Gary Peters
202-225-5802
1130 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-2209
(248) 671-5332
P.O. Box 226
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48303-0226
1130 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-2209
(248) 671-5332
P.O. Box 226
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48303-0226
Biography
PETERS, Gary; BA, Political Science, Alma College; MBA, Finance, University of Detroit; JD, Wayne State Unisversity Law School; MA, Philosophy, Michigan State University; Finace and Business Economics Instructor, Wayne State University; Strategic Management and Business Policy Instructor, Oakland University at Rochester; arbitrator, New York Stock Exchange; Vice President, Investments, PaineWebber former branch office; US Naval Reserve Commissioned Officer, Atlantic Fleet's Combat Logistics.
Election Update
Rep. Peters was elected in 2008 to serve in the 111th Congress.
Committees
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY QUESTIONNAIRE
SEA and eighteen other science organizations came together to ask the 2008 congressional candidates and winners seven questions on science and technology policy. See what Gary Peters said:Innovation
Science and technology have been responsible for half of the growth of the American economy since World War II. But several recent reports question America’s continued leadership in these vital areas. What policies would you support to ensure that America remains the world leader in innovation?
For most of the past century, Michigan has been at the forefront of technological advancement and development, leading the way for the country and the world. Today, with new challenges from rising oil prices and the threat of climate change, we must once again take the lead in science and engineering to move our economy forward and create jobs.
We need a comprehensive plan that will provide increased investment in research at universities and the national laboratories and tax credits for companies to increase their R&D expenditures. These provisions are included in the America Competes Act - legislation passed by Congress and the type that I would support. In the same vein, we must also harness the entrepreneurial spirit and bring businesses and research centers together through public-private partnerships to develop new technologies.
We need a comprehensive plan that will provide increased investment in research at universities and the national laboratories and tax credits for companies to increase their R&D expenditures. These provisions are included in the America Competes Act - legislation passed by Congress and the type that I would support. In the same vein, we must also harness the entrepreneurial spirit and bring businesses and research centers together through public-private partnerships to develop new technologies.
Climate Change
The Earth’s climate is changing and there is concern about the potentially adverse effects of these changes on life on the planet. What is your position on the following measures that have been proposed to address global climate change—a cap-and-trade system, a carbon tax, increased fuel-economy standards, and research? Are there other policies you would support?
Global climate change is a serious concern and one that we must take immediate action to address. I support efforts by the federal government to promote investment in alternative energy and low-emissions technologies. Rather than setting stricter mandates, as some have proposed, I prefer incentives to reduce carbon emissions. By investing in public-private partnerships between businesses, universities, and government, Michigan and Michigan companies can lead the production of the next generation of vehicles using clean, renewable fuels. By promoting the emerging green economy, this approach will simultaneously address the problem of global warming and also create much needed jobs.
Energy
Many scientists and policymakers say energy security and sustainability are major problems facing the United States this century. What policies would you support to meet the demand for energy while ensuring an economically and environmentally sustainable future?
With the right leadership, sustainable energy and economic development can go hand in hand. Michigan is ready to take the lead in the development and production of renewable fuel vehicles and alternative energy technologies such as wind and solar power. In Congress, I will work to extend federal tax credits, and create new incentives, for investment in alternative energy technologies to help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and produce energy here at home.
We also need to have a greater focus on green construction. As with next generation vehicles, we also need to put research into developing environmentally-friendly construction techniques and materials. By providing federal tax credits for buildings that use renewable materials and are more energy efficient, we will be able to start taking the necessary strides towards making our country energy independent.
We also need to have a greater focus on green construction. As with next generation vehicles, we also need to put research into developing environmentally-friendly construction techniques and materials. By providing federal tax credits for buildings that use renewable materials and are more energy efficient, we will be able to start taking the necessary strides towards making our country energy independent.
Education
A comparison of 15-year-olds in 30 wealthy nations found that average science scores among U.S. students ranked 17th, while average U.S. math scores ranked 24th. What role do you think the federal government should play in preparing K-12 students for the science and technology driven 21st Century?
