Bill Weld in 2016 Vice Presidential prospects

On Gun Control: Now Libertarian, changed position to opposing gun control

Once an advocate for strong gun control laws, Weld last week quickly made public his new position as an anti-gun-control candidate -- in line with his fellow Libertarians. Source: Boston Globe on 2016 Veepstakes/vice-presidential hopefuls May 26, 2016

On Social Security: Will not abolish social security and receives it himself

"I don't propose to abolish Social Security, I just started receiving it!," the nearly 71-year-old Weld said. Source: Boston Globe on 2016 Veepstakes/vice-presidential hopefuls May 26, 2016

On Environment: Favored EPA's electric car mandate and stricter smog limits

Weld was a supporter of stricter environmental regulations being promulgated by the EPA. In 1997 he joined Governor Whitman of New Jersey in pushing the EPA to establish "stricter limits on smog." In 1994 Weld led his administration in pushing for the EPA to require an electric car mandate. The New York Times reported: In Massachusetts, the Environmental Affairs Secretary, Trudy Coxe, said that the state Legislature adopted the California plan and that the measure was signed by then -- Gov. Michael S. Dukakis. Gov. William F. Weld, a Republican, supports the program, she said. Among the stipulations that New York and Massachusetts agreed to is a requirement that 2 percent of the cars offered for sale in the 1998 model year be electric. Source: Conservative Review, "5 Statist Positions": 2016 Veepstakes May 19, 2016

On Health Care: Relaxed the eligibility rules for care under Medicaid

When Governor Weld assumed office in 1991, his administration confronted the reoccurring Medicaid funding problem. He petitioned the federal government for a waiver, obtaining additional federal funding under a false assumption that his reforms would be "budget neutral." Once the waiver was granted, the Weld administration relaxed the eligibility rules for care under Medicaid in Massachusetts. The result was an explosion in Medicaid applications, going from 670,000 in 1995 to over a million in 2001. Source: Reflections Magazine, "Mitt's massive mess": 2016 Veepstakes Aug 1, 2011

On Education: Prefers state input on education, not one national standard

Weld told The Associated Press that swapping state standards for proposed national ones is "a retrograde step" and a precursor to eliminating the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, or MCAS, tests in both of those subject areas. More broadly, he said the state's unique education curriculum "is a competitive advantage Massachusetts has. If you say, 'Let's have one national standard,' then we're the same as everyone else. That makes no sense to me." Source: Springfield Republican (MassLive.com) on 2016 Veepstakes Jul 20, 2010

On Education: Establish the first 25 charter schools in Massachusetts

In 1993, Governor Weld signed the Education Reform Act into law. Among other things, the new law authorizes the establishment of up to 25 charter schools, beginning in 1995. No more than five of these schools may be established in Boston or Springfield, no more than two may be located in any other city or town, and no more than 0.75% of the total public school student population may attend charter schools. Tuition payments will vary, depending on where a school is located. Source: The Heritage Foundation, "School Choice": 2016 Veepstakes Mar 1, 1995

The above quotations are from Vice Presidential possibilities for 2016. Click here for main summary page. Click here for a profile of Bill Weld. Click here for Bill Weld on all issues.
*Bill Weld on other issues:*
Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families Foreign Policy Free Trade	Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Jobs Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform Technology/Infrastructure War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org! Click for details -- or send donations to: 1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140 E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org (We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Nov 30, 2021