Bud Pierce in 2016 OR Governor's race
On Tax Reform:
Tax relief on mid-tier income earners, to create more jobs
Pierce's campaign focuses on bringing economic prosperity to the state. His main idea is that most of the problems Oregon faces can be fixed by creating more jobs. Establishing a well-trained, well-prepared work force alongside a booming private sector
is the key. "The more people we can employ with real jobs, the better our society will be," he said.Some of the ways he wants to achieve this is through tax relief on mid-tier income and by providing more affordable post-secondary education for
students. He also supports programs that support career technical education, such as Measure 98, which would require state funding for dropout-prevention and career and college readiness.
Beyond growing the private sector, Pierce also highlighted his
belief that private industry could help run state agencies more efficiently. "The government has to live within the realm of what it has," Pierce said. "It can't keep going to the citizens asking for more money, it needs to learn how to manage money."
Source: Portland Tribune on 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial race
On Families & Children:
Partially support hospice/respite centers
Q: What would you do to improve access to respite care so that more family caregivers can take a break from their caregiving duties and continue their caregiving responsibilities?William (Bud) Pierce: We should encourage the development of private,
lightly regulated (to lower the cost), but good quality respite centers, to assist caregivers by allowing their loved ones to be safely cared for by others, allowing them to rest.
We may be able to partially support theses centers, by allowing them to also serve as hospice respite sites. It may be possible to include the funding for these centers as part of "long term care" insurance plans
Kate Brown: I support policies that encourage the recruitment of more qualified workers and ongoing training so patients and family caregivers can feel assured they're receiving the best care.
Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial race
Oct 31, 2016
On Social Security:
Require automatic enrollment with payroll deductions
Q: What would you do to reverse the trend of under saving for retirement?William (Bud) Pierce: Legislation to require automatic enrollment with a payroll deduction mechanism, while allowing employees to opt out, should be considered to improve
individual savings for retirement. Improving job quality (pay), while lowering the cost of living (Oregon is the nations second least affordable state) will do much to help people save for retirement.
Kate Brown: Oregonians deserve the opportunity
to work for a reasonable wage and plan for their future so they can retire with greater peace of mind. The first step in ensuring all workers have retirement security is creating the new state retirement savings program.
We should be moving toward more opportunities to save for retirement--not take options away. I will continue to increase awareness of retirement security issues and support legislation to do so.
Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial race
Oct 31, 2016
On Technology:
Public transit ok, but future is autonomous drive vehicles
Q: What would you do to ensure that transportation options are safe, affordable, accessible, dependable, and user friendly?William (Bud) Pierce: We need large investments in transportation infrastructure to improve our mobility. In addition to a
gradual increase in fees/gas tax for those who use the roads, we should consider the use of bonds and private capital as potential sources of capital. While public transportation is important, I believe that our future lies with autonomous drive
vehicles, which will be especially useful for seniors in terms of maintaining the ability to travel freely. Programs which directly assist disabled seniors with transportation remain important. Subsidies to assist poor seniors must be in place
Kate
Brown: Oregon faces tremendous challenges with aging transportation infrastructure and mind-numbing traffic. I am committed to passing a transportation package in 2017 that addresses Portland-area congestion; expands transit; and makes seismic upgrades.
Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial race
Oct 31, 2016
On Homeland Security:
State duty to honor the sacrifice of those who've served
A Message From Bud to Veterans: "Being an American Veteran means that you are a man or a woman with a warrior's heart, not seeking war, but willing to fight if necessary, to defend your land, your people, and your way of life. This is the ultimate
expression of public service."Bud Pierce Supports Veterans. He believes:- Taking care of our veterans is a core function of state government, not an afterthought or line in a Veterans' Day speech.
- He knows what it means to serve with honor, and
he knows that the state government has a solemn duty to honor the sacrifice of those who've served with honor.
- Returning veterans need a place in our state's workforce. They have unique skills and strengths they learned in the military.
-
Vets deserve quality health care--both physical and mental.
- Bud Pierce knows this, because he's lived it--while serving in the Marines and serving vets with cancer in his work at the Veteran's Administration hospital in Portland. He's one of us.
