Georgia 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 that women should have control over their own bodies, and the best way to cut down on the number of abortions is to vote for the party that is making sure that everyone has healthcare, a high school diploma, and birth control.

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
- Rather than reduce pay or benefits for working Georgians, we can find other ways to balance the budget. For example, if we trim back questionable tax breaks for big business that don't provide a good return on investment, we can offset deficits in the state's revenues. Lawmakers can take a close look at tax breaks including those provided to insurance companies, which stand to claim an estimated $309 million worth of exemptions through two programs in 2018. (Based on the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute's analysis of Georgia's tax expenditure report for FY2018.)

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
- I commit to not taking any money from corporate PACs which means I won't be paid for by corporate special interests, so I can fight to fix the system for you and your family. - I will not take money from drug companies.- I support limiting the amount of money special interests can spend on political campaigns.- I will not accept money from Wall Street. Politicians who accept money from special interests don't represent you. Accepting Corporate PAC money gives corporations and special interests more influence in government at the expense of regular people.

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- No Answer

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- No Answer

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 Answer

5. Other or expanded principles
- I will work collaboratively with law enforcement, community partners, the legislature, and every level of our criminal justice system to protect our communities, build trust, and improve pathways to restoration. - End cash bail for low level offenses. No one's freedom should ever be denied because of the amount of money in their pockets. - Eliminate Racial DisparitiesWe must reduce the prison population and eliminate racial disparities to achieve justice. - Decriminalize MarijuanaAlmost one of five drug-related jail and prison admissions in Georgia was for marijuana offenses. - Focus on justice and rehabilitation, and not solely on incarceration.

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?
- 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 Georgia?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- The state government should invest in its citizens in order to promote economic growth. For example, tuirtion-free technical college and expanded financial aid options will help young people and adults gain the skills they need to fill jobs. Helping working parents to afford child care would help those who work, run a business, or go to school. Mental health and substance abuse treatment programs helps supply Georgia with a reliable pipeline of workers at all skill levels and addresses the challenges of opiod addition. Keep government regulations that protect citizens and the environment. Judiciously remove others.

Education

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

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- I am committed to extending access to high-quality child care programs for children ages 0 ? 3, increasing access to pre-K, expanding after school programs, and providing improved livelihoods for teachers. We need to fully fund public education and oppose attempts to privatize our schools. Public charter schools may be eligible for state funding. Georgia is now home to more than 1 million people born outside of the U.S. Children brought here illegally by their parents should not be deprived of a good education and have the potential to become productive citizens.

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
- I will promote legislation that provides safe and sustainable alternative clean-energy solutions that will protect our air, water, and land and boost economic growth. I will encourage all my constituents to take actions that reduce their carbon footprint on the planet. I support legislation that will protect our 100-mile coastline, islands, wetlands, and waterways, as well as air quality and safe drinking water.

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?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- I support proposals that are just common sense and most people agree upon, including 1) Stopping the mentally ill from owning guns; 2) Having extensive background checks, including at gun shows; 3) Stopping people on watch lists from having guns; 4) Opposing the proliferation of guns in educational spaces. None of these ideas violate second amendment rights, but may help to prevent the violence caused by people who shouldn?t have them. You can?t regulate evil, but you can definitely try to disarm it.

Health

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

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

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

6. Do you support increasing funding for state medical facilities and hospitals in rural areas?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- We need to expand Medicaid coverage, which would provide about 240,000 Georgians with health care and cut our uninsured rate in half, create 56,000 jobs, prevent closure of rural hospitals, and help stabilize rural communities. Medicaid expansion represents a $3 billion annual investment of federal dollars into Georgia and its people. Georgians are already paying taxes toward closing our coverage gap, but state leaders have refused billions in federal health care dollars meant to pay for Georgians' health coverage and stabilize struggling rural hospitals.

Social

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

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

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

4. Should faith-based organizations be permitted to deny services based on religious beliefs?
- No

5. Do you support the removal of Confederate monuments from public spaces?
- Yes

6. Other or expanded principles
- I am committed to supporting equality for LGBTQ Georgians, including marriage equality and comprehensive workplace protections. I will oppose so-called "religious freedom" legislation if it discriminates against anyone based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, immigration status, disability, or gender identity.

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.
- 1) Education: Extend access to high-quality child care programs for children ages 0 - 3, increase access to pre-K, expand after school programs, and provide improved livelihoods for teachers. We need to fully fund public education.2) Expand Medicaid.3) Protect our environment by stopping off-shore oil drilling and investing in renewable, sustainable energy sources. Funding sources:1) Trim back questionable tax breaks for big business. Insurance company tax breaks = $309M2) Increasing the cigarette tax by $1 per pack could raise $400M annually.3) Enact a corporate minimum tax of $1,000 could generate $250M annually.