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Historical Details

Position on Issues

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Was NH right to raise the gas tax in 2014?

Possible revenue sources: "Tolls on I-93 (Mass Border), Gasoline Tax"

Voting Record, 2017

Voted to consider appropriating $4 million to continue the project development phase of the New Hampshire capital rail corridor project (SB 100)

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

Should NH allow binding referendums?

"No, New Hampshire should not allow a public referendum."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Was NH right to ban hand-held cell phone use while driving?

"Only hands free cell phone use should be permitted."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

Does not support an income and/or sales tax. Possible revenue sources: "Tolls on I-93 (Mass Border), Gasoline Tax"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?

Does not support an income and/or sales tax. Possible revenue sources: "Tolls on I-93 (Mass Border), Gasoline Tax"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Should NH authorize one or more casinos?

"I would support an appropriate bill which would allow casino gambling."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Should NH continue to base statewide assessments on Common Core standards?

"I support the adoption of Common Core Standards by the state."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Should NH decriminalize small amounts of marijuana?

"We should revise the present law on marijuana possession to make it less punitive."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

What differentiates you from your opponents?

"I know the North Country and will be a strong advocate for rural culture, values and our unique way of life. It is vital that this region has someone who will fight for our fair share -- of the room meals tax and other revenues and services; policies that fit rural areas and the fair delivery of government services. I have a diverse background -- as an local, state and national official, an award-winning business owner, historic property developer, teacher and writer. Economically the North Country is on the ropes -- power is shifting southward, the economy is struggling and the state is down-shifting costs onto counties and municipalities -- this is no time to send someone to Concord to learn the ropes. For nearly 30 years, I have developed a record and political philosophy that reflects the ethos of the region."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Should NH broaden campaign finance disclosure laws?

"We need full disclosure of the individuals or entities financing political campaigns and all politically-related advertising."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

What two or three ideas do you have for cutting state spending and/or streamlining government to save money?

"Being a writer because it has forced me listen, open up my mind and thoroughly understand and then summarize. Being in business and a teacher taught me much about the implementation of government policies and regulations."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

Should LLCs be subject to the interest and dividends tax?

Opposes LLC tax.

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Should NH provide more funding for charter schools?

"I believe the current level of funding is adequate."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

Should NH increase the interest and dividends tax?

Opposes increase in I & D tax.

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

Should NH increase tolls and/or add new toll booths?

Open to considering tolls on I-93 at the Massachusetts border.

Voting Record, 2018

Voted to continue expanded Medicaid eligibility, using the traditional Medicaid system of managed care instead of private insurance (SB 313)

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Was NH right to expand Medicaid eligibility, using private insurance wherever possible?

"I would support legislation expanding Medicaid under the ACA."

Voting Record, 2018

Voted to consider raising the minimum wage (SB 83 and SB 554)

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Do employees in NH need more legal protections in the workplace?

"Not certain of legislation in this area - open to considering."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Should NH add restrictions on welfare recipients?

Regarding drug tests for welfare recipients: "Not sure."

Voting Record, 2018

Voted to change the sentence for any offense eligible for the death penalty to life imprisonment without parole (SB 593)

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Should NH allow the Northern Pass to proceed with some (not all) of the lines buried?

"I would consider supporting the Northern Pass Project with appropriate modifications to the plan."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

What is your philosophy of government?

"I'm a former civics teacher, I love debating the meaning of the Constitution and Bill of Rights because the ideals contain both liberal and conservative principles. The aim, I believe, is to create, not settle, a debate. Fundamentally though, the purpose of our system is to restrict government and prevent it from taking rights away from the people. And, as best it can perfectly balance individual rights with majority rule. When we get the process right -- our government works. I have Jeffersonian trust grassroots democracy -- and people to make wise decisions. I distrust large organization, centralized and professionalized power. I'm governed by tradition and the promise that our system permits change. The government has basic responsibilities to be the collective instrument of the community -- serving the broad (simple and complex) needs that can't exclusvievly be met by individuals. The notion of commonwealth comes to mind. Increasingly government must demand make wise investments that will benefit both individuals and society."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Should NH continue to use property taxes instead of a new broad-based tax, such as an income tax?

