John Gregg in 2016 IN Governor's race
On Crime:
Adult Protective Services is underfunded and understaffed
Q: How will you strengthen laws to protect seniors from abuse and financial exploitation?John R. Gregg: Abuse and exploitation of vulnerable Hoosiers is a problem that will be a focus of my administration. A look at our numbers compared to other
states shows that our Adult Protective Services (APS) system is underfunded and understaffed. In office I will work with legislative leaders to make increasing funding for APS a top budget priority and support increasing penalties for abuse and
financial crimes against the elderly. I've also pledged to examine and review all state law enforcement agencies. As we conduct these reviews we'll make sure that Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) , our prosecutors,
and law enforcement are working together to properly protect our seniors.
Eric J. Holcomb: My administration will support county prosecutors by giving them the tools and resources they need to protect vulnerable adults at the local level.
Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2016 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Oct 31, 2016
On Health Care:
Protect CHOICE program for seniors aging at home
Q: How will you help expand Indiana seniors' access to quality services provided at home in the community (HCBS)?John R. Gregg: We know seniors want to age in their homes. It's healthier and cheaper. As Governor I will protect the CHOICE program
and work to increase matching funds to utilize more Medicaid Aged and Disabled Waivers so more folks can stay in their homes and independent. I will also work with community organizations and hospitals to create public private partnerships which will
allow them to provide more local supportive services including home healthcare, home modifications, and ways to reduce social isolation. All of these things together reduce expensive hospital visits and institutionalized care and save taxpayers money.
Eric J. Holcomb: I will continue a new Medicaid waiver service called Structured Family Caregiving (SFC). The caregivers in this model, frequently family members, are paid and supported by a Medicaid certified SFC provider.
Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2016 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Oct 31, 2016
On Social Security:
Pledge to always protect & strengthen Social Security system
Q: What would you do to reverse the trend of under saving for retirement?John R. Gregg: It has to be easier for people to save. We should provide incentivizes to employers, and saving for retirement should always be an opt-out, not opt-in, system.
I will explore policies like AARP's proposed HERO legislation that give employers and employees better access to retirement savings opportunities through a state run portal. Creating employee saving opportunities aren't easy for small businesses who
employ a majority of Hoosiers. We need to explore fiscally responsible ways to help them provide those benefits. I also pledge to always advocate federally to protect and strengthen our Social Security system.
Eric J. Holcomb: My administration cannot impose additional burdens upon private industry in the form of mandates to offer retirement plans. I would encourage employers to offer direct deposit to individual retirement accounts.
Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2016 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Oct 31, 2016
On Crime:
Push community policing through federal COPS resources
The primary goal of community policing is for officers to work with residents, neighborhood groups, and public and private organizations to identify and resolve issues that affect the quality of life in specific neighborhoods, regions or entire cities.
Community policing stresses prevention, early identification of potential issues--including acts of terrorism--and timely intervention to deal with problems before they become unwieldy.
The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) is dedicated to promoting the community policing approach to law enforcement across the nation. COPS provides technical assistance and training resources, including grants, to assist local law enforcement
agencies with improving community relationships and crime prevention. A Gregg/Hale administration will work with COPS to ensure Hoosier communities have access to these valuable resources for improving safety in our neighborhoods.
Source: 2016 Indiana governor campaign website GreggForGovernor.com
Aug 31, 2016
On Crime:
Transparent investigations of deadly force incidents
Unfortunately, our country has seen an increase in the number of deadly force incidents between law enforcement officers and citizens. A Gregg/Hale administration will be proactive in providing law enforcement the necessary tools and training to
properly protect our citizens and themselves during volatile encounters. As Governor, John Gregg will promote investigations conducted by trained and independent law enforcement professionals to ensure a thorough, lawful and unbiased review.
The Gregg/Hale team believes that in order maintain public trust and build positive bridges of communication in situations where lives are lost, transparency and thorough investigations are an essential part of the process.
Governor Gregg will support an open, honest and productive environment between the public and police in order to eliminate any ambiguity and apprehension.