Source: 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website BudPierce.com
Mar 28, 2016
On Gun Control:
Oppose background checks; they won't reduce gun violence
The 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution couldn't be clearer. Over the last decade, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Second Amendment applies to the states and federal enclaves and protects an individual's right to possess a firearm for
traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home. The Oregon Constitution shares the same intent.Bud Pierce believes in upholding Oregonians' clear constitutional rights and is against signing into law bills that might make us feel
better but really do nothing to cut down on gun violence. He believes the outcome of expanding background checks would mean additional government costs and bureaucracy rather than reduced gun violence. He also opposed Senate Bill 941 due to its
emergency clause that denied Oregonians the right to vote on a bill that would impact their constitutional rights. Bud Pierce believes that all Oregonians should have the right to be heard on laws--not just career politicians in Salem.
Source: 2016 Oregon gubernatorial campaign website BudPierce.com
Feb 2, 2016
On Gun Control:
Surveillance of schools & social media, to curb gun violence
Bud Pierce is a strong supporter of the US Constitution's 2nd Amendment and gun rights under the Oregon Constitution and is equally committed to addressing gun violence in Oregon.What should be done to curb gun violence? Here's Bud Pierce's plan for
Oregon:- Commit more resources to our state's mental health services to ensure that in-patient and out-patient treatment facilities are adequate and Oregonians struggling with mental illness are not warehoused in our prisons or living on our streets.
- Provide advanced technology, including video surveillance, to better protect our schools.
- Additional monitoring of social media.
- Establish a system in which individuals can contact authorities if there is concern that gun violence may occur.
- Give law enforcement the tools to thoroughly investigate situations brought to their attention, including the temporary authority to hold weapons, only if necessary in narrow circumstances when there is an imminent danger.
Source: 2016 Oregon gubernatorial campaign website BudPierce.com
Feb 2, 2016
On Abortion:
Accessible contraceptives & family planning services
Bud Pierce understands the importance of preventative screenings and access to healthcare services. He will ensure women have access to quality and affordable healthcare and family planning services.
Oregon has taken great strides to be a pioneer in providing accessible contraceptives, but it needs to make sure that these services are safely administered and our women receive the appropriate care at all stages of life.
Source: 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website BudPierce.com
Dec 9, 2015
On Budget & Economy:
Cut growth in state budget by half
Bud Pierce will:- Shrink state work force by not replacing retiring state workers.
- Cut growth in state budget by half.
- Establish a commission to examine state programs and recommend closing or consolidating program--with up-or-down vote of
commission's whole package of findings by legislature.
- Zero-based budgeting.
- Fix PERS Once and For All.
- Eliminate Cadillac healthcare plans for state workers.
- Replace Kate Brown's rubberstamp with a Bud Pierce veto pen.
Source: 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website BudPierce.com
Dec 9, 2015
On Education:
We need motivated, well-trained teachers
Bud Pierce believes we need to put more teachers in schools, more money in the pockets of working Oregonians, and more welfare recipients in jobs.Students cannot succeed without good teachers. We need to support our teachers by creating teaching
environments that encourage collaboration, peer mentoring and allow teachers to lead the way forward. We need motivated, well-trained teachers who are in front of their classes because they're the most qualified candidates for the job, not
because they're high in seniority. We need to give them the authority to succeed and hold them accountable. We need more good teachers, and need to fix the PERS system once and for all to free up resources for the hiring of 2000 additional teachers
across Oregon.
And we need more school days--more teacher time with students--whether that involves freeing up more resources or ending unnecessary "in-service" days that have proliferated in recent years.
Source: 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website BudPierce.com
Dec 9, 2015
On Energy & Oil:
End low-carbon fuel mandate: 19 cents-a-gallon hidden tax
Bud Pierce will:- Start by not signing laws that make it more difficult for small businesses to grow good-paying jobs, as Kate Brown did in signing a 19 cents-a-gallon hidden gas tax (the low-carbon fuel mandate), a paid sick leave requirement and
new state retirement plan for small businesses.
- Make Oregon once again a great place to do business by ending job-killing regulations mandates and cutting taxes on small businesses.
