Press Releases

Buehler on Clean Energy Jobs: Which is it?

Oct 23, 2017

 
 
For Immediate Release
Contact: Molly Woon
press [at] dpo [dot] org
 
Buehler on Clean Energy Jobs: Which is it? 
 
October 23, 2017 
 
PORTLAND — In an Oregonian Opinion piece authored by Republican Knute Buehler over the weekend, the gubernatorial candidate voiced his opposition to proposed legislation that would reduce carbon emissions, create good-paying green energy jobs, make Oregon businesses more competitive, and position Oregon to be an economic engine in the 21st century. 
 
However, Buehler’s latest stance contradicts statements he made earlier this year in support of programs like Clean Energy Jobs. 
 
On May 3, 2017 Buehler was interviewed on XRAY.FM and said: 
 
“I think we need to start moving away from, kind of, corporate taxes to more consumption-based taxes.  We should be taxing things that we don’t want and we should be moving away from taxes on things that we want. I mean, we should start taxing things like carbon and start thinking about a carbon tax and move away from taxing people’s income.”
 
“Buehler’s constant flip flopping on the issues highlights a disturbing trend of trying to play both sides of an issues,” said Jeanne Atkins, Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon. “There’s only one Knute Buehler, but he seems to have two positions on every issue.” 
 
Buehler’s attempt to have it both ways on clean energy comes on the heels of several other conflicting statements: 
  • Claims of being ‘pro-choice’ clash with his vote against the reproductive health equity bill in the 2017 legislative session. 
  • His purported concerns about racial profiling conflict with his vote against HB 2355 last session.
  • Previous messages of acceptance for the LGBTQ community are in stark contrast to his silence when his fellow Republicans showed their true, intolerant stripes. 
“Oregonians deserve to know where their candidates stand on the issues,” said Atkins. “This ‘trying to please everyone’ approach calls into question Knute Buehler’s integrity and leaves Oregonians wondering which Knute Buehler will show up on any given day of the week.” 
 
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