An investment in our children’s future is always a good investment. We must give our young people the tools they will need to succeed, not only in school, but in the high-tech science and research jobs of the 21st century. In pursuit of this goal, I will support efforts in Congress to dramatically increase the number of qualified math and science teachers in our classrooms. I will also fight to renew the federal government’s commitment to public education in order to ensure that all American children have access to a quality education.
Water
Thirty-nine states expect some level of water shortage over the next decade, and scientific studies suggest that a majority of our water resources are at risk. What policies would you support to meet demand for water resources?
Michigan is blessed with incredible natural resources – from the Great Lakes to our wetlands and rivers. I will work to protect and conserve those resources. I strongly support the goals of the Great Lakes Compact, which seeks to protect the water of the Great Lakes from exploitation. While in the Michigan Senate, I led efforts to protect our shorelines from mining operations and to ban directional drilling for oil in the Great Lakes. In Congress I will continue this work to keep Michigan’s Great Lakes safe from pollution, invasive species, exploitation, and drilling.
Research
For many years, Congress has recognized the importance of science and engineering research to realizing our national goals. Given that the next Congress will likely face spending constraints, what priority would you give to investment in basic research in upcoming budgets?
Investment in scientific research is absolutely essential to ensuring the future prosperity of the United States. We have an incredibly strong scientific and entrepreneurial tradition in this country. From Benjamin Franklin onward, we have been a world leader in the development of new technologies. Here in Michigan, we are home to some of the best researchers and engineers in the world, working at internationally-renowned universities and businesses companies.
In Congress, I will work to promote direct investment, educational and research incentives, and public-private partnerships with businesses and universities working together to advance research and create jobs. We cannot afford to be complacent, and we must act now to ensure that we do not fall behind.
In Congress, I will work to promote direct investment, educational and research incentives, and public-private partnerships with businesses and universities working together to advance research and create jobs. We cannot afford to be complacent, and we must act now to ensure that we do not fall behind.
Health
Americans are increasingly concerned with the cost, quality, and availability of health care. How do you see science, research, and technology contributing to improved health and quality of life?
Science, research, and technology have long played a dominant role in improving the quality, safety, and availability of health care and public health services. Advances in diagnostic technology will enable earlier and more accurate detection of diseases, which have been proved to reduce treatment costs over the long-term. Additionally, advances in medical care – such as non-invasive surgeries or highly-targeted medications – can reduce side-effects and complications from treatment, while also reducing costs. On the administrative side, we will take advantage of efficiency improvements with health information technology, an area of strength in the Michigan economy.
If the history of medical research has taught us anything, it is that we don’t yet know where the next great cure or vaccine will come from – so it is critical that we continue to invest in scientific research, including promising fields like stem cell research. To help spur this advancement, we must also invest in the education and training of the next generation of young biomedical and behavioral scientists.
The health care crisis is both a moral and economic problem. With 47 million Americans lacking health insurance, we must take action to ensure that all Americans and all Michiganders have access to quality, affordable health care.
If the history of medical research has taught us anything, it is that we don’t yet know where the next great cure or vaccine will come from – so it is critical that we continue to invest in scientific research, including promising fields like stem cell research. To help spur this advancement, we must also invest in the education and training of the next generation of young biomedical and behavioral scientists.
The health care crisis is both a moral and economic problem. With 47 million Americans lacking health insurance, we must take action to ensure that all Americans and all Michiganders have access to quality, affordable health care.
GARY PETERS' RECORD ON SCIENCE
Contents |
[edit] Education
- Educational Training
- Nothing posted to date
- Educational Funding
- Nothing posted to date
- Teaching Evolution/Intelligent Design
- Nothing posted to date
[edit] Energy
- Energy Policy
- Introduced on 5/15/2009 by Rep. Waxman and cosponsored by Rep. Markey, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) aims to create jobs, protect the environment, and increase American energy independence through new regulation of utilities and industry, as well as investment in an array of new technologies. Key provisions of this bill include: mandating that, by 2020, utilities meet 20% of their electricity demand through increased efficiency and/or renewable sources, implement new energy efficiency regulations for buildings and appliances, reduce carbon emissions from large US by more than 80% by 2050, as well as investing in new clean energy technologies and improving the energy efficiency of existing technology.
