Mary Murphy
Running for: NH House Hillsborough County District 27
Completed our 2026 State Candidate Survey
Position on Issues
For| Read My Position
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?
"I support education freedom. However, I will probably submit legislation this term to restrict allowable expenses to the same IRS-approved list for 529 Plans. This will address any concerns that the program is being abused, and that these grants are taxable at any level."Other| Read My Position
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?
"I am in favor or segregation based on biological sex in matters concerning sports and prisons in which a male's superior biological strength and stamina might physically endanger a female. I am in favor of segregation based on biological sex in matters concerning public buildings. However, in the case of privately owned establishments, I am in favor of allowing the business owner to decide. Consumers have the ultimate power of voting with their wallets, and owners will have liability if there is ever an incident."Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"NH has an existing abortion law that was a long fought compromise between pro-life legislators and pro-abortion legislators before my term. My answers reflect the current law. The Governor has publicly stated she will veto any bill that seeks to change the current law, so I will not be spending any energy this issue, as it would waste taxpayer money. New Hampshire has more pressing needs largely focused on improving the affordability of property taxes, housing, utilities and energy, childcare, and education. I focused on these issues in my first term, and will continue to focus on these issues where are higher priorities for my voters."Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"NH has an existing abortion law that was a long fought compromise between pro-life legislators and pro-abortion legislators before my term. My answers reflect the current law. The Governor has publicly stated she will veto any bill that seeks to change the current law, so I will not be spending any energy this issue, as it would waste taxpayer money. New Hampshire has more pressing needs largely focused on improving the affordability of property taxes, housing, utilities and energy, childcare, and education. I focused on these issues in my first term, and will continue to focus on these issues where are higher priorities for my voters."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"I am the principal architect of the NH Advantage 2.0 Strategy which obviates the need for any income or sales taxes by focusing instead on growing business profits through a 3-prong strategy that includes 1) deregulation and expansion of their international market access, 2) using tactical legislation, such as our Right To Try and Trust laws, to recruit 5 strategic high-margin industries to NH and 3) establishing a Court of Chancery to collect incorporation fees. This latter component of the strategy would allow us to increase revenues without destroying the rural character of our state. Deregulation would be accomplished within the constraints of not harming the consumer or the environment. The NH Advantage 2.0 strategy will more than replace this lost revenue over time and will earmark some business profits taxes to both reward pro-growth towns in NH and replace the Statewide Education Property Tax, giving residents initial property tax relief. This NH Advantage 2.0 Strategy is viewed positively by both the BIA and NFIB the members of which would be taxed because it is a 'win-win' strategy. A new caucus will be created, and more than 16 other State Representatives have expressed an interest in joining."Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"I am not in favor of lowering business taxes until we address our high dependence on property taxes to fund state and local services. Property owners and renters need relief. As part of implementing the NH Advantage 2.0 strategy, other State Representatives, Senators, and I will be working with the Department of Revenue Administration to restructure business taxes in a revenue neutral way, but one that does not penalize young companies during vulnerable growth stages the way our current tax structure works. I am a member of the House Ways & Means Committee and was not in favor of reducing the BET via a rate reduction, but voted in favor of raising the minimum revenue at which the tax begins to apply so that 4,700 small businesses were spared. I think the state needs to review the competitiveness of our current business tax structure, improve it, but not increase our dependency on property taxes to fund state or local services. We also need to address our very high cost of education which comprises the largest component of our property tax bill and bring this cost down."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"A significant reason our median home value and price are over $500,000 is a problem of limited supply and high demand. Also, federal, state, and local regulations have added over $100,000 to the cost of the average new home. These are problem federal, state and local governments should address in cooperation with each other. The NH Advantage 2.0 Strategy seeks to rejuvenate the state by keeping our young people in NH with higher paying jobs and recruiting new working age families to NH. We must increase housing of ALL types in order to succeed and thrive."For| Read My Position
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?
"Bringing in Natural Gas through our coastline should be our short-term solution, but would require changes or the elimination of the Jones Act. Nuclear is a longer-term solution with a proven track record of safety. In additional to SMRs, we should explore Fast-Neutron Reactors of different types which can re-use our existing spent nuclear fuel rods stored underneath Seabrook to save money. NH already has municipal and state permit approvals in place. Our federal permit expired and must be renewed. Our U.S. Congressional Representatives should make getting this approval fast tracked a priority."Against| Read My Position
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?
"New Hampshire operates under a system known as Net Metering 2.0 (or the Alternative Net Metering Tariff). Because solar owners pay less toward distribution charges, the fixed costs of maintaining the entire electrical grid get unfairly shifted onto lower-income residents and non-solar customers. In addition, there is potential for solar owners to sell their surplus power back to the utility at a loss depending upon a number of factors."Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire restore funding for the Office of the Child Advocate?
