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
- We should be focusing on programs that reduce unintended conceptions as a way to lower the abortion rate. Education and readily available contraceptives have been shown to be effective in accomplishing this. While I support the current law that public funds should not be used specifically for abortions, we need to ensure that organizations that provide women's health care for low income individuals are adequately funded.

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
- The last tax package passed by the Idaho Legislature gave huge cuts to the top 1%-5% of earners and very little to the middle class. If any increase of income tax is needed, it should ONLY be applied to this highest bracket.

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 current state of campaign finance rules makes it very difficult for people to become first time candidates. The process has become dominated by dark money and corporate interests. Redistricting MUST be independent and non-partisan. It has become a way for the majority to put their thumb on the scale of fair elections. Rather than putting more restrictions on voting, we need to look for ways to get more people to the polls so that our democracy continues to thrive.

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?
- Yes

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
- No Answer

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?
- Yes

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
- While the state government should not spend money on specific corporations or individuals for economic growth, it should fund programs that build the environment for growth. For example: our government should fund research into renewable energy production that would benefit Idaho and that industry as a whole. We need private sector regulations that protect the environment and ensure safety and fairness. We also need to look at reducing regulations that are in place to protect special interests.

Education

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

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- Yes

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
- Federal education standards should be the absolute minimum. Idaho should set standards above those for our children's education. Public charter schools should only be funded if: they do not discriminate in any way; they are funded by the same formula as other public schools; and their administrators and teachers are held to the same licensing standards as other public school staffs. We need to recognize that each child learns at a different rate and in different ways. Instead of looking at absolute scores, we should evaluate teachers' performances based on the amount of improvement they nurture in students.

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
- No Answer

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?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- I support the 2nd amendment and legislation that will ensure responsible gun ownership. I support common-sense gun regulations such as limiting the access to firearms by domestic abusers and those who pose an imminent threat to society due to mental illness.

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 health care is a right and that people should not have to pay exorbitant premiums to get it. We need to expand Medicaid now to those who are in the coverage gap and start working toward ways we can make access to healthcare more affordable for all. Instead of forcing individuals to buy insurance, we need to institute Medicare For All and eliminate this type of question. There are instances where the government needs to step in and advocate for a child's health or safety. Prevention of common childhood diseases through immunization is one of these situations.

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
- No Answer

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.
- Education: We need to pay teachers a fair and living wage and invest in an education system that prepares children for our dynamic, high tech economy. This will attract and grow companies that pay higher wages. Funding should come from the elimination of tax exemptions we are providing to special interests. Quality of Life: we need to promote a better quality of life by ensuring access to affordable healthcare, funding infrastructure improvements by developing a comprehensive plan for growth, and preserving and protecting access to public lands. Those who benefit from the growth should share fairly in funding infrastructure improvements.