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Alan Bates' Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
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Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Alan Bates has refused to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2014 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests.

What is the Political Courage Test?
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.

Oregon State Legislative Election 2000 National Political Awareness Test

The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning abortion.

a) Abortions should always be illegal.
X b) Abortions should always be legally available.
c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
X d) Abortions should be legal when pregnancy results from incest, rape or the life of the woman is endangered.
e) Abortions should be limited by waiting periods and notification requirements as decided by each state government.
f) Support prohibition of the dilation and extraction procedure, also known as "partial-birth" abortion.
X g) Support "buffer zones" at abortion clinics by requiring demonstrators to remain a certain distance from doorways and driveways.
h) Prohibit Oregon Health Plan from funding abortions and organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
X i) Other
Other for "f" While I am pro-choice, this issue becomes increasingly complex as a pregnancy progresses. I would have to look at legislation and proposals on a case-by-case basis prior to my decision. Other for "h" It is difficult for me to advocate for government funding of abortion for some when the procedure is sometimes not covered for those having private insurance and for many women who do not qualify for public assistance or the Oregon Health Plan Again, here, as above, it would depend on proposed legislation.

State Budget: Indicate the funding levels you will support for the following general categories.State Taxes: Indicate the tax levels you will support.

a) Education (Higher)
b) Education (K-12)
c) Environment
d) Health care
e) Law enforcement
f) Transportation and Highway infrastructure
g) Welfare
a) Alcohol taxes
b) Capital gains taxes
c) Cigarette taxes
d) Corporate taxes
e) Gasoline taxes
f) Income taxes (incomes below $75,000)
g) Income taxes (incomes above $75,000)
h) Inheritance taxes
i) Property taxes
j) Vehicle taxes
No l) Should Internet sales be taxed?
No m) Do you support a flat tax structure for state income taxes?
Yes n) Would you support returning any operating surplus to Oregon taxpayers?
Yes o) Would you support placing any operating surplus into a "rainy day" fund?
No p) Do you support using the entire tobacco settlement to create a health care trust fund?
Yes q) Do you support using a portion of the tobacco settlement to fund public schools?
Yes r) Do you support increasing the gas tax to pay for road repairs?
Undecided s) Do you support allowing federal income taxes over $3,000 per-couple to be deducted from state taxes?
Yes t) Do you support replacing the weight-mile truck tax with a diesel gas tax?
u) Other
The budget must be looked at in its entirety. How tax dollars will be allocated is dependent upon revenues and the outcomes of proposed initiatives on the November ballot. However, my priorities include education, health care, transportation, environmental resources, and public health and safety.
Taxes, just like expenditures, should be looked at in their entirety. It is difficult to predict areas of tax increases without knowing first where expenditures need to occur and if those needs outstrip our resources. Prior to considering tax increases of any sort, we must first look at what programs need to be funded and make every effort to fund them within our revenue stream.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) to address crime.

a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
b) Support contracting with private sector firms to build and/or manage state prisons.
X c) End parole for repeat violent offenders.
d) Support the use of the death penalty in Oregon.
X e) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
X f) Inform communities when a convicted sex offender moves into the community.
X g) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
h) Decriminalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
i) Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
X j) Support .08 blood-alcohol-content limit defining drunk driving.
k) Prosecute as adults, youths accused of a felony.
X l) Increase penalties for crimes committed on school grounds.
m) Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, or disability be prosecuted as hate crimes.
X n) Support programs that provide job training and placement services for at-risk youth.
X o) Ban the use of racial profiling by law enforcement officers.
X p) Other
Re: a, h & m These issues and others listed here have already been decided. Oregon is already locked into funding additional prisons and tougher sentencing guildines passed by Measure 11. general Most of the "principles" listed in this questionairre are complex issues with complex solutions and huge fiscal impacts. To be addressed properly, issues involving crime require that the State Legislature, Governor, the judicial system, our law enforcement community, and, most importantly, the taxpayer be at the table. It is improtant to know what a program will cost, what we hope will be the outcome, and how it will be funded before making final decisions.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.If so, how should this be accomplished?

