Massachusetts 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 am a woman, an advocate for survivors of domestic violence, and a defender of reproductive rights. Women should not have to argue for autonomy over our bodies. Every woman should be able to make personal decisions about the full range of reproductive health care options. I hope to have the opportunity to bring about a brighter, safer, and more equal Massachusetts for all women.

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?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- I will work hard to to bring much needed local aid money back to our community. Other districts have been getting more state funds than ours because their State Representatives have been part of the fiscal budget process and fought to get earmarks for their constituents. We have received the bare minimum, which means that property taxes go up to pay for important needs, like our public schools and infrastructure. If I am fortunate enough to win I will get to work with Democrats and Republicans to make sure we receive our fair share of state funding.

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. Do you support allowing candidates to use their campaign funds for childcare?
- Yes

6. Other or expanded principles
- I want more accountability and transparency in the campaign finance process. Voters should know from whom candidates are getting their money so they have a better understanding about which contributors might have an influence on that candidate's decision-making.

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

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

5. Other or expanded principles
- Limited local police resources should not be used to deputize state and local police to enforce federal immigration laws. State and local police should spend their time and resources on protecting our communities. We should be advocating for laws that would it safe for all people, regardless of their immigration status, to report domestic violence and other crimes to their local police without fear of repercussions. The police cannot investigate crimes that are unreported, so we should encourage people to make reports.

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

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- Yes

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 Massachusetts?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- We need to stop giving tax breaks to corporations or the wealthy in a way that cripple our ability to invest in areas that expand economic growth and limit our ability to invest in things that we need in our communities, like schools, roads, bridges, and public transportation. I support increasing accountability for tax breaks, credits, and exemptions for corporations. These mechanisms are designed to create jobs, but if the corporations are not creating jobs and not living up to commitments made to get the tax breaks, then the state should be able to "clawback" lost tax revenue.

Education

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

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- As a product of public schools, I know how crucial a well-funded school district is to the strength of our community. I am committed to advocating for the necessary school funding to give each and every student the opportunity to succeed. I support expanding efforts to better assist English learners, providing free after-school activities, and increasing local reimbursements for special education. I also support lowering class sizes to give students the attention and support that they deserve. I will work with other lawmakers to push for increased local aid to our public schools, which will help alleviate local property taxes.

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
- At a state level, the effort to address environmental issues is severely underfunded. We only allocate 0.5% of the state?s operating budget to environmental agencies. As a starting point, I advocate for doubling the percentage of funding as well as accelerating our transition from reliance on fossil fuels to 100% clean renewable energy with measures like incentivizing solar development. I will push for legislation that fights climate change and protects our natural resources.

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
- Our community values responsible gun ownership and that is why I support measures to prevent gun violence. I have represented many survivors of domestic violence and understand the strong connection it has with gun violence. Guns should not be in the hands of people who pose a danger to themselves or others. I also want to improve access to mental health care to minimize these dangers and risks to public safety. You deserve a representative who will do more to protect our schools and communities.

Health

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

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

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

6. Other or expanded principles
- I am committed to making health care more affordable and accessible to all, because I believe essential health care is a human right. As your representative, I will advocate for a health insurance system that guarantees access and lowers the cost of health care. I support controlling the rising costs of medication, expanding the definition of affordability to include other out-of-pocket costs such as copays and deductibles, and allowing for a public option for individuals and small businesses.

Social

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

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- I am a steadfast defender of the current anti-discrimination law, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity in places of public accommodation. We need to advance protections to ensure that all people are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. I am especially concerned for LGBTQ children who are pressured and bullied to not accept themselves. I support a ban on conversion therapy practiced on minors, which all major medical communities have discredited. I appreciate diversity, and I am committed to building a stronger and more inclusive community.

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 top two priorities would be addressing the opioid epidemic and getting more in local aid to support our public schools and improve infrastructure. Opioid addiction is a public health crisis and my efforts would focus on prevention and long-term treatment. Also, right now our district receives the bare minimum in state funding, which means that property taxes go up to pay for important needs like our public schools and infrastructure. I will get to work within the financial budget process to make sure we are getting our fair share of state funding.