WHERE THEY STAND: GOP Candidates On The Issues
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – A look at where the Republican candidates for governor stand on some key issues ahead of the March 2 primaries. Early voting begins Tuesday, Feb. 16.
– Rick Perry: Opposes abortion in all cases except rape, incest or when the mother’s life is in danger.
– Kay Bailey Hutchison: Supports the right to choose an abortion before a fetus is viable; also supports abortion restrictions such as the parental consent law and a ban on late-term abortions.
– Debra Medina: Opposes abortion in all situations.
– Perry: Says federal government has failed to adequately secure the Texas-Mexico border; favors using state troopers and grant money to beef up state and local law enforcement along the border.
– Hutchison: Cast U.S. Senate votes in favor of wall construction along parts of the border; wants to require state agencies to use federal “E-Verify” program to ensure state workers’ legal status.
– Medina: Calls for dispatching Texas National Guard and Texas State Guard troops to border; Claims that Texas can unilaterally withdraw from international treaties that encourage trade with Mexico; promises to use state government to deport illegal aliens.
– Perry: Has asked state agencies to propose 5 percent cuts in their in their 2010-2011 spending in preparation for an anticipated state budget shortfall; has proposed a constitutional amendment that would make it more difficult for the Legislature to raise taxes.
– Hutchison: Calls the state’s revised business tax, signed by Perry property-tax appraisal reforms to empower homeowners to fight ever-rising appraisals.
– Medina: Has proposed eliminating property taxes in favor of higher sales taxes; promises to work to reduce the size and scope of state government.
– Perry: Believes toll roads and private-public partnerships will have to be part of future road-building plans.
– Hutchison: Calls for a sweeping audit of the Texas Department of Transportation and would appoint a special committee to find areas of wasteful spending in the agency that could be eliminated; she has proposed a series of reforms, including new restrictions on toll road construction and any future tax increases, also wants to begin developing high-speed rail; she has offered few details on how to pay for it all.
– Medina: Opposes all new taxes, tolls, debt or new fees; Proposes audit of TxDOT and would make sure all gas tax dollars are spent solely on transportation, rather than being diverted as they now are.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
