Ruth Heath

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?

"This program is draining money from public schools."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

"NH should codify a women’s right to make her own reproductive health decisions, including the decision to have an abortion in consultation with her doctor."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

"NH should codify a women’s right to make her own reproductive health decisions, including the decision to have an abortion in consultation with her doctor."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

"NH children are growing up in many kinds of families. Teachers need to be able to address their questions and concerns with understanding and compassion."

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"?

"This law is too vague and probably unconstitutional. It's effect (intended or not) is to inhibit teachers from encouraging critical thinking, a valuable skill in today's complex world and a necessary one to ensure educated voters. The provision allowing anyone to file a complaint fosters a witch hunt atmosphere."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

"We need a better way to fund our government and our schools, and a way to reduce property taxes for people who can least afford to pay. I would consider voting for an income tax that protected lower income people while distributing it fairly to towns to ease property taxes."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?

"Sales taxes tend to hit hardest on lower income people. I would only consider a limited sales tax that exempted essential items such as food, clothing, and FSA eligible items at drugstores."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

"This will not ease the loan burden of many students, merely ease it for those students lucky enough to work for a business that does this."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?

"We should not further reduce taxes on big, out-of-state corporations."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?

"Human activity has caused these changes and we need to act soon to stop pumping more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Action on climate will strengthen our economy, protect our key tourism industry, improve our health, and ensure a livable state for our grandchildren."

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?

"Undecided"

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?

"Use of electric vehicles eliminates carbon emissions into the atmosphere and makes our state more livable. The State should try to make electric vehicles more affordable, not less."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

"The housing shortage forces up rents and restrains business growth. The State should work with cities and towns to address the problem."

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?

"In fact, I believe we should strengthen the standards we have set. We need to transition to renewable energy as quickly as reasonably possible which will create good jobs, lower energy prices, make our air healthier, and limit our contribution to the changing climate."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

"NH should codify a women’s right to make her own reproductive health decisions, including the decision to have an abortion in consultation with her doctor."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

"This allows working people better access to voting, which is a every citizen’s right and responsibility."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

"This drug is no more harmful than alcohol, probably less when it's manufacture is controlled. Criminalizing it has caused great harm. All our surrounding states have legalized it making it easily available there. Moreover, it could become an important source of revenue."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

"This drug is no more harmful than alcohol, probably less when it's manufacture is controlled. Criminalizing it has caused great harm. All our surrounding states have legalized it making it easily available there. Moreover, it could become an important source of revenue."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

"This drug is no more harmful than alcohol, probably less when it's manufacture is controlled. Criminalizing it has caused great harm. All our surrounding states have legalized it making it easily available there. Moreover, it could become an important source of revenue."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?

"We need to establish a minimum wage that enables people who work full time to afford their basic needs like rent and food."

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?

"In 2012 the state cut back on funding to municipalities, forcing the towns to raise property taxes. This created an undue burden on local taxpayers."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

"This tax is predominantly paid by the very wealthy and I am inclined to keep the tax for that reason. However, some moderate income retirees' income is primarily interest and dividends. I would need to study this more."

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?

"The State's method of funding education puts too much burden on taxpayers in property poor towns. The Legislature should step up and device a fairer way to pay for schools that will equalize opportunity for children in ALL towns."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

"NH should codify a women’s right to make her own reproductive health decisions, including the decision to have an abortion in consultation with her doctor."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?

"We need a 'red flag' law, background checks, and waiting periods to ensure people who should not have guns don’t get them and to reduce cases of gun-related suicide."