New Jersey State Legislative Election 2019 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
- No Answer

Budget, Spending, & Tax

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

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support a limit 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?
- No Answer

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- No

5. Do you support automatic voter registration?
- Yes

6. Other or expanded principles
- Every New Jersey voter should have their voice heard. I support fair redistricting.

Crime & Public Safety

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

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

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

4. Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana?
- No Answer

5. Other or expanded principles
- Our focus for minors in the criminal justice system must be on rehabilitation first. We are a nation of laws -- but our local police departments that serve taxpayers in our communities should not have to do the federal government's job for them. It is the responsibility of Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Economic

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

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

3. Do you support reducing 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?
- Yes

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

7. Do you support requiring employers to provide paid family leave?
- Yes

8. Other or expanded principles
- We must support our seasonal workers in New Jersey by maintaining a strong unemployment benefits program. These benefits are not a handout, they are earned. As a construction worker, I received unemployment in New Jersey, and we have one of the best programs in the country. It is crucial that we continue to maintain our high standards to support hardworking men and women who earn these benefits.

Education

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

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Environment & Energy

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

2. Do you support 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
- No Answer

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Yes

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?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Health

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

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

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

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 Answer

6. Other or expanded principles
- I support measures that lower costs and increase access to quality, affordable health care to more people. As we increase funding for opioid treatment, we must hold drug manufacturers accountable for their role in this crisis.

Social

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

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

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

4. Do you support legislation that would hold parents liable for damages caused by their child's bullying offenses?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- I support efforts in schools to prevent bullying and educate both students and parents on how to prevent bullying both at school and at home.

Legislative Priorities

1. In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, any additional priorities of your campaign that have not been covered in these questions.
- And as a retired member of a labor union, I will support measures that will crack down employers misusing their employees and make sure they are paying them a fair and livable wage.

2. In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top legislative priority and how you plan to fund it.
- Our job as legislators is to make New Jersey a better place for future generations. As chair of the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, I am committed to making sure that New Jersey?s Agricultural Sector, which is the third largest industry in the state, is healthy and vibrant for the upcoming future.