Vermont 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
- 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. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No

4. An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- No Answer

5. Other or expanded principles
- The premise of this question assumes that there inevitably will be a budget shortfall. There is no evidence to support this.

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
- Robust public financing of elections is something that should be given strong consideration.

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 Answer

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

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

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 Answer

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- No Answer

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

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 Vermont?
- Yes

7. Should Vermont breweries be permitted to terminate distribution agreements with beverage distributors for no cause?
- No Answer

8. Other or expanded principles
- Many of these questions require further context.

Education

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

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- All of these questions require further clarification.

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?
- No Answer

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
- Article 16 of the VT Constitution clearly protects an individual right to bear arms. I respect that right. However, the Duranleau case in the VT State Supreme Court and other federal case law also clearly allows regulation of gun rights. I have faith that, if necessary, the courts will find an appropriate balance between constitutional rights and legislative action.

Health

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

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

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 believe that providing health care for everyone is a public responsibility whether through Medicare expansion or through creating a regional public healthcare system in collaboration with other states.

Social

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

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

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.
- EDUCATION: to advocate for a simpler, fairer way to fund education. ECONOMY: to fight for an equitable economy that expands Vermont's "working hands/working lands" tradition. ENVIRONMENT: to push for environmental policies that promote a resilient, regenerative, and recreational agenda.