Wyoming 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
- As with any situation there are extenuating circumstances and this case is no different. By saying prohibit we say all cases are black and white meaning there is no reason for considering other circumstances. I feel we need to look at the situation and make a decision. I do not feel we can just say no all the time.

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
- We must look at revenue sources and not just taxes. How do we bring industry and diversity to the state instead of taxes and natural resources as the answer? We need to talk less about economic diversity and make it happen. When natural resources improve we forget about other opportunities for improving revenue streams. In the good times we need to research and move on improving the revenue so during the challenging times we are not hit so hard. Instead of looking at options which hurt our population we need to look at options which improve life for our population.

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?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- Campaign contributions have gotten out of hand and campaigns have gotten out of hand as well. There needs to be some control of how that is managed. We also need to make sure the person is who they say they are to vote to eliminate any questions.

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. Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders, such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
- Yes

6. Other or expanded principles
- In order to change the actions of offenders it is necessary to change the thinking of the person. By counseling and treatment we can make changes in the mindsets of some, if not most of these offenders. Throwing them in jail is not an answer to long term results and it is to our benefit to find solutions which will provide citizens contributing to the success of our state.

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

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 Wyoming?
- No

7. Other or expanded principles
- Unemployment is necessary to some extent but it is getting out of hand. When someone is better off staying on unemployment and not taking a job which is available, something is wrong. We need to find solutions which help the unemployed get a job of any kind while still looking for a job in their field. As for the minimum wage, I have mixed feelings because there are good jobs out there advertised daily but not being filled because some want more money. The more we have to pay the more we have to charge and the cycle never ends.

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in Wyoming?
- Yes

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- The national standards allow us to compare to other states and, if wanted, we can add additional standards for our expectations, but to avoid national standards does not allow for national comparison. For charter schools, the only way I would support state funding is if they meet the same requirements as the other schools in the state. Even though immigrants are unlawfully present, when they graduate from our schools, and we say they are not able to use in-state tuition, it is punishment for a choice they didn't necessarily get to make.

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
- Within reason state funding to help promote development of renewable energy is both beneficial to the state and to the citizens of the state but state funding must be only to promote and not to sustain. As for greenhouse gas emissions, we should have a voice in regulations and not let the federal government step in to make demands on us. Funding for clean drinking water is a benefit for the citizens of our state and it is important we help keep the citizens as healthy as possible so state funding provided is a positive in my mind.

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?
- No

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

5. Other or expanded principles
- There are certain places where guns just don't make sense and being involved with education for 43 years has led me to the decision that guns do not belong in schools.

Health

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

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

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?
- Yes

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- Yes

6. Other or expanded principles
- The health of our citizens is vital to the success of our state but forcing individuals to purchase health care insurance is stepping over the line. With decisions also come consequences so if one chooses to not have health insurance they also need to know it is not the responsibility of the state or hospital to pick up the tab for their care. As for opioids and other drugs as well we need to find solutions to the abuse and work to make a difference. We also need mental health care increased.

Social

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

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- I do not support allowing anyone to go into any public bathroom, or shower in a public shower area of their choice. I do believe in the work force the sexual orientation of the person or the gender identity of the person should not be considered at all. As long as the person is capable of doing the job there should not be any wall between these issues. I do feel there are certain public areas where the gender dictates the door you enter.

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.
- I believe in stabilizing educational funding so the districts of our state can obtain the best candidates for openings and for the stability of the districts. The ups and downs currently experienced produces uncertainty and loss of candidates to other states where the funding is consistent. The health care of our citizens is important to our success and our hospitals and health coverage need to address those concerns statewide. Economic diversity is necessary to meet the growing needs of the state and we not only need to talk about it but we need to act. Term limits are necessary statewide.