Does not support an income and/or sales tax. Possible revenue sources: "Tolls on I-93 (Mass Border), Gasoline Tax"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Should New Hampshire continue to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which requires utilities to purchase allowances for every ton of carbon they emit?

"I support NH's participation in RGGI as presently structured."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

Should NH repeal same-sex marriage?

"No, do not repeal."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Should NH require car insurance for some or all drivers?

"I believe auto insurance should sometimes be required."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

Should businesses that provide insurance be required to cover contraception?

"They should not be able to deny coverage."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Should NH require labels on some or all genetically modified foods?

"I support appropriate labeling of some GMO foods - Nat'l Level - or significant portion of region."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

Should NH require motorcycle helmets?

"No, let those who ride decide."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

Should NH require seat belts?

"No, adults should be able to choose whether or not to wear a seatbelt."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

Should NH revise the meals and rooms tax?

Opposes local meals and rooms tax.

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Should NH pass right-to-work legislation?

"Right to Work legislation will result in lower income to the working person."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

Should NH use taxpayer money to build a memorial to the Old Man?

"No, do not use public money for a manmade Old Man."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?

"I oppose any limits on assault weapons."

Voting Record, 2018

Voted against the "education freedom savings account program" (SB 193)

Voting Record, 2018

Voted against requiring all voters domiciled in New Hampshire to follow residency laws, such as the requirement to register any car in New Hampshire (HB 1264)

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2014

Should NH restrict further wind power development?

"I support such a moratorium on commercial wind towers at the present time until the state studies the matter."

Voting Record

SB 2 (2017)

Reduces the Business Profits Tax (BPT) from 8.2% to 7.5% and the Business Enterprise Tax (BET) from 0.72% to 0.5% in 2020. Business tax cuts were instead incorporated in the budget bill for this year.

SB 193 (2017)

Establishes the "education freedom savings account program." This allows a parent to contract with a scholarship organization so that state education funding is transferred to the student's scholarship account rather than to the municipality in which the student resides.  The House amended the bill to limit the scholarships to certain students, particularly low income students, students in underperforming schools, and special education students.  The amended version also requires any student receiving a scholarship to complete an annual assessment to ensure academic progress.

HB 1264 (2018)

Redefines "resident" and "inhabitant" to remove the phrase "for the indefinite future." This bill would potentially require all voters domiciled in New Hampshire to follow residency laws, such as the requirement to register any car in New Hampshire.

CACR 22 (2018)

Constitutional amendment establishing various rights for crime victims.

SB 313 (2018)

Continues New Hampshire's expanded Medicaid program. This bill makes several significant changes to the program. First, it moves participants off private insurance and into managed care, similar to traditional Medicaid enrollees. Second, it adds a work requirement for participants. Third, it removes funding from voluntary contributions by health care providers, which the federal government said is illegal.

HB 1319 (2018)

Prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.

HB 587 (2017)

Prohibits conversion therapy for anyone under age eighteen. Conversion therapy attempts to change a person's sexual orientation.

SB 554 (2018)
Increases the minimum wage for employers that do not offer health benefits to the employee. This bill also gradually raises the minimum wage for all employees.
HB 628 (2017)

Establishes a social insurance program that would be operated by New Hampshire Employment Security to provide for paid family and medical leave insurance. Employers would pay 0.5% of wages per employee as premium payments. The House amended the bill to increase the employee contribution to 0.67%, to allow employees to opt out, and to limit benefits to six weeks of paid leave.

SB 593 (2018)

Changes the penalty for any offense eligible for the death penalty to life imprisonment without parole.

HB 144 (2017)

Changes the annual county budget procedures for Rockingham County to match those used in Hillsborough County. Since the House failed to pass the 2018-2019 budget bill HB 1, the Senate amended this bill into a new budget bill.

SB 8 (2017)

Allows a school district to assign a child to a non-sectarian private school if there is no public school for the child's grade in the child's resident district. The bill was amended to also require the non-sectarian private school to administer an annual assessment.

SB 66 (2017)

Includes fetuses as potential victims under murder statutes. The Senate amended the bill to include only fetuses twenty weeks and older, not just "viable" fetuses.

