Knute Buehler in 2018 OR Governor's race

On Tax Reform: No new or higher taxes during booming economy

While some pundits say this year's election will be a referendum on Trump, Buehler has strived to make it a referendum on Kate Brown. It's unacceptable, he said, that at a time when the booming economy is generating record tax revenue, the Brown administration has repeatedly sought new and higher taxes. If elected, he vows to sign no spending bill until Salem launches meaningful reform of the public employee retirement system. Source: The Oregonian on 2018 Oregon Governor race May 6, 2018

On Immigration: Omit minor infractions from sanctuary state rules

Carpenter and Wooldridge say they are against the state's sanctuary status for immigrants. Buehler says he sees the utility of limited sanctuary rules which exclude violent criminals but block minor infractions and traffic offenses from being flagged to federal immigration authorities. Source: Associated Press on 2018 Oregon Governor race May 5, 2018

On Health Care: Single-payer health care as a qualified not absolute right

Buehler, an orthopedic surgeon, said he would support a single-payer, Medicaid-for-all system. "I would like to see that, as long as the state can afford it, everyone in the state of Oregon is guaranteed a basic level of health care, and then allow people to buy up from that level." However, Buehler said that a single-payer system is a "qualified right . I don't think it's an absolute right." There may come a time when the state can't afford health care coverage, he added. Source: Eugene Weekly on 2018 Oregon Governor race Feb 8, 2018

On Families & Children: Create a "rapid-improvement team" for foster care

A state official will request $50 million from the Oregon Legislature to help fix issues within Oregon's child welfare agency. Republican State Rep. Knute Buehler said he will introduce the proposal for a "rapid-improvement team" to quickly implement recommendations to fix the agency as an amendment to existing legislation. The purpose of the proposed "rapid-improvement team" will be "to immediately stabilize the foster care program," Buehler said. Source: Seattle Times on 2018 Oregon Governor race Feb 6, 2018

On Crime: A crime victim himself, vows to make citizen's lives safer

Rep. Buehler had the rear window of his car smashed in a break-in Friday morning when parked near the Portland Art Museum, a campaign official said. "No one should accept as a daily part of life, walking out to their car on their way to work, or to a meeting, and coming to a smashed windshield and theft," Buehler said in a statement. "Oregonians need and deserve better. As governor, I will work with city officials to help improve the lives and well-being of all Oregonians." Source: The Oregonian on 2018 Oregon Governor race Dec 15, 2017

On Energy & Oil: May 2017: tax carbon; Oct.2017: oppose clean-energy jobs

In an opinion piece by Buehler over the weekend he voiced his opposition to legislation that would reduce carbon emissions, create good-paying green energy jobs and position Oregon to be an economic engine. Buehler's latest stance contradicts statements he made earlier this year in support of programs like Clean Energy Jobs.ÿOn May 3, 2017 Buehlerÿsaid:ÿ"We should be taxing things that we don't want. I meanÿwe should start taxing things like carbon and move away from taxing people's income." Source: Democratic Party of Oregon on 2018 Oregon Governor race Oct 23, 2017

On Environment: Wants to combat wildfire damage to forests with new policies

This wildfire season has traumatized Oregonians with more than 500K acres burned. Our forests are in trouble and Oregon needs stronger leadership and new policies. Nearly half of the forests are owned by the federal government. Thousands of acres are at risk of catastrophic wildfire, insects and disease. A century of wildfire suppression has resulted in overcrowded forests and high tree mortality. Science shows that managed forests have fewer dead trees and are more resilient after fires. Source: Portland Tribune Buehler OpEd on 2018 Oregon Governor race Sep 19, 2017

On Abortion: Pro-choice: wants abortions rare, safe and legal

When it comes to abortion rights, I believe most Oregonians are either pro-choice with certain limitations or pro-life with certain exceptions. I am pro-choice. And while people of conscience will disagree, my experience is that most Oregonians manifest their positions moderately and with thoughtful consideration for other points of view. And while I'm pro-choice, I actually believe in the idea of making abortionÿ"rare,"ÿalong with keeping it safe and legal. Source: The Oregonian Buehler OpEd on 2018 Oregon Governor race Aug 20, 2017

