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Position on Issues

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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?

"There are many ways to educate a child. Parents should be able to choose programs and methods that they know will work best for their children and their lifestyle. A child's education can come in the form of public, private, charter, homeschool or perhaps some other model. We've already seen so many innovations in remote and hybrid models of learning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Education delivery is not, and should not be, a 'one size fits all' program. All parents, together with their children's input, should be free to decide their own path. I believe that education funding should follow the child and be utilized in the best interest of every child in New Hampshire. Education funding can be a complicated, emotional and sticky issue, but we must find solutions that allow parents to choose what works best for their children, and provides sensible and realistic spending on education. Furthermore, for those who say we shouldn't spend public money on private endeavors...we already do that in other areas. We spend public money on private healthcare and private social services, and grants for all sorts of projects (public private partnerships). Public monies are also spent on lobbying efforts through dues paid to organizations that perform lobbying activities. I support education choice, as it is most beneficial for the child and it also creates competition in the education field. Competition creates a better product in the end."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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

"New Hampshire's abortion laws are reasonable and protect viable healthy life in the third trimester. Abortion is legal and permitted FOR ANY REASON through the first two trimesters - that's 6 months (24 weeks) - and legal in certain circumstances such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to mother's health, in the third trimester. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks, so New Hampshire's law restricting abortion after 6 months (24 weeks) is not an infringement on women's reproductive choice. NH laws are not extreme! New Hampshire's law is very similar to laws in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and many other states, including California! Interesting to note that in most European countries, abortion is generally permitted within a term limit below fetal viability (e.g. 12 weeks in Germany and Italy, or 14 weeks in France and Spain), and they also permit exceptions to allow abortion later in the pregnancy. The longest term limits in Europe - in terms of gestation - are in the United Kingdom and in the Netherlands, both at 24 weeks of gestation. The majority of New Hampshire voters agree with, and support, the law that New Hampshire has in place. Our laws give women a full 6 MONTHS to make an informed decision regarding abortion. I believe our current laws are reasonable, and we are not seeking to change them."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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

"New Hampshire's abortion laws are reasonable and protect viable healthy life in the third trimester. Abortion is legal and permitted FOR ANY REASON through the first two trimesters - that's 6 months (24 weeks) - and legal in certain circumstances such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to mother's health, in the third trimester. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks, so New Hampshire's law restricting abortion after 6 months (24 weeks) is not an infringement on women's reproductive choice. NH laws are not extreme! New Hampshire's law is very similar to laws in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and many other states, including California! Interesting to note that in most European countries, abortion is generally permitted within a term limit below fetal viability (e.g. 12 weeks in Germany and Italy, or 14 weeks in France and Spain), and they also permit exceptions to allow abortion later in the pregnancy. The longest term limits in Europe - in terms of gestation - are in the United Kingdom and in the Netherlands, both at 24 weeks of gestation. The majority of New Hampshire voters agree with, and support, the law that New Hampshire has in place. Our laws give women a full 6 MONTHS to make an informed decision regarding abortion. I believe our current laws are reasonable, and we are not seeking to change them."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

"Against"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?

"Against"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?

"Lower business taxes help businesses grow and reinvest in their business and also is an incentive for companies sto be based in NH."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?

"Against"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?

"The only thing I would say is that the state should help municipalities with the costs of hardening infrastructure (hazard mitigation) and also dealing with disaster relief efforts. Also, the state should assist the agriculture community when they have to deal with weather related crop damage and soil erosion as a result of changing weather patterns. We are seeing more severe weather related events and need to address how the state may assist in response to those events."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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 did vote to create a conditional 'affidavit ballot' for voters registering on Election Day without ID (SB 418), but I do think that people should register to vote before election day and provide all required documents in advance of election day. I do not approve of same day registration as I think it is burdensome to our poll workers."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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

"I support local control of municipal zoning. Municipalities should decide for themselves how to manage the character of their town."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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?

"Net metered energy created by individuals is purchased by power companies for retail rates instead of wholesale rates - so this makes energy/power more expensive for the other energy customers. I think there needs to be a change in how net metered energy is purchased by power companies before we allow expansion. Otherwise, the cost of energy will continue to rise."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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

"New Hampshire's abortion laws are reasonable and protect viable healthy life in the third trimester. Abortion is legal and permitted FOR ANY REASON through the first two trimesters - that's 6 months (24 weeks) - and legal in certain circumstances such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to mother's health, in the third trimester. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks, so New Hampshire's law restricting abortion after 6 months (24 weeks) is not an infringement on women's reproductive choice. NH laws are not extreme! New Hampshire's law is very similar to laws in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and many other states, including California! Interesting to note that in most European countries, abortion is generally permitted within a term limit below fetal viability (e.g. 12 weeks in Germany and Italy, or 14 weeks in France and Spain), and they also permit exceptions to allow abortion later in the pregnancy. The longest term limits in Europe - in terms of gestation - are in the United Kingdom and in the Netherlands, both at 24 weeks of gestation. The majority of New Hampshire voters agree with, and support, the law that New Hampshire has in place. Our laws give women a full 6 MONTHS to make an informed decision regarding abortion. I believe our current laws are reasonable, and we are not seeking to change them."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the state increase funding for child care providers?

