Montana 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
- Women's right to control their own reproductive lives--and everything that is done to their bodies--is an essential human right, one which I have fought for throughout my adult professional life in academe and related contexts. In my current campaign--which has gained the endorsement of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana--I am also stressing the need for high quality access to healthcare and comprehensive sex education throughout rural Montana.

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. Eliminating block grants to public school districts?
- No

6. Decreasing funding to the Montana Department of Health and Human Services?
- No

7. Other or expanded principles
- Re answer d, I could support increasing income tax on those who fall into the highest brackets--i.e. the "1 percent," of whom Montana has a substantial population.

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
- Government-issued photo IDs have been proven effective in voter suppression--and they are not necessary. Proof of age, citizenship/eligibility, and residency are sufficient.

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. Other or expanded principles
- While I believe it should be up to federal officials/agencies to enforce immigration laws, I also believe these agencies must be working within clearly articulated, and morally/legally justifiable, parameters. The current practice of separating children from their parents, for example, is reprehensible. So, too, is any federal crackdown on sanctuary cities. These are but two examples of a widespread problem of abuse in the system.

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 Montana?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- The conservative argument re anti-taxation and "keeping government out of our lives" is a smokescreen for shifting the burden of keeping our society running to those least capable of bearing it.

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in Montana?
- No

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- Montana has an excellent public education system, and we must keep it that way. Education constitutes the lion's share of the general fund. And the state's constitutionally stated commitment to funding high quality public education--free K-12, and affordable higher education--is an essential feature of the fabric of our society.

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
- State government has a crucial role to play in confronting climate change, in positive and constructive ways. On the one hand, it is up to the state to do whatever it can to guarantee those life essentials--clean air, water and environment--that constitute basic human rights. On the other, it is up to the state to pave the way toward new, improved ways of thinking and living: renewable energy, non-extractive industries, the abolition of dangerous pesticides and herbicides. We must top killing ourselves and our planet!

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
- As to question c.: The National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers and MT Federation of Professional Employees all oppose gun-toting teachers. These folks ought to know, and as a retired professor, I agree. There are other solutions to providing a safe learning environment for our students. Re question d, while I would oppose the general licensing of most firearms, I would support requiring a license (akin to that required for a fully automatic gun) for AR-15 style weapons.

Health

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

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

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- Yes

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. Do you support increasing state funding for tracking and reporting opioid usage and overdoses?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- We also need to devote plenty of strategic funding to confronting the suicide rate in Montana--especially among Native Americans and teenagers.Actually, I am shocked at the absense, across the board, of mental health issues in the above questions!

Social

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

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

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

4. Should individuals be required to use a bathroom that corresponds with the gender listed on their birth certificate?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- The questions above suggest a good start to the task of achieving true gender and sexual equality throughout society. But only a start.

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: Ensuring adequate funding and equal access to the best of public education at all levels, but with particular emphasis on the MT higher education system, which is under direct threat of downsizing academic programs in the name of "economy."Environment: Ensuring rights of private landowners, while protecting our precious public lands, and keeping control of decision-making about Montana lands in Montanan hands. In this context I am particularly concerned about regulating--toward their eventual elimination--those extractive industries that are poisoning our air and water. Supporting private landowners and small business folks in the adoption of sustainable energy is one strategy.