Alabama 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 am pro-choice. I believe all citizens should have autonomy over their own body & the freedom to make the correct medical decisions for themselves. I am not pro-abortion. It is an option that in an ideal world would be avoided, but the world isn't ideal. I want women to have access to safe medical procedures & not seek this option outside of the supervision of doctor. I believe AL should take greater steps to teach all options for preventing pregnancy & quality sex education in our schools. Abstinence only teaching is not the answer.

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?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- Alabamians cannot afford to lose pay, benefits or medical care to correct a budget & revenue issue that could have been remedied long ago. We can not increase income tax on those who hover around the poverty line. I would favor eliminating the federal deduction on state income tax to make up the revenue if AL eliminates sales tax on groceries. Property tax increases are more stable & fair for funding the state. There are many large land owners, both individuals & corporations, who are not paying their fair share. AL's regressive tax system needs changes from top to bottom.

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
- I do believe campaign finance reform is needed at both the state & federal level. I believe if elected officials put the people over party working for all citizens that their record will speak for itself. The officials should not need to be in a highly gerrymandered district to win if they are working for the best outcomes for their district & the state. I do believe either an independent or bipartisan redistricting committee would be helpful in creating districts that make sense.

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 Answer

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

5. Other or expanded principles
- The vast inequities in our justice system & the greater expense to execute prisoners due to the appeals process both lead me to conclude that capital punishment isn't a viable means of punishment. I do believe the legalization of marijuana could help our state financially via tax revenue, as well as keeping minor offenders out of prison thus not putting a further strain on our overcrowded prisons. Given that brains are not fully developed until a person is in their 20s I feel that rehabilitation efforts should be made for minors through the juvenile justice system when possible.

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?
- No Answer

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 Alabama?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- There are situations where investing in a project to promote economic development makes sense, but doing so must be balanced against the needs of the state & it's citizens to ensure that the return on investment makes it a sound project. AL isn't in the position to lower taxes given its low tax base. AL needs complete tax reform so that it is no longer so regressive in its tax base. I do not support drug testing for welfare recipients because other states have found it to be expensive & yielded a low number of recipients using drugs.

Education

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

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

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

4. Do you support increasing funding for the state education budget?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- Funding charter schools has taken money from public schools that are vital to the children of the state. Our schools will thrive when we have the means to equitably fund schools & encourage diverse student populations. I do support finding the means the to increase the education budget. I would support well written legislation for an education lottery to fund programs at all levels. I would support a program to allow for in-state tuition as a student takes steps to become a citizen. Children do not have a choice in where their parents raised them whether legal or illegal.

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
- The state of Alabama must work to adopt a water plan. We must take steps to protect our environment for ourselves and future generations.

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 support sensible gun legislation that balances public safety against preserving 2nd amendment rights with reasonable requirements for the purchase of guns.

Health

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

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through Alabama'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. Other or expanded principles
- The state needs to take measures to increase funding for addiction treatment as well as mental health care. These programs are grossly underfunded in our state. I support the requirement of vaccinations to attend public schools regardless of religious beliefs. It is a matter of public health and safety. I support their right to not vaccinate if children will not be attending public schools.

Social

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

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

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

4. Do you support the removal of Confederate monuments from public spaces?
- Yes

5. 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.
- My first priority is to support the governor expanding Medicaid for the state as a means of insuring the 300,000 uninsured, saving rural hospitals and infusing our economy with revenue & jobs. My second priority is to work on well written legislation for an education lottery that will increase funding from pre-K and going up to adult re-training for jobs. The legislation should seek to preserve the funds in the education trust fund for education, as well as leave no room for loopholes or abuse of funds for items other than education, while using increased revenue to improve education.