Tennessee 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 Answer

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Budget, Spending, & Tax

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

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

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No Answer

4. Other or expanded principles
- Fiscal discipline is of paramount importance. Tennessee's Constitution mandates a balanced budget and currently we are in excellent fiscal shape. In Tennessee, we have cut taxes and streamlined government while meeting our essential needs. When tough choices need to be made to ensure fiscal discipline and a balanced budget, I am prepared to make them.

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- No Answer

2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- No Answer

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
- Public trust and integrity are critically important. As a young legislator, I cooperated with the FBI's Rocky Top investigation to clean up government and political corruption in Tennessee.

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?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- I am a strong supporter of law enforcement. Protecting the rule of law and the safety of our citizens is government's primary obligation. I believe strongly that all levels of law enforcement should cooperate to enforce the law, especially on immigration.

Economic

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

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 Tennessee?
- No

7. Other or expanded principles
- I believe the private sector, not government, creates jobs. Government's role should be limited to creating a positive environment of low taxes and limited regulation to foster economic growth.

Education

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

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- Education standards are important but they should be state-based.

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- No

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- No Answer

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- No Answer

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

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 Answer

3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- Yes

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

5. Other or expanded principles
- We have a permit system that requires citizens to submit to a background check and demonstrate knowledge of and proficiency with firearms. I support the system.

Health

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

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

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 Answer

6. Other or expanded principles
- I opposed the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. It would have perpetuated a broken system and exposed the state of Tennessee runaway costs in later years. The federal government should give states Medicaid dollars in a block grant without strings attached so states can control costs and expand access.

Social

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

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

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

4. Should Tennessee permit localities to adopt "Sanctuary City" immigration policies?
- No

5. 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.
- My priorities include continuing to maintain Tennessee's fiscal discipline and economic growth. We have cut taxes, streamlined government and improved education. We have the lowest unemployment in state history, lowest debt per capita and a low tax burden. I hope to build on our success, improve education and continue to battle the opioid crisis.