Center for Michigan conducts first of three “Great Debates 2010” – see the video here!

Gubernatorial candidates Pete Hoekstra, Rick Snyder, and Tom George waged a spirited but civil debate on state tax reform, budget cuts, prison and health care spending on May 25 in Grand Rapids. The debate was organized and conducted by the Center for Michigan and co-sponsored by the Small Business Association of Michigan. Watch a video of the debate here.

A similar Democratic gubernatorial debate will be held July 15 in Wixom. A third debate will be held this fall between the Republican and Democratic gubernatorial nominees.

The Center for Michigan also plans to feature 30-minute debates in 50 competitive races for the Michigan House and Senate. The legislative debates will be scheduled between August and October. All debates will be taped in studio without a studio audience. All debates will be moderated by professional journalists. Public television stations throughout Michigan will broadcast the Great Debates. Each debate will also be available for “on demand” viewing on this page and at MiVote.org.

You can see six of the gubernatorial candidates – State Senator Tom George, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, Attorney General Mike Cox, Congressman Pete Hoekstra and businessman Rick Snyder – live onstage at the Small Business Association of Michigan’s annual meeting in East Lansing on June 24. The candidates will present their visions for growing the business economy and returning the state to prosperity.

The annual meeting will be take place 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center. Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling (800) 362-5461.