SB 191 (2017)

Increases state funding for full-day kindergarten programs, with adjustments based on the number of English language learners and free and reduced lunch students in each district. The House amended the bill to simply provide full funding for full-day kindergarten programs, and half funding for half-day kindergarten programs. The House also added keno legalization to the bill to create the revenue for kindergarten funding.

HB 103 (2017)

Requires school districts to provide advance notice to parents and legal guardians of course material involving discussion of human sexuality or human sexual education.

SB 11 (2017)

Right-to-Work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.

SB 3 (2017)

Changes the definition of domicile for voting purposes to make it more restrictive. This bill explicitly excludes anyone who comes to the state "for temporary purposes," such as volunteering or working on political campaigns. Out-of-state college students are still allowed to claim a domicile in New Hampshire. However, if someone moves to a new New Hampshire address within 30 days of voting, he or she must present proof of intent to stay in New Hampshire. This proof could include a lease, driver's license, a child's enrollment at a public school, etc.

SB 131 (2017)

Appropriates $1,155,000 to hire five state troopers assigned to drug enforcement on the state border. This bill also appropriates $3,340,000 for state and local law enforcement and the state lab for overtime related to drug enforcement.

SB 242 (2017)

Authorizes one smaller and one larger casino with video lottery and table gaming. The smaller casino would pay an initial ten-year license fee of $40 million, and the larger casino would pay an initial ten-year license fee of $80 million. The casinos would pay a tax of 35% on gross slot machine revenue and 18% on gross table game revenue. The Legislature would choose how to distribute this revenue, provided that some of the revenue goes to towns hosting or neighboring the casino, and some of the revenue goes to treat problem gambling.

SB 10 (2017)

Creates a program to repay licensed milk producers from losses during the 2016 drought. The bill appropriates $2 million to the Milk Producers Emergency Relief Fund.

HB 157 (2017)

Adds chronic pain to the qualifying medical conditions for medical marijuana.

SB 83 (2017)

Raises the minimum wage to $8.50 On September 1, 2017, $10 on March 1, 2018, and $12 on September 1, 2018.

SB 233 (2017)

Allows a person twenty-one years of age or older to possess up to 1 ounces of marijuana and to cultivate no more than 6 marijuana plants without penalty. This bill also establishes a committee to study the legalization, regulation, and taxation of marijuana.

HB 640 (2017)

Decriminalizes possession of 3/4 ounce or less of marijuana, with additional penalties for violators under age twenty-one.

SB 12 (2017)

Increases the length of time for which a license to carry a concealed firearm is valid, and repeals the requirement to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm.

SB 336 (2016)

Removes the phrase "suitable person" from the law governing concealed carry permits, and instead requires law enforcement to issue a permit so long as the person is not prohibited from owning a firearm by state or federal law.

SB 4 (2015)

Tightens the definition of domicile for the purpose of voting.  In particular, the final version of this bill requires a voter to live in New Hampshire at least 10 days before voting.

SB 551 (2016)

Creates a single casino with video lottery and table gaming, to be located at Rockingham Park in Salem, NH. A tax of 35% of gross slot machine revenue and 18% of gross table game revenue would go to the state with dedicated portions of the funds going to addiction prevention programs and to Salem and neighboring communities.

HB 1616 (2016)

Allows a person obtaining a driver's license to choose whether the license complies with the federal Real ID Act of 2005.

SB 412 (2016)

Raises the minimum wage to $12 per hour.

HB 1696 (2016)

Continues expanded Medicaid eligibility, with some revisions. This bill adds work requirements to eligibility for expanded Medicaid. Additional funding is provided by the insurance premium tax, paid by insurance companies.

SB 492 (2016)

At the time of this bill's submission, electric utilities pass RGGI rebates through to customers in the form of a reduction to the customer’s monthly bill based on monthly usage. This bill eliminates rebates to residential customers. The Public Utilities Commission and Department of Environmental Services state most of this revenue would instead be redirected to programs for low income, municipal, school district and local government energy efficiency projects.

HB 1116 (2016)

Increases the cap on net metering, and requires the Public Utilities to Commission to develop a modified net metering system.

SB 40 (2015)

Includes fetuses as potential victims under murder statutes.  The original Senate version of the bill applied to "viable fetuses," meaning the fetus is old enough to survive outside the womb.  The House revised the bill to apply to all fetuses eight weeks and older.  The House and Senate did not agree on a final version of the bill.

