as he did. The brownfield tax credits – I don't agree with the governor's plan on that either," Bing said.

"There are some policies I support of his, and some that I don't," said Hackel, another newbie to broader politics after being elected to the first county executive job in the suburban Detroit community.

"I'm not a teacher so I won't give him a grade though," added Hackel.

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, the only Republican among the Big Four, didn't hold back.

"Well, he's a Republican so I give him an A-plus," said Patterson, a vocal critic of Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat, who served as governor before. "He's very unorthodox in what he wants to do and he's shaking up affairs in Lansing and in Michigan."

Looking ahead to 2012 and the presidential race, Patterson was asked if he would again support former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney as he did four years ago.

"I'm not really taking a position yet on who to support," said Patterson. "Mitt is from Michigan and would be a good friend in a high place if he was elected. But I need to see the other candidates."

Bing, who has his hands full with financial crisis, said "I don't pay a lot of attention to that. But I will support Obama."

Patterson weighed in strongly with opposition to Obama citing the federal deficit which is sure to be a recurrent GOP theme in the case to unseat the president.

"The government is $14.3 trillion in debt. If the government spent $100 million a day to work to try and pay off that debt, do you know how long it would take? It would take 389 years. This administration has accumulated more debt than was accumulated from Washington through Reagan." He said.

Countered Hackel, "Obama will be re-elected."

"He has shown tremendous leadership and it's obvious that he is compassionate about the country. Who are the Republicans talking about: Sarah Palin or Donald Trump? Cmon!"

Added Patterson to laughter: "Save this video and we'll play them two years from now!!"

There was also serious conversation about finances as Bing reiterated his opposition to an emergency financial manager being appointed in his city.

The mental mindset of the city isn't helping either, the mayor added.

"We are still in denial about our problems," Bing said. "People in Detroit would rather fight than fix," he said. "Understand that change has to happen and is going to be painful for a while."

Carol Cain is Senior Producer and Host of the Emmy winning Michigan Matters airing 11 a.m. Sundays on WWJ-TV CBS Detroit. You can read her columns on business and politics in Sunday's Free Press. She can be reached at 248-355-7126 or via email.

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