Phillip James Walker

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?

"In general I am against it because it has been abused. The program should be much smaller, but I am not against it in principle, and it could be useful to build flexibility into a redesigned funding system."

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 would need to study the issue and especially exactly what the law would or would not allow. I can see where segregation by biological sex might be reasonable in a few circumstances but should only be allowed under circumstances that do not unduly stigmatize transgender people."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"Women need control over their own bodies."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"Women need control over their own bodies."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

"We have a broken tax system. I am not against a broad-based tax on income but before we try establishing completely new revenue sources, we should fix what is obviously broken, like our property tax system and bring back revenue sources that have worked in the past. We should also look hard at special interest expenditures such as the educational voucher system."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?

"This is too broad a question. I am comfortable with taxing business income, but would want to see specifics. Some business taxes could be increased and others increased."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"We need higher density housing in NH. This should be tied to reforms in school funding to avoid placing undue burdens on towns that expand higher density housing."

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?

"Green energy (and nuclear energy IS green) is a big win for NH. Not only does it combat climate change but local energy production helps stabilize our utility prices against wild market fluctuation and also keeps our money closer to home."WE need higher density housing in NH. This should be tied to reforms in school funding to avoid placing undue burdens on towns that expand higher density housing."

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?

"Green energy is a big win for NH. Not only does it combat climate change but local energy production helps stabilize our utility prices against wild market fluctuation and also keeps our money closer to home."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire restore funding for the Office of the Child Advocate?

"For"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"Women need control over their own bodies."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should New Hampshire reinstate the interest and dividends tax?

"It makes good sense to bring back the Interest & Dividend tax because it taxes unearned wealth from affluent residents who are getting a largely free ride."

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?

"Our current school funding system is unfair and inefficient. I would prefer to see a statewide property tax with equitable and adequate funding for all schools. I would also support exemptions for homeowners and on the flip side a surcharge for high-end vacation homes."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"I am very nervous about marijuana use in general. It is probably bad for you in excess, as are many things. I do not like excessive regulation and I think growing for personal use is fine. As for commercial sale, I am open to a good argument but I would want to hear about the health impacts in detail. Also, I do not want "big weed" in NH. It would need to be NH grown and processed with strict NH oversight."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"I am very nervous about marijuana use in general. It is probably bad for you in excess, as are many things. I do not like excessive regulation and I think growing for personal use is fine. As for commercial sale, I am open to a good argument but I would want to hear about the health impacts in detail. Also, I do not want "big weed" in NH. It would need to be NH grown and processed with strict NH oversight."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"I am very nervous about marijuana use in general. It is probably bad for you in excess, as are many things. I do not like excessive regulation and I think growing for personal use is fine. As for commercial sale, I am open to a good argument but I would want to hear about the health impacts in detail. Also, I do not want "big weed" in NH. It would need to be NH grown and processed with strict NH oversight."

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?

"Citizenship is a legal requirement for voting but the old affidavit system is sufficient so long as there is no evidence of as problem. If there is actual evidence of a problem we can look at stricter requirements. In general I am against unnecessary burdensome government regulation."

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?

"The devil is in the details. Under the current funding system I would oppose open enrollment but with a different funding system I could see where some flexibility could be built in without excessive cost to the local school."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

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

"Women need control over their own bodies."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should state law cap how much local school districts can increase their budget each year?

"A cap is a cheap trick that does not address underling drivers of rising costs, and could be disastrous for an already underfunded district. A cap might make sense in a completely different funding scenario, but we are not there yet."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026

Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?

"We have a very low crime rate, few gun-related problems, and a large hunting population. I don't think we need more regulation."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?

"I strongly believe in fair taxation. This can be accomplished through a broad based tax, but need not be done that way. Top priority for me is fair taxation, and lower property taxes for most NH residents, especially in towns with struggling school systems. I would favor a statewide property tax but with individual homeowner exemptions as the fairest way forward without a new tax, but I am open to a range of ideas so long as taxation is fair and equitable, and schools are adequately funded."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?

"Again, I feel in some circumstances it can be warranted, but not across the board. I could see a capital gains tax with a substantial personal exemption for primary home and for other assets up to a set limit."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?

"It would be good for the planet and also for NH. NH does not produce oil, gas or coal, the major sources of carbon emissions. Any effort to lessen our use of these resources keeps jobs and money in NH."

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?

"This is needless bureaucracy. The pre-existing system of provisional ballots works very well. With the provisional ballot system ID only becomes relevant when the election is very close, in which case ballots can be reviewed."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the state increase funding for child care providers?

"This is a big issue for the NH labor market. Support to child care will both ease the labor shortage and also help move families into the middle class. That said, I also believe that we should remove excess regulation that inhibits market solutions to childcare shortages."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?

"This is a simple and effective way to alleviate poverty in NH. As it is, it is extremely hard to find labor in the state."

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?

"For"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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

"It is not a State responsibility, local law enforcement is stretched thin, and we are already overburdened with federal mandates. NH should encourage the federal government to fulfill its obligations."