X a) Increase state funds for professional development of public school teachers and administrators.
X b) Encourage private or corporate investment in public school programs.
c) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any participating school (public, private, religious).
d) Support charter schools where teachers and professionals receive authorization and funding to establish new schools.
X e) Increase state funds for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
X f) Increase state funds for hiring additional teachers.
g) Endorse teacher-led voluntary prayer in public schools.
h) Support posting the Ten Commandments in public schools.
i) Require public schools to administer high school exit exams.
j) Support national standards and testing of public school students.
k) Support teacher testing and reward teachers with merit pay.
l) Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
m) Provide funds to reduce K-12 public school class sizes.
X n) Other
Yes o) Do you support increasing state funds for education?
a) Increase personal income taxes.
X b) Increase corporate taxes.
c) Other
Other: "d" I don't believe in concepts, I believe in programs that work. While the concept of charter schools is a noble one, it could easily undermine the public school system. However, where charter schools have worked together with the public schools they have been more successful at meeeting individual needs and work quite well. Other: "L" The amount teachers are paid is both a local and union issue negotiated at that table. The legislature should not be dictating teacher's salaries. Other: "m" Again, class size is part of the bargaining process and has with it funding ramifications. However, there is little doubt of the correlation between class size and quality of education. It is with this kind of information that the legislature should create a vision for funding schools. It's not just about more classrooms and more technology---it has to do with the human aspect of student and teacher relationships. Other: "o" In general, as I indicated under Budget and Taxes, education is a funding priority for me. As business becomes more mobile in this high tech enviornment, I believe one of our best economic drawing cards is a strong public school system. However, once again, we do not know the outcomes of some of the November initiatives, which, if passed, will make funding increases in any part of the budget prohibitive.

Employment: Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning employment.Affirmative Action: Which of the following state agencies should take race and sex into account when making employment decisions?

X a) Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding, or relocating businesses.
b) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector to encourage investment and economic expansion.
X c) Support limits on cash damages in lawsuits against businesses and professionals for product liability or malpractice.
d) Increase funding for state job-training programs that re-train displaced workers or teach skills needed in today's job market.
X e) Other
a) College and university admissions
b) Public employment
c) State contracting
"a" Although, I generally approve of this sort of incentive programs, during this time of a strong economy I would need to examine proposals individually before saying definitively yes or no. Ironically, while Oregon's economic climate is stronger than ever in some areas, our revenues are not meeting the demands of exisiting programs much less the looming infrastructure issues with our tranportation system, public schools, libraries and civic structures. "b" Business regulations were originally put in place because private sector was not doing an acceptable job in policing itself. However, burdensome and ineffective regulations need to be revised or removed. "d" I am generally very supportive of job-training programs and opportunities to help people move up the ladder toward a living wage. At the same time it is important to look at each proposal and make and assessment based on its merits. For example, we may choose to focus re-training programs in areas hardest hit by economic shifts in the job market rather than a broad brush that includes areas doing well economically.
I believe we want to support an environment that encourages diversity and provides equal access. In general our state agencies should reflect the face of the communities they serve. However, I don not support programs that give preferences to anyone, male, female, minority, etc. just because of their status as such, regarless of qualifications.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.

