New Hampshire State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

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

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- No Answer

3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Budget, Spending, & Tax

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- Yes

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- Yes

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- There are plenty of programs that can be defunded without harming essential government functions. The legislature has reduced spending in the past and it led to fiscal soundness and an expanding economy.

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- No

2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- No

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. Do you support imposing penalties on state legislators who fail to attend legislative sessions?
- No

6. Other or expanded principles
- The campaign contribution limits for state legislative races are too low in my opinion.

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- No

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?
- No

4. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- I have served on the Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee in the House; these are very complex issues and one-word responses don't capture some of the nuanced approaches to needed reform. In general, I favor reforming or repealing penalties for "victimless crimes."

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- Yes

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- No

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- No

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of New Hampshire?
- No

7. Other or expanded principles
- I've seen first-hand how reducing regulations leads to a boon in productivity, innovation and employment (specifically in the nano-brewery industry). I support more economic freedom for all businesses and industries.

Education

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

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- Yes

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- The federal government puts way too many regulations on our local schools. More competition and innovation in the provision of education will benefit students and their families. It's time to end the one-size-fits-all model for schools.

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- No

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- No

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

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'm a big fan of the entire Bill of Rights, including the 2nd Amendment.

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- No

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through New Hampshire's health care programs?
- No

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?
- No

6. Other or expanded principles
- Exemptions for vaccinations should not be solely on religious grounds, which is a discriminatory practice.

Social

1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in New Hampshire's anti-discrimination laws?
- No

2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in New Hampshire's anti-discrimination laws?
- No

3. Do you support greater efforts by New Hampshire state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- Discrimination and other "thought crimes" are notoriously difficult to enforce. Such laws are generally feel-good measures that often have negative unintended consequences.

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.
- One of the biggest challenges facing the taxpayers of New Hampshire is the very high level of unfunded liabilities for public sector retiree pensions and medical insurance. The legislature has kicked the can down the road long enough and this shortfall must be addressed thoughtfully and seriously in a bipartisan manner. I would also support deregulation wherever possible to encourage innovation, competition and economic freedom. And I will vigorously defend individual liberty at every turn.