Representative Peters voted for this bill.
- Introduced on 5/15/2009 by Rep. Waxman and cosponsored by Rep. Markey, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) aims to create jobs, protect the environment, and increase American energy independence through new regulation of utilities and industry, as well as investment in an array of new technologies. Key provisions of this bill include: mandating that, by 2020, utilities meet 20% of their electricity demand through increased efficiency and/or renewable sources, implement new energy efficiency regulations for buildings and appliances, reduce carbon emissions from large US by more than 80% by 2050, as well as investing in new clean energy technologies and improving the energy efficiency of existing technology.
- : According to the Peters campaign, important energy-related issues include:
- Address Energy Speculation & Crack Down on Price Gouging. "One of the largest factors driving up the cost of oil is out-of-control speculation in the oil markets. Through increasing transparency and limiting the amount of money that hedge funds can dump into the energy markets, we can immediately bring down the price of oil. We should also enact strict penalties for unscrupulous companies that unfairly increase gasoline prices to gouge customers." [1]
- Invest in Alternative Energy Industries. Peters advocates "eliminating taxpayer-funded subsidies for Big Oil and reinvesting in alternative energy industries and technologies," in order to produce a reduction in energy costs. [1]
- Partner with Universities to Expand Research. Peters proposes a doubling of "investment in alternative energy research and development, including advanced cellulosic ethanol, fuel cells, and plug-in hybrid vehicles," which would allow Michigan to "lead the way in developing the next generation energy technologies." [1]
- Focus on the Long-Term Growth of the Green Economy. Peters states that long term growth should be started by extending "solar and wind energy tax credits, and provide long-term production incentives for renewable fuels." He believes this will prompt growth and investment in alternative energy industries. [1]
- Clean Coal Technology
- Nothing posted to date
- Fuel Economy Standards
- Nothing posted to date
- Nuclear Power
- Renewable Energy
- See stimulus discussion under Innovation section.
[edit] Environment
- After the House failed to pass S. 22 under suspension of the rules (which requires 2/3 to vote for a provision, but does not allow any amendments), the Senate called an unrelated bill, (HR 146), to carry the omnibus land bill. The bill is a combination of over 150 public land bills and will designate over 2 million acres of land as wilderness, improve the management of currently protected land, establish new water projects, and more. Swapping the original legislation in HR 146 for the land bill was designed to make finalizing the bill in the House easy.
When HR 146 was brought to the Senate, Sen. Coburn (R-OK) introduced several amendments, though only one passed:- Amendment 682: to make it less likely that casual stone collectors would run afoul of the criminal restrictions on taking paleontological fossils from federal land (passed)
- Amendment 675: to stop federal officials from using the power of eminent domain to take land from citizens. Critics say this amendment was unnecessary as eminent domain would not be used in any lands included in the bill.
- Amendment 677: to require an annual report on the total size and cost of federal property.
- Amendment 679: to strike provisions that would block renewable-energy development on public land
- Amendment 680: to bar new construction in national parks until the Interior secretary certifies that current sites are up to date, and
- Amendment 683: to eliminate what Coburn considers to be "frivolous" projects
- The bill passed the Senate on March 19, 2009. It passed the House by a vote of 285-140 on March 25, 2009. Representative Peters voted for this bill. It was then signed into law by President Obama on March 30, 2009.
- As a state legislator Peters authored a bill that banned directional drilling for oil and gas in the Great Lakes. His efforts earned him Sierra Club’s ‘Environmentalist of the Year’ award. [1]
[edit] Climate Change
- Nothing posted to date
[edit] Health
- Template:Vote-HHRAndEducationAndAppropriations2010
- Introduced on March 3, 2009 by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (H.R. 1256) aims to increase the authority of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in regulating tobacco in America. The legislation would empower the FDA to require larger warning labels on cigarette packaging, control nicotine levels, and regulate the advertising and marketing of cigarettes. During the 110th Congress, an identical bill had passed in the House in July of 2008 but was never considered in the Senate. The current bill passed in the House on April 2, 2009 by a vote of 298-112. Representative Peters voted for this bill. The Obama administration has released a statement in support of the bill and Senator Edward Kennedy stated that “the Senate will approve it expeditiously.”