Source: 2016 Indiana governor campaign website GreggForGovernor.com
Aug 31, 2016
On Environment:
Reducing air pollution reduces healthcare costs for decades
Unfortunately, Indiana ranks first in the nation for air pollution, which is more than just a bad statistic. Our poor air quality is linked to Indiana having a higher rate of cancer and lung disease deaths than cleaner states. In addition,
Indiana ranks highest in the nation for air pollutants that cause increased respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing, and difficult or painful breathing.Not only are these very real health consequences for
Hoosiers, but it increases the cost of healthcare in Indiana to treat people sickened by the air they breathe. In fact, over half the health care savings from reducing air pollution would come from Medicare, the public health care program for
senior citizens.
Improving our air quality will not only directly improve health for Hoosier senior citizens, but it will also reduce the tax burden on Hoosiers by reducing demand for expensive health care for generations to come.
Source: 2016 Indiana governor campaign website GreggForGovernor.com
Aug 31, 2016
On Free Trade:
Unified strategy to promote Hoosier brand worldwide
A Gregg administration will work to rebuild Indiana's world-class network of trade offices and export assistance programs that supported small and medium-sized business. These offices and programs help to link Hoosier businesses with economic engines
around the world, translating to new business opportunities and more jobs. Indiana now maintains only 5 international offices, down from 14 in previous administrations.In addition, Governor Gregg will develop an integrated, coordinated state
export strategy that leverages the strength of existing initiatives. There is currently no coordinated state strategy to ensure a comprehensive approach to economic development.
To increase access to resources, Indiana will work closely with the
US Department of Commerce to maximize grant funding and promote Indiana as a pilot state for export initiatives. Gregg will develop a unified strategy to create and promote a Hoosier "brand" recognized around the world.
Source: 2016 Indiana governor campaign website GreggForGovernor.com
Aug 31, 2016
On Homeland Security:
Increase federal vet benefits by 10%, plus state services
- The benefits veterans earn during their services are mostly federal benefits. As such, John Gregg's administration will work with federal officials to draw down new sources of federal funding to support Hoosier veterans and their families.
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Gregg supports innovative policies like full "freedom of choice" that will allow veterans to choose health care providers closer to their homes.
- Governor Gregg will support the creation of a marketing and outreach campaign to help veterans
learn benefits for which they are eligible and how to access them.
- Gregg will conduct a comprehensive review of the current job placement system, evaluate what is working and reform what is not.
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If Indiana increased the amount of benefits received by our veterans by just 10 percent--a completely reasonable number--an additional $853 million would flow into the state every year, generating approximately $17 million in tax revenues.
Source: 2016 Indiana governor campaign website GreggForGovernor.com
Aug 31, 2016
On Technology:
$16B for water projects via Infrastructure Bank
Gregg understands the challenges Indiana faces when it comes to our aging and outdated water infrastructure. Hoosiers see the sewage overflow in the streets and in their basements. Parents get the letters from schools where water tested positive for
lead & water fountains are closed. Businesses cannot expand into rural areas where there is no infrastructure to provide water & process wastewater. Over the next 20 years, Indiana will need $16 billion to address these infrastructure needs for drinking
water, combined sewer overflow, wastewater, & storm water drainage. If we do not address Indiana's deteriorating water/sewer infrastructure now, the problems will only get worse and more expensive. This is a public health, economic development and
quality of life issue that can no longer be ignored.A Gregg/Hale administration plans to address this need head on. Local governments will be able to apply to the Hoosier State Infrastructure Bank for water infrastructure improvement projects.
Source: 2016 Indiana governor campaign website GreggForGovernor.com
Aug 31, 2016
On Civil Rights:
Supports equal pay for equal work
In the last campaign, we talked about leveling the playing field and eliminating the pay gap. However, since that time, Governor Pence has done nothing and the problem has gotten worse.
As governor, this will be a priority in my administration. I will lead by example and will work with the public, private and non-profit sectors to take this disparity head on.
Source: 2016 Indiana Governor campaign website GreggForGovernor.com
Jan 12, 2016
On Civil Rights:
Civil rights statute should support sexual orientation
Mike Pence has proven he's just an officeholder, not a leader. On issue after issue critical to the state of Indiana, he passes the buck. His refusal to take a stand for equality is unconscionable given the fact that he created this mess, which continues
to damage Indiana's economy and reputation. I encourage Governor Pence to join me in supporting updating our civil rights statute to include sexual orientation and gender identity so Indiana can begin to move forward again.
