Rick Perry: Campaign Issues 2016

Updated February 21, 2017 | Factmonster Staff Updated by an Factmonster Editor on February 21, 2017

Where he stands

Rick Perry, May 2015
Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore

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

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

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

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

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