Alabama 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
- Just as the reproductive rights of men are not governed by the laws and regulations of federal, state, and local governments, neither should the reproductive rights of women.

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?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- Tax laws, regulations, and reforms should ensure that all citizens and business entities are paying their fair share of all federal, state, and local taxes.

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?
- 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. Other or expanded principles
- Campaign contributions made to any state candidate should be required to comply with all state campaign finance laws in the state in which the candidate supported is running.

Crime & Public Safety

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

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- No

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?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are often prosecuted for, and are convicted of, violent crimes. These individuals should not be subject to the death penalty, as most of these individuals do not understand the consequences of their actions and are often intimidated by, and taken advantage of, by the criminal justice system.

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?
- Yes

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?
- No

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

7. Other or expanded principles
- State government spending or incentives for economic growth should not relieve businesses from bearing their fair share of tax liabilities, especially for public education and other local services. State government regulations on the private sector should be reviewed regularly to ensure they are not unduly burdensome or costly, but are protecting the health and safety of the public

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in Alabama?
- Yes

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

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Alabama high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- Yes

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

5. Other or expanded principles
- I oppose state funding for any schools which are not inclusive and that do not provide equal educational opportunities for students with disabilities. Increased education funding should provide adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities similar educational opportunities beyond high school, such as vocational training, community college, etc.

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
- The Alabama Department of Environmental Management should enforce all state clean air and water laws consistently, or be replaced by a state agency that is not overtly influenced by the industries for which it issues permits.

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?
- Yes

3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- No

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

5. Other or expanded principles
- I support the Second Amendment AND common sense gun laws, not control.

Health

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

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

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- Yes

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- No

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- No

6. Other or expanded principles
- Medicaid health care benefits should be expanded to provide more accessible, affordable, and quality health care for children and families. More state and Medicaid funding is needed to provide home and community-based treatment for mental health services and substance abuse and addictions.

Social

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

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

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

4. Do you support the removal of Confederate monuments from public spaces?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- All citizens should be treated equally regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Confederate monuments should remain on public display. These monuments recognize the sacrifice Alabamians made in defense of their state, and they should remind us all of how far we have come in recognizing cultural diversity in our current society.

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.
- 1. HEALTHCARE. Expanding Medicaid. Additional funding by removing state tax exemptions and exceptions and applying existing state taxes equally to all citizens and entities. 2. ETHICS REFORM. Passing significant improvements to state ethics laws. 3. TAX REFORM. Reforming the state tax structure to benefit services provided through the General Fund and ensuring that everyone pays their fair share.