Rick Perry: Campaign Issues 2016

Updated February 21, 2017 | Factmonster Staff
 

Where he stands

 
Rick Perry

Rick Perry, May 2015
Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore

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Economy

  • A staunch fiscal and social conservative, Perry has vowed not to increase taxes and will cut them for small businesses
  • Would make job creation a priority of his administration
  • Says he will work to reduce the deficit and cut spending and order a reform of entitlement programs

Immigration

  • Against "sancutary cities" for illegal immigrants and favors legislation that would allow local officers to request information on a person's immigration status
  • Favored a Texas law that allows the children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates at Texas colleges and universities
  • As governor of Texas, increased security operations along the border with Mexico and increased funding for border security
  • Wants to protect the border from Mexican drug cartels

Energy/Environment

  • As governor of Texas, Perry endorsed giving $5,000 to residents who buy plug-in hybrid vehicles
  • Believes in exploring untapped domestic oil resources. He signed legislation that accelerated the construction of 11 new coal plants
  • Has called global warming "all one contrived phony mess that is falling apart under its own weight"
  • Opposes a cap-and-trade energy tax

Domestic Issues

  • Strongly opposes same-sex marriage and civil unions
  • Favors a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage
  • Opposes Obama's healthcare reform and wants to overturn it, calling the so-called Obamacare "the greatest intrusion on individual freedom in a generation"
  • In calling for the repeal of the new healthcare legislation, Perry has asked for block grants, ending mandates, and innovation at the local level
  • Would introduce medical liability reforms, similar to those implemented in Texas, that have reduced the number of frivolous lawsuits and increased the number of practicing physicians in Texas
—Jennie Wood
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