"Against"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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

"Until a better model is presented, I think we should try to improve what we have. The problem is school spending and what they are spending it on. Why is it that enrollments are down, but school costs have skyrocketed? Public education is an important part of every community's budget and should not be short changed, but we must also demand that funding is being used efficiently, sensibly, and effectively to help our children achieve all that they can be."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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

"In examining other models from other states I am not convinced that this is a huge generator of income for the state. The costs or drug addiction programs and running cannabis operations is huge. That being said, I am not inclined to punish people for using/possessing marijuana either...and I also think Home-growing is OK for self use only. I am not sure about involving the state in federally illegal activity of selling cannabis. I'd like to see the federal government change remove it from schedule 1 drugs. I am also not a fan of licensing retail operations in NH where licenses can be scooped up by huge corporations shutting out small mom and pop operations. I also have issues with not being able to detect driving under the influence and feel that this is also a problem, especially for law enforcement. So I see a lot of problems with making a business activity out of this in NH, even though I don't see a problem with adults who want to grow or use cannabis in their own home."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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

"In examining other models from other states I am not convinced that this is a huge generator of income for the state. The costs or drug addiction programs and running cannabis operations is huge. That being said, I am not inclined to punish people for using/possessing marijuana either...and I also think Home-growing is OK for self use only. I am not sure about involving the state in federally illegal activity of selling cannabis. I'd like to see the federal government change remove it from schedule 1 drugs. I am also not a fan of licensing retail operations in NH where licenses can be scooped up by huge corporations shutting out small mom and pop operations. I also have issues with not being able to detect driving under the influence and feel that this is also a problem, especially for law enforcement. So I see a lot of problems with making a business activity out of this in NH, even though I don't see a problem with adults who want to grow or use cannabis in their own home."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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

"In examining other models from other states I am not convinced that this is a huge generator of income for the state. The costs or drug addiction programs and running cannabis operations is huge. That being said, I am not inclined to punish people for using/possessing marijuana either...and I also think Home-growing is OK for self use only. I am not sure about involving the state in federally illegal activity of selling cannabis. I'd like to see the federal government change remove it from schedule 1 drugs. I am also not a fan of licensing retail operations in NH where licenses can be scooped up by huge corporations shutting out small mom and pop operations. I also have issues with not being able to detect driving under the influence and feel that this is also a problem, especially for law enforcement. So I see a lot of problems with making a business activity out of this in NH, even though I don't see a problem with adults who want to grow or use cannabis in their own home."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?

"Raising the minimum wage will hurt small business, the agriculture community and places like general stores. We have already seen in other places that when the minimum wage is raised, those costs are shifted to consumers ultimately raising prices and causes further inflation. It also cause businesses to cut hours and lay off workers. Let the market dictate what businesses should pay their workers. There's actually a small percentage of people in NH working for wages below what is considered federal minimum wage ($7.25/hr). In 2020, the CPS survey estimated that only 235 people in New Hampshire earned the minimum wage.It's probably less than that number by now! (https://jbartlett.org/2021/05/does-anyone-in-new-hampshire-make-the-7-25-an-hour-minimum-wage/ )"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire add legal protections for residents of other states who travel here for health care related to abortion or gender transition?

"No additional legal protections are necessary. Our laws in NH are sufficient."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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

"New Hampshire's abortion laws are reasonable and protect viable healthy life in the third trimester. Abortion is legal and permitted FOR ANY REASON through the first two trimesters - that's 6 months (24 weeks) - and legal in certain circumstances such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to mother's health, in the third trimester. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks, so New Hampshire's law restricting abortion after 6 months (24 weeks) is not an infringement on women's reproductive choice. NH laws are not extreme! New Hampshire's law is very similar to laws in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and many other states, including California! Interesting to note that in most European countries, abortion is generally permitted within a term limit below fetal viability (e.g. 12 weeks in Germany and Italy, or 14 weeks in France and Spain), and they also permit exceptions to allow abortion later in the pregnancy. The longest term limits in Europe - in terms of gestation - are in the United Kingdom and in the Netherlands, both at 24 weeks of gestation. The majority of New Hampshire voters agree with, and support, the law that New Hampshire has in place. Our laws give women a full 6 MONTHS to make an informed decision regarding abortion. I believe our current laws are reasonable, and we are not seeking to change them."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?

"Just like local businesses should use E-Verify for employee hires, I think law enforcement should work with federal immigration enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?

"I believe in the right to bear arms and the right to protect oneself and one's family. I don't believe that more laws restricting gun ownership do anything to deter crime or stop violent acts. Gun control only helps criminals by disarming everyone else. Every heinous mass murder was perpetrated by someone who broke many laws in the first place, so one more law will not matter, nor will it prevent these horrific crimes. Statistics prove that places with more gun control laws have more gun crime, and places with less gun control laws are safer. Furthermore, when horrific acts like Newtown or Parkland happen, it is always the people who did not pull the trigger that are punished with bans and other harsh and ridiculous restrictions. That to me is not only unfair, but immoral. There are other effective solutions to gun crime and mass shootings. Banning firearms, restricting firearms use and requiring more registration or reporting are not effective or reasonable solutions."

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