- Cut taxes on low and middle-income working families so they
can keep more of their own money to spend or save for their kids' college or their own retirement.
- Push for a repeal of Kate Brown's low-carbon fuel mandate and end her 19 cents a gallon hidden gas tax in order
to put more money in pockets of working (and motoring) Oregonians
- End giveaways and special tax breaks for politically-favored corporations.
Source: 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website BudPierce.com
Dec 9, 2015
On Environment:
Maintain forestlands through proper forest management
Oregon is known for its clear water, natural resources and clean air. 30 million of Oregon's 63 million acres are forestland. Oregon has a long history of supporting its forests and became the first state to adopt a law governing forest practices and
protecting natural resources such as fish, water, air, soil and wildlife. The Oregon Forest Practices Act contains strict environmental standards that serve our land and natural resources well. Forestry in Oregon provides approximately
57,000 jobs with an annual payroll of $2.1 billion. These are jobs that keep Oregon moving and keep our forests healthy.
Bud Pierce wants to keep Oregon at the forefront of innovation when it comes to using and, taking care of, our state's timber
resources. Therefore, we need to maintain Oregon's vast forestlands through proper forest management techniques that will help prevent the severe wildfires Oregonians are experiencing during this incredibly dry summer.
Source: 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website BudPierce.com
Dec 9, 2015
On Families & Children:
Alleviate the scourge of sex trafficking
Having children living on the streets to be preyed upon by sexual predators is simply unacceptable. Bud Pierce wants to ensure safe shelters are available for children living on the streets. Many sexually abused children come from highly dysfunctional
families. Therefore, he believes we must work harder to identify children at risk and intervene before abuse occurs. Strong families, with well paying jobs, and supportive neighborhoods will do much to alleviate the scourge of sex trafficking.
Source: 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website BudPierce.com
Dec 9, 2015
On Health Care:
Subsidize "adequate" insurance for low-income Oregonians
Bud Pierce believes every Oregonian should have an "adequate" insurance plan that is either individually purchased or employer purchased by those with adequate income, or "subsidized" for low-income Oregonians.
A vigorous and competitive private insurance market would sell a variety of insurance products. He sees a competitive and transparent insurance market as a means to cost containment.
Bud Pierce favors insurance for all; an adequate basic plan for all, and supplemental insurance products for those who wish to have more coverage.
He would also work to create incentives for providers to provide "charity services" for those without adequate income or supplemental insurance for those with conditions not covered by their insurance plan.
Source: 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website BudPierce.com
Dec 9, 2015
On Health Care:
Fight any one-size-fits-all single-payer healthcare system
Bud Pierce can assure Oregonians that, whether the Affordable Care Act lives or dies at the federal level, he will fight any state-run one-size-fits-all single-payer healthcare system or any attempt to herd more and more Oregonians into the Oregon Health
Plan Medicaid program. He's not ready to give the state government full control over healthcare after witnessing the "Cover Oregon" debacle and the out-sized premium increases Oregonians have seen under the Affordable Care Act.
Source: 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website BudPierce.com
Dec 9, 2015
On Jobs:
Vigilance in enforcing Equal Pay laws for women
On average, female full-time workers made 78 cents for every dollar earned by men in 2013. Studies found that women generally earn less than men in nearly every occupation. Some of this gap results from life and career choices
that men and women make, but it underscores the fact that Oregon needs to remain vigilant in enforcing the existing "Equal Pay" laws prohibiting pay discrimination based on sex.
Source: 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website BudPierce.com
Dec 9, 2015
On Civil Rights:
Same-sex marriage is a "settled" issue
The positions Pierce has voiced so far are generally fiscally conservative but socially liberal. Pierce said issues like abortion and same-sex marriage are "settled," though he wants as few abortions as are necessary.
Much of Pierce's rhetoric during his announcement focused on what he called "Oregon's broken state government."
He said as governor he'd demand reform of state agencies by eliminating and consolidating inefficient programs.
He said he would reduce government spending by not replacing state agency workers who retire or leave their job, instead of reducing agency size through layoffs.
Source: Salem Statesman Jo urnal on 2016 Oregon gubernatorial race
Sep 10, 2015
Page last updated: Dec 09, 2018