Democratic gubernatorial nominee Virg Bernero has turned his campaign into a Main Street vs. Wall Street agenda. Like his opponent, he says he has a plan to reinvent Michigan and revitalize Main Street.

Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder, an Ann Arbor venture capitalist, and Democratic candidate Virg Bernero, the mayor of Lansing, recently visited with AnnArbor.com's editorial board in advance of the Nov. 2 election.

Here's what Bernero had to say.

Creating jobs

Says he has created more than 6,000 jobs as mayor of Lansing and can deliver results for Michigan. Wants to eliminate the Michigan Business Tax surcharge and work with the business community to restructure the MBT to make Michigan more business-friendly.

"I'm intent on making Michigan the No. 1 place in the country to do business. I think with that as our goal, the overarching goal, that is how I will evaluate everything."

Tax incentives

Says he would use "every tool in the toolbox" to bring businesses to Michigan. Proposes a program called Make It In Michigan For Free that would offer zero taxes for 12 years to companies wishing to set up advanced manufacturing facilities in distressed urban areas.

"We have some of the best people, most productive, most talented people in manufacturing and advanced manufacturing right here in Michigan. And we need not only the R&D and engineering, but the advanced manufacturing to take place here, which will mean massive incentives. It will mean Make It In Michigan For Free. That's how bold I think we need to be."

Proposed budget cuts

Says he would work with state employees on the front lines to find solutions to the state's budget crisis. Says he would put Michigan's budget online and be "completely transparent."

"No question, we're going to do a forensic audit and find out where all the bodies are buried. I mean, you've got billions of dollars in private contracts (paid to consultants). Right from the get-go, I would shave 3 to 5 percent off those contracts where people are making money. There's a lot of it. But let's consult the workers on the front lines."

Education

Wants to investment more in education. Wants to expand access to pre-K and favors full-day kindergarten, attacking the drop-out rate, and restoring the Michigan Promise.

"We do have to have a renewed emphasis on education. The teachers alone can't do it. I mean, they can be a big part of it. But we have to change the culture about education."

Social issues

Supports abortion rights and embryonic stem cell research. Says Michigan is stuck with state constitutional provisions on affirmative action and gay marriage, but he supports equal legal rights for gay and lesbian couples. Wants more money for substance abuse treatment and mental health programs.

"I hate to think we're wasting jail space on people who are addicts. Whether they're an alcoholic or drug addict, that needs a treatment program. We're treating addiction in a very expensive and very ineffective way right now."

Other campaign issues

: Proposes creation of a state bank that would partner with community banks and community credit unions to make loans to businesses. "The state bank would essentially be there to backstop community banks and community credit unions. What we're taking about is us taking our resources … that are now invested in Wall Street banks, and taking some of it and bringing it back to Michigan."

On Wall Street versus Main Street: "We're still screwed on Main Street. Wall Street now has record profits, things are flowing beautifully, bonuses are back. I mean, there's something wrong with the economy when Main Street is suffering and Wall Street is going like gangbusters. There is a disconnect."

On research coming out of state universities

"We have to pay attention to the new ideas, the new products, coming out of our great universities, making sure they land here."

On consolidation

"Look, 580 school districts for 83 counties is absurd and unsustainable. That's just the reality, so people have got to get ready to either pay a lot more for what they've got or consolidate. And it's not just school districts, but municipalities."

On dealing with employee costs

"My first thing is try not to lay anybody off, try to keep them whole, but there's going to be changes and my goal with that is we're going to work together."