Source: 2016 Indiana Governor campaign website GreggForGovernor.com
Jan 12, 2016
On Civil Rights:
Supports the legality of gay marriage in Indiana
He fully sup-ports re-peal-ing RFRA, the re-li-gious free-dom bill.
In In-di-ana the law of the land is to al-low same-sex mar-riage, and he sup-ports that, and as gov-ernor he's not go-ing to fo-cus on so-cial is-sues, he's mov-ing ahead.
Source: National Journal on 2016 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Dec 20, 2015
On Principles & Values:
Calls himself a "gun-totin' Bible-quotin' Democrat"
Describing himself as a "gun-totin,' Bible-quotin,' Southern Indiana Democrat,"
Mr. Gregg had a long career in the Indiana House of Representatives, where he served from 1987 to 2003. He was speaker of the House from 1996 to the end of his tenure.
Source: Washington Times on 2016 Indiana gubernatorial race
Dec 7, 2015
On Technology:
Roads and infrastructure are a priority
If elected in 2016, Gregg promised to work across party lines to develop a sustainable road funding plan that includes a state-funded rebuilding of the
Cline Avenue Bridge and work to attract high-paying jobs, not just a lot of minimum wage jobs.
Source: Northwest Indiana Times on 2016 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Oct 29, 2015
On Civil Rights:
Protect LGBT rights; religious rights are already protected
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act was designed to keep local and state laws from "substantially burdening" the deeply-held religious principles of individuals, businesses or religious institutions. Gregg doesn't see it that way. He feels the bill
was a play to stir up the hardcore right-wing base. It painted the state in a negative light, something which could have economic repercussions for years to come. "We will never know the dollar loss that that has cost, and is costing and will cost us,"
he said. "A person that books acts at one of Indiana's largest public universities, told me that groups did not want to come to Indiana because we did not have an LGBT statute."
Both sides of the issue deserve to be heard, Gregg said, but the First
Amendment gives all the right and freedom to worship as they choose, and the extra legislation was unnecessary.
Gregg says the only social issue-related bill he wouldn't veto was adding protections for the LGBT community to a civil rights statute.
Source: Kokomo Tribune on 2016 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Sep 24, 2015
On Drugs:
Needle exchange helps stop HIV virus
Officials report the HIV outbreak has mainly been fueled by individuals sharing needles used to inject prescription painkillers. John Gregg finds Gov. Pence's initial hesitation to address the issue troublesome. Pence signed legislation in May which
allowed the installation of a needle-exchange program, but by that time, the number of infected people already had reached 150."You know, that's asinine," Gregg said. "I mean, we've got to realize there's a drug problem.
And to say that we would not do a needle exchange, that's irresponsible. They're going to be using the drugs, and we might as well see to it that that's a great way to stop the HIV virus.
His attitude on that is akin to people who don't want to talk about sex education because if we don't talk about it, then, you know, the kids won't be procreating. I mean, how do you think we all got here?"
Source: Kokomo Tribune on 2016 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Sep 24, 2015
On Drugs:
Legalize the medicinal use of marijuana
The issue of legalizing the medicinal use of marijuana is close to Gregg's heart. He lost his father Donald about a year ago to cancer of the esophagus, an ailment which eventually metastasized into his brain. The last year of Donald's life was spent in
hospice care, where the agony of cancer severely limited his ability to enjoy his time left with loved ones. Although it was not, marijuana should've been part of his father's pain treatment, should Donald have wanted it, Gregg said."If a doctor would
have told me that's something you need to consider, why shouldn't we have?" Gregg asked. "I mean, my dad had lived 80-plus years, and his quality of life his last few weeks of life was not good. And there are some people with chronic illnesses that
it helps. We've got a lot of young men coming back from overseas with PTSD. That's the crime. We send these young people over there to fight and make our world safer because of terrorism, and they come back with issues."
Source: Kokomo Tribune on 2016 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Sep 24, 2015
On Drugs:
Decriminalize marijuana; that's different than legalizing
On the issue of decriminalization, Gregg vowed, if elected, his administration would study the penalties on the low end of the issue, like possession of small amounts. "What I would want to stress to people is decriminalization does not
mean legalization," he said. "Not everyone remembers that or realizes that. I would imagine if we went over to the
Howard County Jail, we'd find the citizens of Howard County are paying their precious tax dollars to keep some kid in there who had a joint or two. I realize that it's against the law, but the fact of the matter is,
I want my law enforcement in Indiana to look at child abusers and rapists and murderers and people who do armed robbery in stores and homes."
