Charlene Lovett

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Do you support the “Education Freedom Account” program, which gives students access to the per-pupil share of state school funding to spend on private school or home school expenses?

"Until we fulfil our constitutional responsibility to provide every student, regardless of zip code, access to a quality education, we cannot divert public funds to private schools or those who are home schooled.. School choice cannot come at the sacrifice of public education."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?

"Reproductive decisions are healthcare decisions, not governmental decisions. These are private, personal decisions that should be made between the individuals involved and their healthcare provider."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?

"Reproductive decisions are healthcare decisions, not governmental decisions. These are private, personal decisions that should be made between the individuals involved and their healthcare provider."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?

"This question is unclear as it does not provide information on the content of such discussions or who is initiating the discussion. Discussion about sexual orientation and gender identity should always be age appropriate. If a child has a question, an appropriate response is warranted."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Do you support the state law that bans teaching certain concepts, such as the idea that people may be "inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously"?

"We have school boards that provide oversight regarding curriculum and they serve as the platform for community/school district discourse. We should not be afraid to explore our history, both the positives and negatives."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

"Local property owners are very concerned with the amount they are paying in property taxes to fund public education and municipal operations. Many looking to buy homes cannot afford the property taxes and those who are on fixed incomes are in danger of losing their home even if their mortgage is paid off. Traditionally, instituting a broad based tax has been very unpopular. However, public opinion could change if we cannot find a way to reduce the pressure on local property owners."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?

"Local property owners are very concerned with the amount they are paying in property taxes to fund public education and municipal operation. Rising property taxes are also making it very difficult to buy homes or keep homes even when the mortgage is paid off. They need relief. Traditionally, instituting a broad based tax has been very unpopular. However, public opinion could change if we cannot find a way to reduce the pressure on local property owners."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire add a tax credit for businesses that contribute to student loan repayment for employees?

"Too many individuals are carrying student loan debt in amounts that make it impractical to accept certain wages. If business are incentivized to help students with reducing that debt, it benefits both employer and employee.."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?

"I believe we need to do the analysis of who has benefitted from the recent decreases in business taxes, and what the overall impact has been to state revenue. We cannot keep reducing business taxes if it results in higher taxes in other areas."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?

"Too often, artificial barriers, such as net metering caps, have hampered our ability to leverage renewable energy options. We need to leverage the explosion in renewable energy technology which will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Do you support giving voters who register without ID on Election Day a ballot that only counts if they return identifying documents to the state before a deadline?

"I think this complicates the voting process and determining election outcomes."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire add a fee or mileage charge for electric vehicle owners to help pay for transportation and/or electric infrastructure?

"Since gas taxes are used to pay for road infrastructure, we need to find a fair way of taxing EV vehicles for using this infrastructure. I would need more information as to how best to accomplish this.."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?

"We have an extreme housing shortage and property that is underutilized which could be converted into housing. Zoning changes that facilitate development which aligns with local master plans and the statewide housing plan should be encouraged."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire extend the renewable portfolio standard past 2025, requiring public utilities to obtain more than 25% of electricity from renewable energy sources?

"We need to accelerate our transition to renewable energy in order to protect our environment and reach our stated climate goals."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?

"Reproductive decisions are healthcare decisions, not governmental decisions. These are private, personal decisions that should be made between the individuals involved and their healthcare provider."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?

"As long as the integrity of the process is maintained, we should make it easier to vote in NH."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?

"Adult use of marijuana should be legalized and regulated, establishing a needed revenue source. I would need more information to determine if the sale of marijuana should be via the private industry or state-run cannabis stores."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?

"Adult use of marijuana should be legalized and regulated, establishing a needed revenue source. I would need more information to determine if the sale of marijuana should be via the private industry or state-run cannabis stores."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?

"Adult use of marijuana should be legalized and regulated, establishing a needed revenue source. I would need more information to determine if the sale of marijuana should be via the private industry or state-run cannabis stores."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?

"By not aligning our minimum wage with neighboring states, we have done ourselves a disservice. Given the proximity of many of our communities to Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont, Granite Staters often gravitate towards these higher paying jobs. This is part of the reason that staffing shortages exist across the board. People cannot justify working for wages that do not come close to a living wage."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should the state permanently increase how much tax revenue it shares with towns and cities every year, beyond public school funding?

"Too often, the state has frozen and/or reduced tax revenue that should have gone to municipalities. This has had a negative impact on communities across the state. When the Rooms and Meals Tax was created, 40% of the revenue was to go to municipalities. For years, the state did not do that. Only recently, has that revenue stream been unlocked. However, municipalities are still not receiving the 40% that was originally intended when the tax was created. ."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?

"Before making a decision about this, I would need the data demonstrating what the impact is to overall revenue for the state."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Do you support the state’s current system of public school funding, with each district’s total funding primarily dependent on local property tax revenue?

"NH is last in the nation for the amount that it contributes towards public education. It is estimated that the state contributes 28% while local property owners fund the remaining 72%. This is not sustainable and school districts are all too often put in the position of either reducing programming or cutting staff in order to not increase local taxes. People support public education, but they cannot fund the majority of the cost via property taxes."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?

"Reproductive decisions are healthcare decisions, not governmental decisions. These are private, personal decisions that should be made between the individuals involved and their healthcare provider."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?

"We need to ensure that safety is considered when instituting gun control laws. As a gun owner, I understand the need for laws that respect the right of people to bear arms. As a veteran, I am also a strong proponent of gun safety measures. Universal background checks need to be instituted."