X a) Encourage further development and use of alternative fuels to reduce pollution.
b) Support "self-audit" legislation which creates incentives for industries to audit themselves and clean up pollution.
c) Require a cost/benefit analysis to determine the economic impact of proposed environmental regulations before they are implemented.
d) Require states to fully compensate citizens when environmental regulations limit uses on privately owned land.
X e) Support funding for recycling programs in Oregon.
f) Request added flexibility from the federal government in enforcing and funding federal environmental regulations.
g) Suspend participation in un-funded, federally-mandated environmental protection legislation.
h) Restructure the electric utility industry to allow consumers to choose their power companies.
X i) Support removing dams along Oregon rivers to aid the salmon runs.
j) Create an interstate authority to manage the Columbia River.
k) Ease state land-use controls to allow more development in rural areas.
X l) Other
m) Should state environmental regulations be stricter than federal law?
re: "g" Although this was passed during the last legislative session it has not taken effect. I would strongly recommend revisiting this decision. In states where deregulation has been implemented the average citizen has suffered energy shortages, skyrocketing rates (up to 1000% increase) and industry has taken its business elsewhere. Few utilties were built without some investment of public money. Before we cannot turn back, we should re-think this decision and closely monitor other deregulated states then formulate legislation that helps eliminate problematic areas prior to deregulation. "i" I would support the removal of dams on a selective basis. "m" I believe states should have the ability to have stricter environmental regulations than federal law if they should choose.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding government reform.c) Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative candidates?

No a) Do you support the current limit on terms for Oregon Governors?
No b) Do you support the current limit on terms for Oregon State Senators and Representatives?
Yes a) Individual
Yes b) PAC
Yes c) Corporate
Yes d) Political Parties
Yes d) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
Yes e) Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?
Yes f) Do you support partial funding from state taxes for state level political campaigns?
g) Do you support voting on-line?
Yes h) Do you support on-line voter registration?
Yes i) Do you support increasing the number of signatures required to place an initiative on the ballot?
on a & b: By restricting the number of years a public servant may serve, we deprive ourselves of the opportunity to truly choose our elected officials. An elected official should be retained or voted out of office based on his or her performance while serving. on "f" While the voters will determine this issue in November, I can only support this if it leaves in place the Oregon Political Tax Credit for issue-based campaigns and those seeking office in local elections.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues.

a) Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting.
X b) Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
c) Ease state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
d) Repeal state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
e) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
X f) Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns.
X g) Require background checks of gun buyers at gun shows.
X h) Require a license for gun possession.
i) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health issues.

X a) Provide tax incentives to small businesses that provide health care to their employees.
X b) Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms, or state funded care where necessary.
X c) Transfer more existing Medicaid recipients into managed care programs.
X d) Use state funds to continue some Medicaid coverage for legal immigrants.
X e) Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
X f) Support a patient's right to sue his or her HMO.
X g) Support a patient's right to appeal to an administrative board of specialists when services are denied.
h) Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
i) Increase the minimum poverty level required to be eligible for the Oregon Health Plan.
X j) Other
on h: This is a responsibility of the fedral government. One state alone cannot do it. on i: Maintain current levels.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding social issues.

X a) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for their employees.
X b) Increase state funds to provide child care for children in low-income working families.
X c) Deny or suspend state-issued permits and licenses to parents who are delinquent in paying court-ordered child support.
X d) Increase state funding for Head Start in order to serve additional children and/or increase services from a half to a full day.
X e) Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
X f) Support state funding of programs for at-risk youth such as guaranteed college loans, and job training and placement.
X g) Phase out state-run video poker machines.
h) Other
Yes i) Should physician assisted suicide be legally available in Oregon?
Yes j) Should Oregon include sexual orientation in its anti-discrimination laws?
Yes k) Should Oregon recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
l) Should Oregon restrict marriage to a relationship only between a man and a woman?

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding welfare.

X a) Maintain current time limits on welfare benefits.
X b) Maintain the requirement that able-bodied recipients work in order to receive benefits.
X c) Increase employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
X d) Provide tax incentives to businesses that hire welfare recipients.
X e) Provide child care for welfare recipients who work.
X f) Increase access to public transportation for welfare recipients who work.
X g) Allow welfare recipients to remain eligible for benefits while saving money for education, starting a business, or buying a home.
X h) Limit benefits given to recipients if they have additional children while on welfare.
i) Eliminate government-funded welfare programs.
j) Redirect welfare funding to faith-based and community-based private organizations.
X k) Use federal TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) funds to expand state services to include the working poor.
l) Other
Please explain what your two main legislative priorities will be if elected. Please explain how you would obtain any additional government funding needed to implement these priorities.

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