On Budget & Economy: Boost economy via spending controls and cutting regulations

Buehler declined a request for an interview. In an email he wrote that he is running to "reformÿOregon's struggling public schools," improve the state's budget and boost Oregon's middle class. Buehler, who opposed a bill this year that would have scaled back a business tax break that critics said is helping wealthy doctors and lawyers, said his budget strategy would rely on spending controls. To help the economy, he proposed additional career training and "resisting job-killing regulations." Source: The Oregonian Buehler OpEd on 2018 Oregon Governor race Aug 20, 2017

On Jobs: More job training; less job-killing regulations

In an official announcement Thursday, Buehler said that Oregon "needs change--and I'm ready to lead it." He said he intended to pursue public pension reform, "restore fiscal sanity to Oregon's budget," and work to boost the state's economy by emphasizing job training and holding back on "excessive, job-killing" regulations. Source: East Oregonian on 2018 Oregon Governor race Aug 3, 2017

On Technology: Funding transit by payroll tax is unfair and bad policy

[On transit funding]: "I believe Oregon is overdue to improve our transportation infrastructure but this plan is the wrong way to do it. I'm strongly opposed to a new 'Tesla Tax' to subsidize electric cars for a privileged few. Further, a new payroll tax which will reduce the take-home pay of working Oregonians, to fund transit in a few communities is unfair and bad policy. I have concerns about how billions of dollars will be spent by an agency which still lacks accountability and transparency." Source: KTVZ on 2018 Oregon Governor race Jul 5, 2017

On Principles & Values: Freedom and new opportunities are bedrock GOP principles

Buehler's variation on the typical Republican isn't about bucking his party. I suspect it originates in his rural roots. Buehler seemed almost weary as he described the massive size and scope of government in Oregon and its need to shrink. "What's good about the GOP is the focus on freedom and creating opportunities for people. Those really are the bedrock principles," said Buehler. "However, I think we do need more openness to new ideas and new people being involved in the party." Source: Oregon Catalyst on 2018 Oregon Governor race Apr 18, 2017

On Drugs: Federal government needs to respect state laws on marijuana

Rep. Buehler said federal authorities need to back off any intent to tamper with legal marijuana in Oregon. "I hope the new President and Attorney General keep their hands off Oregon's marijuana law," Buehler stated in a news release. "They should respect the will of the voters and honor state's rights. Federal intervention will only make a legal market a black market once again." Buehler, said he sees the potential value in cannabis for treatment of opioid addiction, chronic pain and anxiety. Source: The Bend Bulletin on 2018 Oregon Governor race Feb 24, 2017

On Government Reform: End pay-to-play politics, to restore confidence

Rep. Buehler, said that he plans to introduce legislation restricting pay-to-play politics--a scenario in which businesses, nonprofits or labor unions holding contracts with the state give campaign contributions to elected officials with sway over those contracts. Buehler told The Oregonian/OregonLive that some businesses or unions are "too cozy" with elected officials who oversee their contracts. He said its "clear" that pay-to-play "loopholes" ought to be closed." Source: The Oregonian on 2018 Oregon Governor race Feb 13, 2017

On Families & Children: Early supporter of marriage equality for all citizens

I want to underscore my support for marriage equality and my commitment to equality and civil rights for all Oregonians. I was proud to be an early supporter of the freedom to marry for Oregonians. And during my first legislative session, I supported legislation to ban the cruel practice of "conversion therapy". Patty and I have sought to live our lives and raise our children with an open mind, a tolerant heart and an extended hand of friendship - even with those we may have little in common. Source: Facebook posting on 2018 Oregon Governor race Jun 30, 2016

The above quotations are from 2018 Oregon Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts from 2018 Oregon Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Knute Buehler. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Dec 11, 2018