Richard Swanson

"Education Freedom Account" program
Against| 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?

"It is a steal from our public schools and an attack on public education."

Ban abortion during 1st trimester
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

"I promise to protect abortion rights."

Ban abortion during 2nd trimester
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

"I promise to protect abortion rights."

Ban on discussing sexual orientation, gender identity in K-3
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?

"Against"

Ban on teaching certain concepts related to race
Against| 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"?

"It is censorship, and it is driving qualified teachers away from the profession."

Broad-based income tax
Other| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

"The people of NH are getting slammed by property taxes because the State is shifting the tax burden for education down to towns and cities. If the Sate is going to pick up its fair share, it will need to find a funding source other than property taxes. If not a broad based tax, we could legalize cannabis and dedicate a share of the revenues to public education. This has worked out very well for the schools in Colorado."

Broad-based sales tax
Other| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?

"The people of NH are getting slammed by property taxes because the State is shifting the tax burden for education down to towns and cities. If the Sate is going to pick up its fair share, it will need to find a funding source other than property taxes. If not a broad based tax, we could legalize cannabis and dedicate a share of the revenues to public education. This has worked out very well for the schools in Colorado."

Business tax credit for student loan repayment
For| 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?

"For"

Business tax decrease
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?

"Business taxes are not a barrier to business recruitment in New Hampshire. If we want to recruit businesses to the State, the best thing we can do is to have first-rate schools and an educated workforce. Businesses can pay their fair share."

Climate change action
For| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?

"Climate change is real."

Conditional, affidavit ballots for new voters
Against| 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?

"Against"

Electric vehicle fees
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?

"Against"

Encourage local zoning changes for housing development
For| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

"There is an affordable housing crisis in NH. A town should be able to provide incentives for affordable housing."

Extending renewable energy portfolio standard
For| 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?

"It will help us make the transition away from fossil fuels, and we will save money in the long term."

Guarantee right to abortion before 24 weeks
For| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

"I promise to protect abortion rights."

Mail-in voting
For| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?

"For"

Marijuana legalization with home-growing, no sales
For| 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?

"For"

Marijuana legalization with private sales
For| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

"For"

Marijuana legalization with state-run stores
Undecided| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

"Undecided"

Minimum wage increase
For| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?

"When I was a city councilmember in Flagstaff, Arizona, I wrote a local minimum wage ordinance. It narrowly failed 4-3, but it was an interesting discussion. A day's work ought to pay a living wage."

Permanent increase to local revenue sharing
For| 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?

"Yes, homeowners are getting slammed by local property taxes."

Phasing out Interest and Dividends tax
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?

"The wealthiest individuals pay the Interests and Dividends tax, and they can afford it. If we phase it out, where are we going to make up the difference?"

Public school funding through local property taxes
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Do you support the state’s current system of public school funding, with each district’s total funding primarily dependent on local property tax revenue?

"Education funding should be fair to students AND local property tax payers."

Repeal ban on abortion after 24 weeks
For| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

"I promise to protect abortion rights."

Stricter gun laws
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?

"Against"

Historical Details

Position on Issues

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?

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

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

Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?

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"?

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?

Should New Hampshire add a tax credit for businesses that contribute to student loan repayment for employees?

Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?

Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?

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?

Should New Hampshire add a fee or mileage charge for electric vehicle owners to help pay for transportation and/or electric infrastructure?

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

Should New Hampshire extend the renewable portfolio standard past 2025, requiring public utilities to obtain more than 25% of electricity from renewable energy sources?

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

Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?

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

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

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

Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?

Should the state permanently increase how much tax revenue it shares with towns and cities every year, beyond public school funding?

Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?

Do you support the state’s current system of public school funding, with each district’s total funding primarily dependent on local property tax revenue?

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

Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?

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