Southern Oregon's gubernatorial debate highlights

NBC5 hosted the gubernatorial debate tonight between Governor Kate Brown and Candidate Bud Pierce.

During the full hour we asked 22 questions ranging from Measure 97 to Oregon accepting refugees.

“I got into public service because I wanted to be a voice for the voiceless,” Brown said.

“It’s one people… one race… the human race, and if we pull together as Oregonians, we will create the great future that we want us all to have,” Pierce said.

In the race for Oregon governor, the fourth debate brought Democrat and Standing Governor Kate Brown and Republican Candidate Dr. Bud Pierce to Southern Oregon where the two sounded off on key issues including Josephine County’s lack of money to adequately fund law enforcement.

“I see our Oregon State Police Troopers as being key to protecting and providing public safety particularly in our rural communities throughout the state of Oregon. So as governor, I will fight to make sure that we have additional troopers on the front lines to make sure that our communities throughout Oregon can be safe,” Brown said.

“I would be committed to legislatively ensuring that basic services are maintained, and certainly if you have a level of prosperity and people don’t want to pay for that, there’s going to be a disagreement and a negotiation about it,” Pierce said.

The two shared varying viewpoints on sex trafficking.

“A combination of better law enforcement, prevention, and then once the events are happening… easy ways to cry out for help and get the help that’s needed,” Pierce said.

“I believe we need to work to invest in a safety net and services for survivors help them leave, but we also need to make sure that we have adequate shelters available,” Brown said.

Dr. Pierce also voiced concern multiple times about Kate Brown’s plans for the state’s budget.

“I do wish she would put out a budget because again that issue is around 97,” Pierce said.

While Governor Brown criticized his proposed budget.

“It ignores the fact Oregon’s population is increasing, and it ignores the fact that federal dollars–particularly on the Oregon Health Plan–aren’t reducing,” Brown said.