Moira K. Ryan
Running for: NH House Rockingham County District 16
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?
"As someone with a graduate degree in Education Policy and years of experience advocating for students with disabilities and their families, I have learned that education is not one-size-fits-all. Every child learns differently, and no single educational setting is the best fit for every student. I support Education Freedom Accounts because they give families additional options to find the educational environment where their child can succeed. I also believe we should continue supporting strong public schools, because they remain the right choice for many families. Parents deserve meaningful choices, and every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential."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 believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and no one should face discrimination because of who they are. At the same time, I believe there are certain settings—such as bathrooms, locker rooms, overnight accommodations, and some athletic competitions—where biological sex may be an appropriate consideration to protect privacy, safety, or fairness. Any policy should strive to respect the rights and dignity of all individuals while thoughtfully balancing these competing interests."Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"Abortion is one of the most difficult and personal issues families can face. I support maintaining New Hampshire's current law, which balances respect for unborn life with limited exceptions in difficult circumstances. I recognize that every family's situation is unique, and these decisions are often made under incredibly challenging circumstances. I do not believe New Hampshire should move toward more extreme policies in either direction."Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"Abortion is one of the most difficult and personal issues families can face. I support maintaining New Hampshire's current law, which balances respect for unborn life with limited exceptions in difficult circumstances. I recognize that every family's situation is unique, and these decisions are often made under incredibly challenging circumstances. I do not believe New Hampshire should move toward more extreme policies in either direction."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"When I talk with people, I hear the same concerns over and over again. Families are worried about rising grocery bills, higher mortgage payments, increasing utility costs, and whether they'll be able to afford to stay in the communities they love. At a time when so many people are struggling with the cost of living, I cannot support a broad-based income tax. Government should be looking for ways to help families keep more of what they earn—not take more of it. I believe we can do that through responsible spending, encouraging economic growth, and supporting the businesses that create jobs and strengthen our communities."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"I support maintaining a competitive business tax environment because businesses create jobs, provide services, and generate the revenue that helps fund state government. When local businesses grow, they hire employees, invest in their communities, and broaden the tax base. That can reduce pressure to raise taxes on homeowners and families. However, any changes to business taxes should be made responsibly, with careful consideration of their impact on the state budget and essential public services. Many of our smaller businesses, places like Estey's Country Store, share with their community by sponsoring holiday lights as well as gift cards to concert on the commons and share with the community because lowering taxes enables them to do so."Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"I support encouraging communities to consider zoning changes that increase housing opportunities, but I also believe local communities should have a meaningful voice in those decisions. New Hampshire faces a real housing shortage that affects young families, seniors, veterans, and employers trying to attract workers. Thoughtful zoning changes—such as accessory dwelling units, redevelopment of underutilized properties, and appropriate workforce housing—can help address these challenges while preserving the character of our communities. I believe solutions should balance the need for additional housing with local planning, infrastructure, public safety, and environmental considerations."Other| 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?
"New Hampshire is already home to Seabrook Station, which provides a significant portion of the state's electricity. At this time, expanding nuclear generation is not an issue currently before the Legislature (that I am aware). If proposals for new nuclear development or expansion were brought forward, I would evaluate them based on their fiscal impact, public safety, environmental considerations, reliability, and whether they would provide long-term value to New Hampshire families and businesses."Other| 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?
"I support policies that help New Hampshire families reduce their energy costs, but I also believe those policies should be fair to all ratepayers. Before expanding net metering, I would want to ensure that it encourages innovation and consumer choice without unfairly shifting costs to homeowners, renters, or businesses that are unable to participate."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire restore funding for the Office of the Child Advocate?
"I believe New Hampshire has a responsibility to protect vulnerable children, but I am not convinced that restoring funding for the Office of the Child Advocate is the best use of limited state resources. Based on my observations, I have concerns about whether the office has consistently focused on its intended mission. Given our limited resources, I would prioritize funding for direct services and offices with demonstrated need, such as the Office of the Special Education Advocate, which plays a critical role in helping families navigate complex special education issues and is currently under-resourced."Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"Abortion is one of the most difficult and personal issues families can face. I support maintaining New Hampshire's current law, which balances respect for unborn life with limited exceptions in difficult circumstances. I recognize that every family's situation is unique, and these decisions are often made under incredibly challenging circumstances. I do not believe New Hampshire should move toward more extreme policies in either direction."Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire reinstate the interest and dividends tax?
