dallasnews.com
Associated Press
02/13/2010
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.
ABORTIONRick 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.
BORDER SECURITY and IMMIGRATIONPerry: 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.
BUDGET and TAXESPerry: 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 under court order in 2006, a “tragic mistake.” Supports 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.
TRANSPORTATION FUNDINGPerry: 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.
WORTH NOTING:Perry: Opposes federal intervention in state policy-making, even rejecting money for schools and unemployment funds so as not to have to agree to federal changes.
Hutchison: Although she violated her own pledge to serve only two terms in the U.S. Senate, Hutchison says she would seek to restrict the governorship to two four-year terms.
Medina: Argues that Texas can ignore and “nullify” federal mandates and programs environmental regulation and international trade agreements; Also doesn’t rule out Texas seceding from the U.S.
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