"The current level of funding is probably adequate and was the result of a very heated debate and negotiation between House Finance, Senate and Governor. The Office of the Child Advocate will be given an opportunity to make their case for an increase in the next biennium budget, and I will review their past two-year performance to see if this is merited."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"NH has an existing abortion law that was a long fought compromise between pro-life legislators and pro-abortion legislators before my term. My answers reflect the current law. The Governor has publicly stated she will veto any bill that seeks to change the current law, so I will not be spending any energy this issue, as it would waste taxpayer money. New Hampshire has more pressing needs largely focused on improving the affordability of property taxes, housing, utilities and energy, childcare, and education. I focused on these issues in my first term, and will continue to focus on these issues where are higher priorities for my voters."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire reinstate the interest and dividends tax?
"It is not necessary to reinstate the Interest and Dividends tax. The state has more to gain from having no income tax. Evidence: Massachusetts lost $6 billion in tax revenues from migration of high-income earners who moved specifically to New Hampshire from 2012 to 2023. This trend is accelerating. These families now spend their discretionary income in OUR local businesses. The NH Advantage 2.0 strategy will more than replace this lost revenue over time and will earmark some business profits taxes to both reward pro-growth towns in NH and replace the Statewide Education Property Tax, giving residents property tax relief."Other| Read My Position
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?
"My NH Advantage 2.0 Strategy has the objective of earmarking some Business Profits Tax to replace locally assessed Statewide Education Property Tax. However, the cost per student, cost of special education, cost to maintain under-enrolled facilities and rapidly rising cost of employee benefits are all creating a strain on local property taxpayers. To make matters worse, student proficiencies are unacceptable and are trending down. As a member of Ways & Means with education experience, I am being considered for a bi-partisan sub-committee that will work to restructure the education funding formulas to achieve greater equity across towns and determine an adequate state contribution. There are other legislative efforts underway to examine special education costs and efficiencies and reductions in administration and facilities costs throughout the state."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?
"NH already has a problem with DUI drivers. Why would we want to add to this problem? National highway studies indicate that states with legalized recreational cannabis see a higher percentage of fatally injured drivers testing positive for THC. NH is already experiencing problems due to our neighboring states because our citizens cross the border to buy. People point to the potential tax revenue being lost. However, I point to the NH Advantage 2.0 Strategy as the solution to the state's revenue growth needs, not a hallucinogenic that will add to the state's mental health, cancer, and other costs."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"NH already has a problem with DUI drivers. Why would we want to add to this problem? National highway studies indicate that states with legalized recreational cannabis see a higher percentage of fatally injured drivers testing positive for THC. NH is already experiencing problems due to our neighboring states because our citizens cross the border to buy. People point to the potential tax revenue being lost. However, I point to the NH Advantage 2.0 Strategy as the solution to the state's revenue growth needs, not a hallucinogenic that will add to the state's mental health, cancer, and other costs."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"NH already has a problem with DUI drivers. Why would we want to add to this problem? National highway studies indicate that states with legalized recreational cannabis see a higher percentage of fatally injured drivers testing positive for THC. NH is already experiencing problems due to our neighboring states because our citizens cross the border to buy. People point to the potential tax revenue being lost. However, I point to the NH Advantage 2.0 Strategy as the solution to the state's revenue growth needs, not a hallucinogenic that will add to the state's mental health, cancer, and other costs."For| Read My Position
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?
"We have had illegal immigrants vote multiple times in New Hampshire elections. Even one illegal vote cancels the vote of a legal citizen. It should not be tolerated."For| Read My Position
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?
"I support education freedom. Parents are taxpayers and should retain the right to re-school their child if it is in the best interests of the student. That said, it must be accomplished in a way that does not create budget problems for sending or receiving schools."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"NH has an existing abortion law that was a long fought compromise between pro-life legislators and pro-abortion legislators before my term. My answers reflect the current law. The Governor has publicly stated she will veto any bill that seeks to change the current law, so I will not be spending any energy this issue, as it would waste taxpayer money. New Hampshire has more pressing needs largely focused on improving the affordability of property taxes, housing, utilities and energy, childcare, and education. I focused on these issues in my first term, and will continue to focus on these issues where are higher priorities for my voters."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should state law cap how much local school districts can increase their budget each year?
"I am for local control. Under existing NH law (like RSA 32:5-c), towns and school districts already have the legal mechanism to implement their own local tax caps if voters want them. That said, we have a problem with low attendance at most town elections due to work conflicts and other reasons. Towns tend to use "voice" votes rather than division or roll call votes. In smaller towns, voters might be intimidated by a vocal minority. We need to move this type of question to the federal election cycles to ensure higher voter turnout where any vote would be more representative of the townspeople."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"New Hampshire is ranked the #1 state in the country for safety. Guns don't kill people. People do. We have mental health, drug, and alcohol addiction problems in our state. THAT is where we should focus our energy and investments. We do not have enough mental health counselors or treatment centers to help these people. We need to address these critical shortages ASAP. I also am in favor of enhanced penalties for drug dealers to reduce the ease of access."
