Ohio 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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- I am a huge proponent of a Heartbeat Bill. I would work hard to see it come to a positive outcome with the new legislature, senate, and a new Governor. Providing women with information regarding the science of how humans grow and develop is essential. We should never provide tax dollars to the wholesale murder of living beings. All lives are precious and worthy.

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
- It would be neither fair, nor prudent, to lower salaries of loyal employees,or go back on promises made to those same individuals. Creating a better business climate within the state and helping counties bring those businesses to creation, is the best way to supplement any tax revenue generation needed. If government has grown too large, then a hard look is needed to see where effective cuts could be made. If we are supporting certain individuals in need through Medicaid, it would not be prudent to stop those benefits: moving off the plan should be a goal if possible.

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?
- No

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

5. Other or expanded principles
- There are existing limits being followed on campaign finance laws. It is problematic when outside entities begin pouring money into local races. People who join a union to help bargain for salaries should not have to worry about where dues are flowing. Political initiatives should be locally driven and voluntary. The legislature has been charged with working in a bipartisan fashion to evaluate avaiable census data and draw lines which are fair to the people within those districts. People SHOULD show an ID for voting purposes. People need a photo id for cashing checks or receiving assistance, so YES!

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?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- I am a proponent of good law enforcement. I support capital punishment: it follows with natural consequences for actions taken. Minors are still children, and should not be subject to adult standards. It is disengenius to make exceptions. Minors should recieve treatment or therapy as the overall goal. Massive prison reform for children and adults is a needed conversation. As a citizen, I completely support our law enforcement agents supporting federal immigration laws and agencies. I believe in the legalization of medical marijuana, and of cannibus byproducts which are free of THC, such as CBD oil.

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?
- Yes

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

7. Do you support matching the cost-of-living allowances to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System (OPERS)?
- No Answer

8. Other or expanded principles
- Our CSI program has reduced overly burdensome regulations, and helped create a more business friendly environment in Ohio. Providing students with solid job options in the vocational sector will help create a more vibrant and work-ready employment pool. Working people do not require expanded unemployment benefits. Increasing the minimal wage level is possible if businesses are willing and able to afford such an initiative. Living wages will come back from employers with a more work-friendly/work-ready environment. Minimum wage jobs are not meant to be permanent jobs.

Education

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

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- I believe in local control, with solidly created standards for school options in Ohio, by Ohioans. Our tax payers deserve choices as to how and whom will be educating their children. Standards should be rigorous, include grade-level appropriate content, and allow for the variety of ways students learn. Common Core has created a mess within our schools and has not benefited our youth. Not all public schools are meeting the needs of children and families. The needs of students in various areas of the state can be vastly different, but the content of a great education MUST be guarenteed.

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
- It is never wrong to stand on the side of protecting and renewing natural resources. Ohio has a long history of working with private agencies that support the good stewardship of our land, water, and all inhabitants. Allowing for some funding to serve as an initiative which explores alternative options is reasonable. Protecting our air from noxious gases and pollutants is imperative. Clean water options, in addition to better sanitary disposal systems should be a continuing effort and stimulated with the availabllity of grant money for communities in need.

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
- As a teacher with over thirty years in the classroom, I know too well the threat of being a soft target with a large group of children. I do not want all teachers to conceal carry a weapon, but do believe it is an excellent idea to make the opportunity available to those who express an interest, take part in a solidly designed training course, and be required to maintain this training with frequent practice sessions. We also need screening measures at the doors and continue to train teachers in ways to keep children safe.

Health

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

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through Ohio'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?
- No

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

6. Should able-bodied citizens Medicaid recipients meet a work requirement to be eligible for benefits?
- Yes

7. Do you support repealing the state mandated Medicaid expansion?
- No Answer

8. Other or expanded principles
- Health care is a complicated issue at this time. Many people have been left with few options, other than poor coverage and ridiculously high premiums and ever increasing drug costs. This issue requires big changes, not only at the state level, but from the federal level as well. It is hard to say exactly what I would support, until I am shown a comprehensive plan which reduces costs, covers pre-existing conditions, includes competion across borders, and allows for the state to care for those truly in need.

Social

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

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- Men and women should be paid in a way which reflects their job deascription within the private sector. Businesses pay for job performance based on the outcomes of the person working. Gender should have no bearing on those hiring practices or outcomes. Recognizing the needs of individuals is part of the business structure, and should have minimal state or federal intervention. There isn't a need for gender discrimination laws. We are men and women doing a job.

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.
- The number one issue, for me, is the opiate crisis. Ohio must stop the flow of dangerous chemicals and drugs within our borders. Enhanced law enforcement practices are imperative, as is a renewed effort to educate our youth about drugs. Helping families help their loved ones could be realized with a law similar to Casey's Law in Kentucky. State bond initiatives would help fund these initiatives, and reduce the need to send many to prison. We MUST fix funding of schools and repair our broken curriculum. Students should be work-ready with marketable skills, and college-bound students better prepared.