"I understand why reasonable people disagree about repealing the Interest and Dividends Tax. My concern is that many New Hampshire residents—particularly retirees and others living on investment income—had planned their retirement around the savings they had accumulated over a lifetime. At a time when families are already dealing with inflation and rising costs, I believe we should be cautious about taxing people's savings. At the same time, I also believe we have a responsibility to ensure the state is fiscally responsible and can fund its core obligations without simply shifting costs elsewhere."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?
"I believe New Hampshire's reliance on local property taxes places a significant burden on many homeowners, particularly seniors on fixed incomes and young families struggling with rising housing costs. We should continue to support local control of education while looking for responsible ways to reduce pressure on property taxpayers. I do not believe the solution is simply to replace property taxes with a broad-based income or sales tax. Instead, we should encourage economic growth, broaden the tax base, ensure state education funding is distributed fairly under the law, and spend taxpayer dollars efficiently so communities can provide a quality education without placing an ever-increasing burden on homeowners. Under current leadership, effort has been made to increase funding from the state to the schools, however, there are additional funding sources which should be explored and a little creativity goes a long way like the districts effort to find sponsor for the local sports fields to defray the costs form taxpayers."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?
"I oppose the legalization of recreational marijuana because I believe it poses risks to public health and public safety. I am particularly concerned about impaired driving, the impact on young people, and the message legalization sends about recreational drug use. While I support appropriate access to marijuana for legitimate medical purposes under existing law, I do not support expanding its recreational use in New Hampshire."\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?
"I oppose the legalization of recreational marijuana because I believe it poses risks to public health and public safety. I am particularly concerned about impaired driving, the impact on young people, and the message legalization sends about recreational drug use. While I support appropriate access to marijuana for legitimate medical purposes under existing law, I do not support expanding its recreational use in New Hampshire."\Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"I oppose the legalization of recreational marijuana because I believe it poses risks to public health and public safety. I am particularly concerned about impaired driving, the impact on young people, and the message legalization sends about recreational drug use. While I support appropriate access to marijuana for legitimate medical purposes under existing law, I do not support expanding its recreational use in New Hampshire."\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?
"I support requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for new voter registrations because voting is a fundamental right of American citizens, and reasonable verification helps maintain confidence in our elections. I have personal experience with this process when helping my disabled child obtain the documentation he needed. While it took some effort, it was not an impossible burden. I believe the state should make the process as straightforward as possible and provide assistance to those who have difficulty obtaining the necessary documents, while still ensuring that only eligible citizens are registered to vote."Other| 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 reasonable public school open enrollment because I do not believe every child learns best in the same educational environment. While our public schools work hard to meet the needs of diverse learners, no single school or program is the best fit for every student. Some students thrive in specialized programs, career and technical education, or schools that better match their individual learning needs. Open enrollment, when implemented with appropriate limits and adequate resources, can provide families with additional educational opportunities while maintaining local control and ensuring schools have the capacity to serve all students effectively."Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"Abortion is one of the most difficult and personal issues families can face. I support maintaining New Hampshire's current law, which balances respect for unborn life with limited exceptions in difficult circumstances. I recognize that every family's situation is unique, and these decisions are often made under incredibly challenging circumstances. I do not believe New Hampshire should move toward more extreme policies in either direction."Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should state law cap how much local school districts can increase their budget each year?
"As someone who has spent years working in education policy, I understand the desire to control property taxes. Families are feeling the effects of inflation, and every tax dollar matters. However, I don't believe an arbitrary school district tax cap is the answer. Schools must be able to respond to changing student needs, legal obligations, and economic realities. Historically, rigid caps have often reduced educational opportunities rather than improving efficiency. I believe we should demand transparency, accountability, and responsible budgeting while allowing local communities to make decisions about the level of investment they want in their schools."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"As a disabled Army veteran, I understand both the importance of responsible firearm ownership and the constitutional rights protected by the Second Amendment. I do not believe stricter gun laws that primarily affect law-abiding citizens are the most effective way to reduce crime. Instead, I support enforcing existing laws, addressing violent offenders, and promoting responsible firearm ownership and safety."
