Idaho State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- Yes

3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- I have had many experiences with women who've been forced to terminate pregnancies, those who've delivered stillborn children, and many other reproductive health issues, including uterine cancer. In my opinion, women should be the ones to lead the conversation and make choices about their own bodies, with the insight of highly educated medical staff. I do not believe the state should interfere in these deeply medical issues, but no doctor should have to perform such a procedure due to personal convictions.

Budget, Spending, & Tax

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- No

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- No

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No

4. An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- I believe that proportionate income taxes on the wealthy are essential for a functioning government. Otherwise those who benefit from public services, such as roads and an educated workforce continue to accrue higher wealth that can be funneled towards the suppression of labor. If we do not tax those in higher income brackets, then the wealth disparity and access to capital by the middle class decreases. I also believe the state should not increase funding to the prison industrial complex and instead focus on rehabilitation programs that keep the formerly incarcerated out of jail.

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- Yes

2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- The primary duty of government is to ensure accessibility to government by the people. By limiting financial contributions to politicians, restraining interest groups in their financial control of campaigns, defending against gerrymandering, and ensuring voting rights, we can preserve that accessibility of the people.

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- No

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Yes

3. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No

4. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- No

5. Do you support the legalization of Cannabidiol Oil (CBD) for medical purposes?
- Yes

6. Do you support prohibiting the use of handheld electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- Non-violent drug crimes that do not endanger children are a waste of resources for our police departments. In order to preserve the peace, law enforcement should be focused on de-escalating violent situations and engaging in preventative community work. Motor vehicular regulation is also a chief concern as a motor vehicle is one of the most potentially dangerous machines that citizens utilize for necessary transportation.

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- No

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- Yes

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- No

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Idaho?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- The New Deal was a successful example of a government promoting economic development through investment. At key points of opportunity, the state should invest in economic interests to create long-term growth, with a specified time period for the withdrawal of economic support. Meanwhile within the sphere of welfare services, the sheer volume of those in need vs. the expense of drug testing is a hindrance to the overall processing and improvement of those individuals lives.

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in Idaho?
- Yes

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- No

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Idaho high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- Yes

4. Should elementary students' reading test scores influence teachers' pay raises?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- I do not support state funding for charter schools on the basis that they have the ability to limit student volume, whereas a traditional public school cannot. It goes against the primary goal of public education to provide education for all students. As for immigrants who are unlawfully present, since they have been raised within our state borders and contribute to our state's economy, they should have access to in-state tuition.

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- As the state looks out for the public health of its citizenry and the economic necessities of renewable resources, rather than finite, it must look to limit damaging environmental practices.

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Yes

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- Yes

3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- No

4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- I believe that responsible gun ownership is a cornerstone of Idaho's identity. Our gun carrying citizens have a respect for life and the ramifications of firearms. However unrestricted access to firearms can increase opportunities for misuse, the same way we expect those operating motor vehicles to be licensed. I do understand though that all decisions about firearms must be legally sound with the state's constitution. I would never waste the taxpayer's money by supporting legislation that is in clear violation.

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- Yes

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through Idaho's health care programs?
- Yes

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- No

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- Yes

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- Yes

6. Other or expanded principles
- I believe that a healthy population creates less economic strain on the whole body. I do not, however, support requiring individuals to pay money to private insurance companies when we have a tax system that can be modified to collectively engage with pharmaceutical and medical companies for public health.

Social

1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Idaho's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Idaho's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

3. Do you support greater efforts by Idaho state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- All of these would spur greater economic activity within the state, bringing qualified minority workers, and would align us with the International Bill of Human Rights.

Legislative Priorities

In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- My key concerns are mental health resources for the people of Idaho, kindergarten expansion, and agricultural infrastructure for young farmers. Mental health concerns will have to be a joint venture with non-profit health organizations and public universities to invest in mental health programs, with the strain being taken off our prisons. Kindergarten expansion is a natural next step and we will see a natural economic boost as working parents can devote more hours in the workforce. Agricultural infrastructure will be a partnership with the private agricultural sector and banking, increasing small farms' economic growth into larger enterprises.