HB 563 (2015)

Adjusts the additional grants for chartered public school pupils based on the Consumer Price Index, and increases the per pupil state funding for charter school students by $1,000.

SB 179 (2015)

Requires that a voter has lived in the state and county for at least 30 days.

SB 107 (2015)

Right-to-Work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.

HB 1 (2015)

2016-2017 state budget bill (part 1).  The budget cuts business taxes, restores the Rainy Day Fund, and increases funding for some social services.  The budget does not reauthorize Medicaid expansion or include a pay raise negotiated with state employees.

SB 113 (2015)

Authorizes two casinos in New Hampshire. One destination casino would pay a $80 million license fee; a smaller casino would pay $40 million to the state. SB 113 also earmarks $25 million in casino profits for distribution to all New Hampshire municipalities.

SB 106 (2015)

Prohibits the sale, use, or possession of synthetic drugs, such as "spice."

SB 261 (2015)

Raises the minimum wage to $8.25 in 2016, $9.00 in 2017, and $10.00 in 2018.

HB 618 (2015)

Decriminalizes possession of 1/2 ounce or less of marijuana, with additional penalties for violators under age twenty-one.

SB 116 (2015)

Increases the length of time for which a license to carry a concealed firearm is valid, and repeals the requirement to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm.

HB 403 (2015)

Repeals the law establishing a protest-free buffer zone around reproductive health clinics.

SB 169 (2015)

Forbids the use of EBT cards or cash from EBT cards for alcohol, tobacco, gambling, lottery tickets, tattoos, firearms, or adult entertainment.

SB 217 (2014)

Right-to-Work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.

SB 318 (2014)

Establishes the crime of domestic violence.

SB 413 (2014)

Expands Medicaid eligibility, using private insurance wherever possible.

HB 1403 (2014)

Raises the minimum wage, starting at $9 per hour.

HB 1170 (2014)

Repeals the death penalty.

SB 207 (2014)

“Pay Equity Law,” a bill to combat pay discrimination based on gender, forbidding employers from restricting employees from discussing wages, and allowing a three year deadline to report pay discrimination to the state (current deadline is one year).

SB 319 (2014)

Authorizes "buffer zones" for protestors around reproductive health clinics.

SB 366 (2014)

Authorizes two casinos in New Hampshire, regulated by the Gaming Commission.

SB 203 (2014)

Forbids the use of EBT cards or cash from EBT cards for alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets, firearms, or adult entertainment.

HB 1411 (2014)

Sends some of last year's budget surplus to the Department of Health and Human Services.

SB 367 (2014)

Increases the gas tax by four-cents per gallon and removes the toll at Exit 12 in Merrimack.

SB 153 (2013)

Gives the legislature power to review collective bargaining agreements entered into by the state.

HB 1 (2013)

Final 2014-2015 state budget, including increased funding for higher education, increased funding for services for individuals with mental illness and/or other disabilities, no Medicaid expansion, and no gas tax increase.

HB 306 (2013)

Changes RGGI to dedicate some of the proceeds to ratepayer rebates, and lowering the cap on carbon emissions, which will raise the cost of carbon credits to utilities and utility bills to consumers.

SB 99 (2013)

Requires an evaluation of the Site Evaluation Committee, which is responsible for approving new energy projects like the wind farm in Antrim.

HB 573 (2013)

Allows medicinal use of marijuana, without allowing home growing.

HB 2 (2013)

Makes various appropriations related to the budget bill, and establishes commissions to study Medicaid expansion and casino regulations.

SB 1 (2013)

Increases the Research and Development tax credit.

HB 501 (2013)

Sets the state minimum wage at $7.25, in place of federal minimum wage.

HB 370 (2013)

Repeals the education tax credit program, in which businesses receive tax breaks for contributing to a scholarship fund for low income students that wish to attend private school.

HB 595 (2013)

Revises 2011 voter ID law to delay requirement that poll workers photograph voters without ID; also allows student ID at polls.

HB 135 (2013)

Limits the use of deadly force, repealing "Stand Your Ground" in favor of the "Castle Doctrine." Under this bill victims could use deadly force within their homes without retreating, but anywhere else they would have to attempt retreat before resorting to deadly force.

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