Indiana State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- Yes

3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- As a male it is impossible for me to place myself in this situation. That decision should remain between a woman and her healthcare provider.

Budget, Spending, & Tax

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- No

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- No

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No

4. An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- A tax increase without appropriate expansion of services would not serve the best interests of Indiana's working families.

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- Yes

2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- I support requiring a government issued ID as long as they can be readily acquired and are free of charge for voting purposes.

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- Yes

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Yes

3. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- Yes

4. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- Yes

5. Do you support legislation to define and establish penalties for hate crimes?
- Yes

6. Other or expanded principles
- I support legalization of recreational marijuana once a reliable test to determine the level of intoxication, similar to a breathalyzer, is developed. At that point, it should be treated in a manner similar to alcohol. I have been an advocate of the deregulation of cannabis in regards to the expansion of industrial hemp for agricultural purposes to create more opportunities for Hoosier farmers.

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- No

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- Yes

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- Yes

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Indiana?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- As long as state spreading creates long-term, meaningful economic growth and careers, I am in favor of such measures.

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in Indiana?
- No

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- No

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Indiana high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- No

4. Do you support increasing funding for the state education budget?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- The state voucher program must also be phased out. Taxpayer dollars should only be used to support traditional public schools that serve all students.

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- Our energy needs require an all the above solution. This means developing new resources while using current sources as efficiently as possible.

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- No

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- No

3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- Yes

4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- I believe the decision to arm teachers rests in the hands of the local elected school board and therefore allowable by the state, but not promoted. That is why I answered it is allowable. However, educators to whom I have spoken often do not want the extra responsibilities placed upon them by carrying in the classroom. Many school boards that have looked into the option have found school resource officers to be a more practical solution.

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- Yes

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through Indiana's health care programs?
- Yes

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- No

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- Yes

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- Yes

6. Other or expanded principles
- In many cases, but not all, drug addiction and abuse should be treated as a disease first.

Social

1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Indiana's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Indiana's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

3. Do you support greater efforts by Indiana state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Legislative Priorities

In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- My priorities are to strengthen public education, facilitate good paying careers, and encourage citizens to be active in their communities. These can be accomplished by phasing out the school voucher system, repealing so called "right to work" legislation and reinstating common construction wage, and supporting an independent redistricting commission.