Holland- Republican candidate for governor Dick DeVos, a member of one of America's richest families, says he will not release his entire income tax returns. He says he will provide some summaries of his wealth.
"I have decided I'm going to disclose certain information because I think it is important," DeVos said during a campaign stop in Holland.
"Certain information as a governor is appropriate."
Mark Brewer, the Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, is calling upon DeVos to release his entire tax return so voters can know his income and how much tax he pays.
"It creates the suspicion there is something in there he is trying to hide," says Brewer.
Brewer says not only does Governor Granholm release her tax returns; he says recent Republican candidates also shared their financial secrets.
"John Engler, Dick Posthumous disclosed their tax returns," says Brewer. "We think Dick DeVos should adhere to the same standard."
"The Democrats are discussing an issue we will address openly and directly at the appropriate time," says DeVos.
Candidates who release their tax returns may think it is an important issue for voters, which may or may not be true.
"I don't feel they need to share that information," says Robert Dody in Holland. "It's more of personal information."
"Of course I do want to see the returns," says Tracy Beeks in Grand Rapids. "I just want to see what's going on."
Mark Brewer says the tax returns can reveal a possible conflict of interest.
"The press and citizens can decide if anything in there is important," he says.
But DeVos calls the demand to see his tax return a distraction from the important issues.
"While Democrats are talking about tax returns, I'm tallking about how do we get jobs in Michigan," he says. "How to get more people working so they have the opportunity to pay taxes."
Phil Dawson