Don Staveley

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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?

"The reasons are many but, in conclusion, it violates our NH Constitution."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire’s anti-discrimination law allow segregation based on biological sex in some settings, such as bathrooms and locker rooms?

"The legislature does not need to tell towns how to manage sexual differences. I have read the legislation that surrounds this supposedly thorny issue and don't know if laughter is appropriate. Lets not bring the culture wars into our legislation."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"I will support legislation to maximize the rights of women to have control over their own wellbeing."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"I will support legislation to maximize the rights of women to have control over their own wellbeing."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

"There are revenue options that make an income tax unnecessary. I am appalled however by the libertarian party's view that '...Volinsky is threatening the forced conscription of millions of hours of labor. Under libertarian ethical theory, it is perfectly permissible to kill him,' the party wrote on Tuesday, followed by additional posts on X Wednesday, including a poll asking X users when violence against a politician is legitimate.' New Hampshire Public Radio/ By NHPR Staff, March 4, 2026"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?

"'The most recent proposal to reduce the BET rate would lower it from 0.55 percent to 0.50 percent. If that 0.50 percent rate had been in full effect during the current State Budget biennium, BET revenues would likely have decreased by about $54 million during those two years, based on State Budget revenue projections.' From NH Fiscal Policy Institute, 1/27/26. Revenue must come in and reducing it in one source means an impact on property taxes."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"The zoning changes that are coming out of Concord are not measured or well thought out. Yes, we need more housing. Many of these bills rely on the tender mercies of developers. Municipalities in NH must not surrender their self-control to the legislature."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire do more to encourage the development of nuclear power, including small modular reactors (SMR), in the state?

"Yes, but with caution. Consider the fiasco that went with the development of Seabrook Station and the bankruptcy of Public Service as a consequence. Then consider the recent Westinghouse Electric Co. fiasco in SC. Who would pay for these hugely expensive projects and, could rate payers be asked to help out with the promise of gains in 15 years. We may need nuclear, but with abundant caution."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Do you support legislation to expand the net energy metering system capacity cap from 1 MW to 5 MW for all residential and commercial customers in New Hampshire?

"I have studied this question and I can not find a satisfying answer the way it is asked. Certainly, no residential property needs 5MW. Municipalities need more favorable terms for net metering. Most importantly, we need to promote NH energy production to reduce our reliance on expensive alternatives."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire restore funding for the Office of the Child Advocate?

"I have listened to Cassandra Sanchez, who oversees the state's child welfare, juvenile justice, and youth care systems. We all should. And, if you have time in your life, considering dedicating some of it to CASA."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"I will support legislation to maximize the rights of women to have control over their own wellbeing."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire reinstate the interest and dividends tax?

"The state lost millions of much needed revenue by repealing the interest and dividends tax. 'The primary driver of lower revenues in October was the decline in Interest and Dividends Tax revenue, which was $20.3 million below expectations and $20.7 million below the prior year. Slightly less than half of this loss was offset by Lottery Commission revenues that were $8.9 million (53.6 percent) higher than the target for the month and $4.3 million (20.3 percent) above October of last year, reportedly due to Powerball sales.' This from the NH Fiscal Policy Institute, 1/27/26"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Do you support New Hampshire’s current system of public school funding, with about two-thirds of total funding coming from local property taxes?

"The State Wide Educational Property Tax (SWEPT) was originally (1999) an effort to be sure that poor communities were helped in providing an adequate education for their kids. The money was collected from each town and sent to the state for distribution. Some towns collected more $ than their schools needed. Some not. So, the redistribution. Now, however, rich towns keep their overage which can reduce their property taxes. Some pay nothing to education at all. The current system is not only unfair, it is unconstitutional!"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"Treat marijuana the way we treat alcohol."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"Treat marijuana the way we treat alcohol."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"Treat marijuana the way we treat alcohol."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire require new voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, when registering to vote?

"The system we have in NH for voting serves us and the country well. The threat to the security of our voting, state and national, is an illusion."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire allow at least 10% of students in each school district to enroll in a different public school, regardless of where they live?

"When a student leaves Hudon's SAU 81 for another SAU, they take that student's 'per student spending' with them. Following that student would be thousands of dollars of funding for Hudson schools based on figures from NH Department of Education (1/8/2026). No, no, no."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"I will support legislation to maximize the rights of women to have control over their own wellbeing."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should state law cap how much local school districts can increase their budget each year?

"This bill comes from the governor, not the school board or Hudson citizens as is usual and does not require towns to hold meetings ahead of the vote. It's juicy bait but be careful. Also, we need to get the state to shoulder its constitutional obligation to education."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?

"Lets be reasonable. The Libertarian party controls our legislature and they think it's fine to carry fire arms into the State House. HB 609 would give the state sole authority to set restrictions on weapons. 'It would prohibit towns, cities and state agencies from restricting these weapons contrary to state laws and provides an enforcement mechanism.' USA TODAY NETWORK - New England, May 29, 2026. Our legislature, as constituted, would increase state authority at the expense of local authority."