- See stimulus discussion under Innovation section.
- According to Gary Peters, the United States is the only developed nation whose citizens do not have access to affordable health care coverage, and the spiraling costs of health care are crippling our businesses and putting an incredible strain on families facing financial ruin if someone loses their job or gets sick. In Congress, he states he will work to ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care. By providing access to preventive care, screenings, and primary care for early treatment, we can also lower health care costs throughout the system. [2]
- Healthcare
- After being vetoed twice by President Bush in 2007, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) (H.R. 2) bill was reintroduced in the 111th Congress on January 13, 2009. SCHIP provides a subsidy for children’s insurance for families that cannot afford private insurance yet earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. The cost of the program is funded by an increase in cigarette taxes of 62 cents per pack. The House of Representatives voted 289-139 to pass the bill on January 14, 2009. Representative Peters voted for this bill. The Senate also passed SCHIP, and it was signed into law by President Obama on February 4, 2009.
- Embryonic Stem Cell Research
- Nothing posted to date
- Non-Embryonic Stem Cell Research
- Nothing posted to date
- Food
[edit] Innovation
- Stimulus
- On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1). This stimulus bill contains over $30 billion for energy initiatives including the Smart Grid Investment Program and advanced battery systems; $20 billion in tax incentives for renewable energy for both businesses and homes; over $8 billion for augmenting energy efficiency in federal buildings and housing programs; and $7 billion to extend broadband service to underserved communities. The Act also gives the National Science Foundation $3 billion for research; the National Institutes of Health over $10 billion for research and renovations; NASA $1 billion, a portion of which to employ more scientists; and the Department Of Energy’s Office of Science $1.6 billion for energy research. Finally, it provides $19 billion for a modernized Health Information Technology (HIT) system; $87 billion to help fund Medicaid programs; $1 billion for health prevention programs; subsidies for temporary insurance; and $19 billion for clean water and environmental restoration programs. For a more complete listing of the bill’s provisions, click here.
It passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 246-183 on February 13th and passed the Senate on February 13th. Representative Peters voted for this bill.
- On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1). This stimulus bill contains over $30 billion for energy initiatives including the Smart Grid Investment Program and advanced battery systems; $20 billion in tax incentives for renewable energy for both businesses and homes; over $8 billion for augmenting energy efficiency in federal buildings and housing programs; and $7 billion to extend broadband service to underserved communities. The Act also gives the National Science Foundation $3 billion for research; the National Institutes of Health over $10 billion for research and renovations; NASA $1 billion, a portion of which to employ more scientists; and the Department Of Energy’s Office of Science $1.6 billion for energy research. Finally, it provides $19 billion for a modernized Health Information Technology (HIT) system; $87 billion to help fund Medicaid programs; $1 billion for health prevention programs; subsidies for temporary insurance; and $19 billion for clean water and environmental restoration programs. For a more complete listing of the bill’s provisions, click here.
- COMPETES Act
- Nothing posted to date
[edit] Research and Research Management
[edit] Technology
- On March 18, 2009, Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) introduced the Electronic Waste Research and Development Act (HR 1580) which works to reduce the waste caused by dumping unwanted electronics and to boost awareness of how to recycle such products. The bill would fund increased research on how to separate out hazardous material from waste as well as fund grants to universities to create curriculums to help in the reduction of this waste. HR 1580 passed in the House by voice vote on April 22, 2009. Representative Peters voted for this legislation.
- See stimulus discussion under Innovation section.
[edit] Endnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Peters Campaign Energy Issues. http://www.petersforcongress.com/release_details.asp?id=11
- ↑ Mlive.com Voters Guide. http://thevoterguide3.mlive.com/
