North Carolina 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
- I believe in free will. While I do not believe in abortion, I believe in having the ability to choose. God gave that in the Garden of Eden. I feel education and compassion will help those who are considering an abortion. We must come to the place where we are willing to reason with our brothers and sisters and stop condemning and wanting to punish them, if we are willing to work with them, I think we will get the right outcomes.

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
- Taxes are something we are going to have to pay. I believe to whom much is given, much is required. Services and taxes go hand in hand. We should use tax dollars to empower our people to grow and not simply to maintain a life style. Investing in people makes perfect sense. If you give you a fish that is one meal, but if I teach you to fish, then you can can yourself.

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?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

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?
- No

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

5. Other or expanded principles
- If we want our local law enforcement to enforce immigration, then dollars and training should come along with it. Certainly an illegal who commits a major crime should be arrested and detained. I will also include those who drive drunk habitually. Local agencies do not have the resources to specialize in seeking out illegals.

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?
- Yes

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 North Carolina?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- We live in a time where if you do not offer incentives companies will not give you a second look. I will lower some taxes but not at the expense of lowering services to those in need.

Education

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

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

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from North Carolina 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. Do you support North Carolina's "Innovative School District" program?
- No Answer

6. Other or expanded principles
- I say no to federal education standards because the federal government does not always get it right. States can have better plans and understanding of what the educational needs are of its children. I think charter schools should be funded by the state, but they should have their own funding stream and at the same token the state should not decrease regular public school funding,

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
- 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?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- I think Americans should have the right to bear arms, but we must ensure those who have them are fit. We need to make sure there are no mental health issues, there is not a history of violent behavior and we must understand what an assault rife is and what is not an assault rifle. Work needs to be done before approving gun ownership.

Health

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

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through North Carolina'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?
- Yes

6. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Social

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

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

3. Do you support greater efforts by North Carolina 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 Answer

5. Other or expanded principles
- I believe people should be treated as equals regardless of sex, race, sexual orientation and simply because we are different is not a reason to be treated differently. I am not sure about the monuments, if they represent someone who has hindered the growth of people yes, but if it is simply a soldier I will have to consider the location.

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.
- It is important we fund public education at a level where every child in North Carolina has access to all classes needed to fulfill their educational requirements. We need to pay teachers and staff at a rate where they can do their jobs without having to spend their personal money or have to work a part time jobs to make ends meet. We must fund mental health at a level where no matter where a person lives in the state of North Carolina, they can get the services they need. The state must stop cutting mental health budgets.