Source: Kokomo Tribune on 2016 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Sep 24, 2015
On Drugs:
Focus on serious crimes, not minor drug offenses
I would imagine if we went over to the Howard County Jail, we'd find ... the citizens of Howard County are paying tax dollars to keep some kid in there who had a joint or two.
I realize that it's against the law, but the fact of the matter is, I want my law enforcement in Indiana to look at child abusers and rapists and murderers and people who do armed robbery in stores and homes.
Source: Kokomo Tribune on 2016 Indiana gubernatorial race
Sep 24, 2015
On Education:
Totally against Indiana's school voucher program
Gregg is concerned about Indiana's school voucher program, something he says he's "totally against." He sees the program as taking money out of public schools, an issue that desperately needs addressed.Charter schools, on the other hand, are here to
stay. The problem Gregg sees is when charter school legislation was passed, there was accountability in the fact teachers at those schools had to be licensed.
That's no longer the case.
"I think what we need to do is rather than continue down this road, we need to kind of take a breath, sit back and look, and really take a hard look and see what's working, and what's not," Gregg said. "And
I think there's a lot of pride of ownership in a lot of this education reform. People were so heaven-bent on making this happen that they don't want to admit maybe it needs tweaked or it has problems with it."
Source: Kokomo Tribune on 2016 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Sep 24, 2015
On Civil Rights:
2012: No same-sex marriage; 2015: marriage & more for LGBT
Gov. Pence as an incumbent now has a track record to defend. That gives Gregg the opportunity to point out one of Pence's main vulnerabilities--his handling of the state's Religious Freedom Restoration
Act, which some considered to be a direct slap at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Hoosiers.
Yet, on gay rights, Gregg's evolving opinion on the issue may become a challenge with more progressive members of the Democratic Party. In 2012, Gregg opposed same-sex marriage. But this summer, not only did he express support for the
U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage across the country, he also is in favor of expanding Civil Rights protections for LGBT Hoosiers.
Source: Indy Star on 2016 Indiana gubernatorial race
Aug 24, 2015
On Gun Control:
I'm a gun-totin', Bible-quotin' Southern Indiana Democrat
I've wondered about the hesitation Democrats seem to have with nominating John Gregg again. Some think he blew it in 2012 and simply don't trust him to run a good campaign in 2016. But the biggest problem for Gregg may be that he's portrayed himself as
a `gun-totin', Bible-quotin' Southern Indiana Democrat` in a party whose base is increasing more progressive & nearing extinction in Southern Indiana. In short, they want a real lefty, which Gregg has spent a career trying to convince people he is not.
Source: Indiana Forefront on 2016 Indiana gubernatorial race
Aug 10, 2015
On Civil Rights:
Hoosiers welcome others inclusively; RFRA is divisive
While Pence has been focused on social issues like the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) that Gregg says can divide Indiana, the Democrat candidate said he is all about jobs, education and infrastructure. "Indiana's about being inclusive
and welcoming all peoples whether we agree with them, look like them, act like them or anything. That's Hoosier hospitality," Gregg added. Indiana is not about the RFRA "that wasn't even necessary" or any [other similar] social initiatives, Gregg said.
Source: Banner-Graphic coverage of 2016 Indiana gubernatorial race
Jun 14, 2015
On Jobs:
Focus on living-wage jobs, not on social issues
"What we're about is jobs, good-paying jobs," the 16-year veteran of the Indiana House of Representatives who spent six years as speaker of the House said. "We're going to work to close that income gap. It's not just about jobs, it's about living-wage
jobs. It's about taking advantage of our opportunities in technology."The need to "work with local government rather than against it" is something Gregg believes is necessary to strengthen Indiana for the future. "We need to quit hamstringing
local government and good things will fall into place," he suggested.
"Sadly, under Mike Pence, Indiana has been given a bad name.
While working Hoosiers are falling further and further behind, he's been focused on social issues and telling people how they should live their lives. That's not the business of a governor or any government."
