Joseph D. Kenney
PO Box 201
Union, NH 03887
United States
Serving as: NH Executive Council District 1
Completed our 2022 Executive Council Candidate Survey
Position on Issues
For| Read My Position
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?
"For"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"The NH state law is 24 weeks in order to allow for an abortion. My personal position has always been that abortion should only be used in the cases of rape, incest, or if the mother's heath is in jeopardy."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"The NH state law is 24 weeks in order to allow for an abortion. My personal position has always been that abortion should only be used in the cases of rape, incest, or if the mother's heath is in jeopardy."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?
"This type of education has no place within this age group."
For| Read My Position
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"?
"New Hampshire and its public school system need to focus on reading, writing, and math. There is no need to tear down other races, sexes, or low points in American history. The educational system needs to evolve, not devolve. Teach, do not preach."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire add a tax credit for businesses that contribute to student loan repayment for employees?
"Yes, students need options in the workforce to relieve student debt."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"I believe rooms and meals taxes could be lowered. Phasing out the Interest and Dividend taxes would be beneficial."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"More scientific study and education are needed to better explain the impact of manmade pollution onto the environment and we need to better understand what natural occurrences exist that may impact global warming."
Other| Read My Position
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?
"If someone needs an identification card to get on a plane or to pick up a prescription at a pharmacy, then they should be able to provide an affidavit and appropriate documentation to prove they are allowed to vote based on residency, age, and community address."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support state contracts with faith-based organizations?
"The Council has approved faith-based contracts in the past that are non-profits who can provide a service that the state cannot."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support state contracts with Planned Parenthood?
"I have supported many other family planning services associated with health care clinics that do not provide abortions. Planned Parenthood does abortion services and therefore our federal and state laws prohibit public funding to organization who provide abortion services."
For| Read My Position
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?
"If electric vehicles are going to use the public highways and put wear and tear on our road system, then they need to be assessed a user fee. In essence, the initial wave of electric cars are apart of an pilot program but once this time period is over and there are more electric vehicles using electric charging stations and drawing off the grid, it will be imperative to assess a user fee structure to support NHDOT and its infrastructure."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Would you have voted to accept federal funds to support COVID-19 vaccinations in New Hampshire?
"Only under this condition: it is not federally mandated by the CDC and that it is optional. State rights should prevail and there should be not strings attached by accepting federal COVID funding."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"New Hampshire needs to enforce what is currently on the books for gun laws."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?
"New Hampshire is a small state, citizens should be able to go to polls and vote. It's a good time to reconnect with ones community and to see democracy in action. Understandably, some citizens cannot vote in person because of health, military service, or other reasons so the system allows them to vote absentee ballot."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?
"Recreational marijuana needs to remain illegal. The frequent use of marijuana only adds to the decadence of society. It is a gateway drug and it can impact the early development of a young brain. I do support medical marijuana for chronically ill people who are adults."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"Recreational marijuana needs to remain illegal. The frequent use of marijuana only adds to the decadence of society. It is a gateway drug and it can impact the early development of a young brain. I do support medical marijuana for chronically ill people who are adults."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"Recreational marijuana needs to remain illegal. The frequent use of marijuana only adds to the decadence of society. It is a gateway drug and it can impact the early development of a young brain. I do support medical marijuana for chronically ill people who are adults."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"Let the market forces dictate wages. No one is making minimum wage. I support NH's current law which states when the federal minimum wage increases our state minimum wage increases at the same time on par with the federal level."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Are you open to approving no-bid state contracts?
"All contracts should be put out to bid. It's the American way!"
For| Read My Position
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?
"I think in good state revenue years, these money needs to be shifted to the local municipalities to support local infrastructure projects or to offset taxes. In bad revenue years, the state needs to balance its budget and provide essential state services and allow the local communities to tighten their budgets during an economic slow down periods."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?
"For"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should a nominee’s political beliefs be an important factor when deciding on a judicial appointment?
"I would be more interested in their constitutional beliefs, legal experiences, professional recommendations, and community service."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should a nominee’s political beliefs be an important factor when deciding on an appointment to the executive branch?
"No, I believe the person who is most qualified and can provide the best service to the state is the person I would vote for, regardless of political beliefs. However, I would encourage executive branch commissioners or directors to lessen their political activism and beliefs while in a position of authority so as not to disrupt the organization and/or personnel under them."
For| Read My Position
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?
"For"
For| Read My Position
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?
"It is unlikely that New Hampshire will obtain it renewable portfolio standard by 2025. When the law went into effect in 2007, the year 2025 looked like a possibility. Time has proven more infrastructure and investment is needed. I support an extension."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"The NH state law is 24 weeks in order to allow for an abortion. My personal position has always been that abortion should only be used in the cases of rape, incest, or if the mother's heath is in jeopardy."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"The NH state law is 24 weeks in order to allow for an abortion. My personal position has always been that abortion should only be used in the cases of rape, incest, or if the mother's heath is in jeopardy."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"No, New Hampshire prides itself on local control. Town Fathers and Mothers need to make their own decisions when it comes to zoning for housing projects. New Hampshire is a small state and we need to manage its growth."
