Richard "Rick" Merkt
Overview
Business manager; former mayor and legislator
BA History, Yale University; JD, Fordham University School of Law; MGA (MPA) University of Pennsylvania
80 Hurricane Road
Westmoreland, NH 03467
United States
Richard Merkt submitted the following statement to Citizens Count:
"Rick Merkt is a long-time community leader in the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire. He embodies the spirit of public service. Rick has extensive experience over the years in public service.
"He is a co-founder of a local public charter school and an advocate for educational choice, Rick has dedicated himself to improving the lives of children and families in the Granite State. His diverse experience in business and public service has instilled in him a practical, common-sense approach that is reasonable and responsive to public concerns. Rick recognizes that cooperation achieves the best results, and his consideration of others in formulating positions has earned him a reputation as a thoughtful and effective civic leader.
"Residing in Westmoreland with his wife, Rick has both managed small businesses and served as corporate counsel, giving him a special understanding of regional economic needs. His extensive public background includes service as
"a local school board member,
"town manager,
"mayor,
"legislator,
"deputy attorney general,
"chief administrative officer,
"and highway commissioner."Each position has helped Rick hone his skills in governance and community building, reinforcing his belief in practical solutions and the benefit of cooperative effort.
"Now, as he runs for State Senate in New Hampshire, Rick Merkt brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of dedicated service to the table, ready to tackle new challenges and to continue to serve our Monadnock community with integrity and commitment.
"Rick Merkt's campaign is built on a foundation of common sense, aiming to address the practical needs of the people living in New Hampshire Senate District 10. For residents, this means a focused commitment to prioritizing public safety and health in the Monadnock Region and ensuring that our quality of life is protected and enhanced. Rick grasps the importance of making government operations affordable and efficient, so taxpayer dollars are used wisely and effectively. His approach is rooted in actively seeking the input of voters, asking them to identify critical problems and suggest solutions they believe will work best.
"Residents can expect from Rick a collaborative and transparent effort in tackling the issues that matter most to them. His vision for the future involves forging a brighter path for everyone in the Granite State, where community input shape the policies and decisions that impact our daily lives. Working with the people of New Hampshire, Rick Merkt is dedicated to building a future that is safer, more prosperous, and reflective of our common values and needs."
History
Position on Issues
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state increase funding for child care providers?
No Response
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 Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?
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?
"Give parents choice regarding decisions on their children's education."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"Viable unborn babies deserve legal protection of their lives."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"Viable unborn babies deserve legal protection of their lives."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?
"This topic has no place in primary school."
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"?
"Racist teachings have no place in any school."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"Never"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"Never"
Against| 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?
"No taxpayer subsidies to repay debts the taxpayers did not authorize."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"NH Advantage: lower taxes lead to increased economic growth and opportunity."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"NH government should focus its time on delivering high quality government services (e.g. roads) at the lowest cost feasible."
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?
"I oppose same-day registration, as it defeats the verification value of voter registration."
Against| 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?
"I oppose new taxes."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"Leave local government to make local policies."
Against| 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?
"State mandates are a bad idea. They allow politics to distort sound business decision-making."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"Viable unborn babies deserve legal protection of their lives."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?
"General mail-in voting invites systemic voting fraud."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support New Hampshire’s current system of public school funding, with about two-thirds of total funding coming from local property taxes?
"Favor local decision making on taxes and spending."
Other| 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?
"Decriminalization is a sound policy, but otherwise, the state should stay out of the marijuana business."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"Decriminalization is a sound policy, but otherwise, the state should stay out of the marijuana business."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"Decriminalization is a sound policy, but otherwise, the state should stay out of the marijuana business."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"Markets fix wages based on supply and demand. Government mandates only damage the economy by distorting costs."
Against| 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?
"'Permanently' is a long time; does not allow for changed conditions."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?
"This is an anti-senior tax that punishes those who planned and save for their retirement."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"Viable unborn babies deserve legal protection of their lives."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"Against"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire ban abortion after 24 weeks gestation, with exceptions for cases of rape/incest and health complications?
"For"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire increase the tax on cigarettes?
"I will co-sponsor requiring a super-majority for any such tax, regardless of nomenclature ('tax', 'fee', 'premium', etc.)."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire add restrictions to the governor's powers during a state of emergency?
"I will sponsor legislation to assure effective legislative oversight during any future emergency."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
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?
On the 2020 Citizens Count survey, Merkt indiciated he was "For" increasing the size of solar panel installations that may participate in net energy metering.
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire increase public access to reports of police misconduct?
"Open and accountable government is the best government."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should NH legalize the recreational use of marijuana?
"De-criminalize usage. Prosecute drug dealers."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire increase the size of solar panel installations that may participate in net energy metering?
"For"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire increase subsidies and tax credits for business investment?
"Government ought not try to manage the economy. Just lower taxes, cut regulation, and get out of the way."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire increase the base amount of per-pupil funding it provides to local school districts?
"The best thing the state can do is to reduce its regulation of local school districts and thus help lower costs."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Do you support Gov. Sununu's proposal to allow employers and employees to opt-in to a private, paid family and medical leave insurance plan, based on a pool of state employees, excluding coverage for personal illness?
"Let people who want this opt-in. People who do not want or need this should not be compelled to pay."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire continue to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which requires utilities to purchase allowances for every ton of carbon they emit?
"Against
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire create a road usage fee?
"I will co-sponsor requiring a super-majority for any such tax, regardless of nomenclature ('tax', 'fee', 'premium', etc.)."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire create a statewide family and medical leave program, paid for with a percentage of employee wages, with no opt-out?
"This is a proposed tax on earned income, no matter what euphemism sponsors use."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire provide student loan debt repayment programs for workers in industries with labor shortages?
"Government should not meddle in industry hiring. This will lead to more over-regulation. Let the market decide."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire add tax incentives for affordable housing development?
"This is not a core duty or function of State Government."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire allocate tax revenues for private and home schooling costs?
"This is a great way both to reduce state and local costs, while giving parents more say over their children's education."
