Wayne Messam in Interviews during 2018-2020
On Education:
One-time forgiveness of student debt, increase Pell Grants
Messam proposes forgiving everyone's student debt. Federal loans would be forgiven, and private loans would be paid by the federal government.
Messam projects this would cost $1.5 trillion. He wants to pay that cost by increasing payroll taxes for companies with more than 50 employees by 0.5% and by reversing Trump's 2017 corporate tax cuts.
He argues this would stimulate the economy, as those relieved of debts will invest in homes, businesses, and further education.
As this would be a one-time cancellation, Messam wants to increase federal Pell Grant money and expand free community college programs.
Source: Vox.com on 2020 Democratic primary
Jul 2, 2019
On Gun Control:
No guns for mentally ill, domestic abusers, watch lists
He proposes restrictions on firearm access. He does not propose taking away everyone's guns, but he does want to empower law enforcement officials to thoroughly ensure people suffering from mental illness,
people on national security watch lists, and those with records of domestic abuse cannot access firearms in any way.
Source: Vox.com on 2020 Democratic primary
Jul 2, 2019
On Abortion:
Trust women to make their own decisions; period
Campaign advisers for Messam, the mayor of Miramar, Florida, said the candidate is in favor of allowing federal dollars to be used to provide abortions.
On Messam's campaign website, women's health is the issue area with the shortest description. It includes a single sentence: "I trust women to make their own decisions when it comes to their health. Period."
Source: PBS News Hour 2019 coverage of 2020 Democratic primary
Jun 7, 2019
On Education:
Address immediate student debt with one-time cancellation
Before tackling college affordability, Messam wants to provide relief for the nearly "one-in-four" American adults up against ongoing student loan payments. He has proposed a one-time, in-full federal government debt cancellation plan,
in which borrowers would receive confirmation that their debt was forgiven within 60 days. Messam sees the $1. 5 trillion plan -- which would be paid for in part by rescinding the 2017 tax cut package -- as "a strong stimulus to a stalling economy."
Source: Axios.com on 2020 Democratic primary
Apr 22, 2019
On Energy & Oil:
Criticized Trump for quitting Paris Climate Accord
Messam signed a letter that criticized
President Trump for his plan to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord.
Source: Axios.com on 2020 Democratic primary
Apr 22, 2019
On Gun Control:
Sued state of Florida to allow municipal gun control
Messam has worked to enact local gun regulations in Miramar to make a 5,000-seat amphitheater in the city gun-free.
He, along with 5 other mayors, sued Florida Gov. Rick Scott last year to eliminate a state law that penalizes local officials if they enact municipal gun regulations.
Source: Axios.com on 2020 Democratic primary
Apr 22, 2019
On Abortion:
Abortion issue demagogued, should be left to the mother
"It should be left to the mother. I think there's a misnomer in terms of the prevalence of 'late-term abortions' when over 90 percent of abortions take place within the first 21 weeks. I think when a woman is forced with a tough decision to abort a
pregnancy, it's tough enough by itself to have to make such a personal decision. Right now in our country this issue has been demagogued, and I think that primarily us men are making the decisions in the laws."
Source: WBUR FM (Boston) on 2020 Democratic primary
Apr 9, 2019
On Energy & Oil:
Ran pro-climate firm, worked on "greenest school" in SE
"After my NFL career was cut short, my wife and I started a construction management company where we are a climate conscious company and we
helped build the greenest school in the southeastern United States reaching LEED Platinum."
Source: WBUR FM (Boston) on 2020 Democratic primary
Apr 9, 2019
On Energy & Oil:
Address climate change to create jobs & keep us competitive
"This administration's own report stated that if we don't take immediate action on climate change, in 10 years we could have irreversible damage to the air we breathe and the water that we drink. Yet this administration is not even following its own
report. America needs to be a leader in terms of being good stewards to our environment. It'll put Americans to work. It will improve the quality of life for Americans and make our communities safer and keep us more competitive as a nation."
Source: WBUR FM (Boston) on 2020 Democratic primary
Apr 9, 2019
On Gun Control:
Reduce gun violence by 50%
"Did you know that in Florida that mayors cannot even discuss gun safety? The governor can remove us from office, fine us $5,000, and our city can be exposed to lawsuits by anyone who says that any measures that we take violate their rights.
I decided to sue the state of Florida. I believe that cities should have a say whether we want to allow assault-style weapons in our parks. My goal is to reduce gun violence by 50 percent, and by the end of my administration to end it in total."
Source: WBUR FM (Boston) on 2020 Democratic primary
Apr 9, 2019
On Health Care:
Medicare-for-All okay; open to any expansion of health care
"I think that health care should be a matter of civil right in this country. There's been some discussion about 'Medicare for All,' it seems to be the simplest reform idea. I'm open to any reform measure that expands coverage for all people. The
American people spend more on health care than any other wealthy country and yet we receive less for it. We must make sure that everyone in this country have access to quality health care. I look forward to all the policy options to make that a reality."
Source: WBUR FM (Boston) on 2020 Democratic primary
Apr 9, 2019
On Tax Reform:
Shifting tax burden from business not in national interest
"I think when we all realize that we're in the same boat, and when we can put those tax cuts and resources and invest back into Americans, when businesses are paying their fair share so that all the burden isn't on the working class--I think not
only are we better as Americans, but we're better as a nation. And I think it's a matter of our economic security that we all realize that we're all in the same boat. And that's coming from a person who's a business owner."
Source: WBUR FM (Boston) on 2020 Democratic primary
Apr 9, 2019
On Education:
First priority is resolving current student debt
"The mayor firmly believes you cannot just move to debt-free college when student loan debt is stifling the American dream today," [Messam's] aide told Buzzfeed. "We're declaring it as an issue that threatens the economic security of this country.
We don't have to walk into another Great Recession.""We must resolve the 1.5 trillion in student loan debt and give Americans a chance at the American Dream," the aide told Buzzfeed. "Americans struggling to make ends meet should be the priority."
Source: Essence Magazine on 2020 Democratic primary
Mar 18, 2019
Page last updated: Dec 01, 2021