Source: Banner-Graphic coverage of 2016 Indiana gubernatorial race
Jun 14, 2015
On Civil Rights:
Sexual orientation & gender identity are civil rights issues
Two social issues he is pushing. The first is full repeal of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. When I suggested that the last thing Indiana needs is Round 2 of RFRA,
Gregg insisted that there's strong support for repeal around the state. The second social issue that Gregg plans to champion is the addition of sexual orientation and gender identity to the state's civil rights law.
Source: Indianapolis Star on 2016 Indiana Gubernatorial race
May 13, 2015
On Drugs:
Study medical marijuana legalization before legalizing
In late March 2013, in response to Gov. Pence's criticism of legislation that rewrites Indiana's criminal code to lower drug penalties, a Senate committee amended the criminal code reform bill to make punishment for marijuana crimes tougher than
the legislation's Republican authors had originally proposed. House Bill 1006 supporters say the intent of the bill is divert drug users out of state prisons and into treatment programs, while reserving the prisons for the worst offenders.
Pence waited till mid-March to weigh in on House Bill 1006 and did so at a press briefing with TV and radio reporters, telling them, "I think we need to focus on reducing crime, not reducing penalties."During a 2012 gubernatorial debate in
Zionsville, Gov. Mike Pence said he opposed any marijuana law reforms and viewed marijuana as a "gateway" drug. His Democrat opponent John Gregg generally agreed, but added that medical marijuana would be worth studying.
Source: Howey politics on 2016 Indiana gubernatorial race
Jan 2, 2014
On Education:
Teachers must be a part of the education reform conversation
I want, when we're talking education reform, to give teachers a voice. I want us to also listen to the principal, listen to the superintendent, a parent, school board member. Changes are going to be implemented by the classroom teachers and the
principals. So to cut to the quick, I just don't see how you reform public education by scapegoating the teachers and public education.
Source: Indiana Public Media on 2016 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Sep 28, 2012
On Education:
I am not a fan of vouchers
The day I'm elected is when the war on public education and public educators, our schoolteachers, quits.
I'm not a fan of vouchers, not one bit at all. Those are public tax dollars.
Source: Indiana Public Media on 2016 Indiana Gubernatorial race
Sep 28, 2012
On Energy & Oil:
Indiana is the Saudi Arabia of coal; use it!
Democrat John Gregg promised to promote more effective use of Indiana's abundant, low-cost energy resources to create jobs if he's elected governor. The former coal company worker said Indiana should lure manufacturers with the promise of cheap energy
and encourage them to make the components that could help the state become energy self-sufficient.`The windmills that you see when you drive up I-65 need to be made here, in Indiana,` Gregg said. `They should sit on steel that was poured in
Gary. Their wiring should come from Fort Wayne and their composite blades made in Lafayette.`
Gregg said he `vehemently` opposes federal regulations that may limit the use of coal to generate electricity. The federal government should instead look to
Indiana as a model for how best to use different types of energy, he said. `We're the Saudi Arabia of coal. Technology has improved the vastness of our wind capabilities. Natural gas is booming,` Gregg said, while also touting methane and biofuels.
Source: Northwest Indiana Times on 2016 Indiana gubernatorial race
Aug 29, 2012
On Energy & Oil:
Nuclear plants have safety concerns; not for Indiana
Former Indiana House speaker John Gregg was skeptical of a plan announced by his opponent, Republican Mike Pence, to bring nuclear energy to Indiana, the only
Midwest state without nuclear power plants. `I don't think you could get the permits, the regulations, the sign-offs and everything done to get a nuclear plant,`
Gregg said. `I have no idea how many years it would take, but I'm pretty sure it would take more than one governor's term.` Gregg said many
Hoosiers also would have legitimate safety concerns about nuclear power following the 2011 nuclear meltdowns in Fukushima, Japan.
Source: Northwest Indiana Times on 2016 Indiana gubernatorial race
Aug 29, 2012
On Tax Reform:
Recommends slashing corporate taxes
Gregg unveiled his two-part tax plan. One part is to eliminate the corporate income tax for homegrown Hoosier businesses and for companies that relocate to Indiana.
Two--reduce the tax burden for all companies that hire Hoosiers or make job-creating investments in factories, equipment, or research and development in Indiana. Gregg says more corporate tax rate cuts are needed.
Source: Eagle Country Online on 2016 Indiana gubernatorial race
May 17, 2012
Page last updated: Nov 30, 2021