Tennessee 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 firmly believe in a woman's right to make decisions regarding her own body and her own healthcare needs, and I stand by her right to invite whomever else to participate in that decision-making process as she determines necessary. Furthermore, I standby and support a woman's right to privacy when making these decisions.

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. Other or expanded principles
- Tennessee is home to many dedicated and hard-working families and individuals who are trying to provide for their families and loved ones. When working to balance the budget, it is crucial that we protect the resources, healthcare, jobs, and services that these families need and not create new barriers.

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
- As Americans and as Tennesseans, the right to vote and the ability to vote are two of the most crucial aspects of our democracy. For this reason, I stand by policy and legislation that will minimize outside interference in our election process, push back against corruption, and eliminate barriers to our citizens voting. The future of our state and our country must be based on the desires of the people and not based on the desires of big business and powerful political organizations.

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
- Mass incarceration is a very real problem in our communities, both in Tennessee and across the country. American citizens are often arrested for minor crimes or charges, and then fall victim to unfair, undemocratic, and often discriminatory rulings and sentencings. The reality of this practice is especially harmful to immigrants and people of color. As a community, we must reject the practice of sever and unfair punishment, and instead invest in ways to lift our communities up.

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No Answer

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

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 Tennessee?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- Time and time again, working families fall victim to poorly thought-out legislation intended to promote economic growth and job opportunity. This reality forces many individuals to work multiple jobs with poor wages, few benefits, and unsafe work conditions. Tennesseans should not be forced to choose a job or economic opportunity over the health and well-being of their families. Instead, we need elected officials who do not settle for just any job growth, but who will fight for quality jobs that provide a livable wage and safe conditions.

Education

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

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

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
- I stand firm in my belief that issues that relate to the environment and energy must be a priority for Tennesseans. In recent decades, research has demonstrated that issues related to climate change and extreme weather have and continue to put the lives of millions at risk, including those who call Tennessee home. As state leaders, we cannot sit back and be passive as the safety, health, and well-being of our citizens is threatened. We must work to address environmental health concerns that already exist within our state, while also building the needed infrastructure and economic diversity to move forward.

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
- As a state, we must support and move forward on common-sense gun reform which respects the rights of our citizens to carry while also prioritizing the safety and security of our citizens and community. Tennesseans need responsible gun ownership and policy to match it.

Health

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

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

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

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?
- No Answer

6. Other or expanded principles
- Each year that we fail to expand Medicaid, Tennesseans lose $3.4 Billion in their taxpayer money that should be going to support the over 300,000 Tennseeans who do not have health insurance. On top of this, Tennessee currently leads the country in rural hospital closures, which leaves thousand without a job and thousands more without access to needed care. If elected, expanding Medicaid will be my top priority in the fight to save lives, to save jobs, and to fight back against the opioid epidemic.

Social

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

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

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

4. Should Tennessee permit localities to adopt "Sanctuary City" immigration policies?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- As an openly Gay man, I have first-hand experience on systemic discrimination and the role it plays in holding back members of the LGBTQ+ community, women, people of color, immigrants, those with disabilities, and those of a religious minority, many of whom call Tennessee home. As Tennesseans, we must stand up to protect and support many of our neighbors and fellow Tennesseans who are discriminated against daily. If elected, I will carry this battle with me to Nashville and fight for those who are underserved and underrepresented.

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.
- If elected, Medicaid Expansion must be the priority for myself and fellow legislators. Tennessee currently leads the nation in rural hospital closures, is a leader in issues related to the opioid epidemic, and is seeing a gradual rise in infant mortality. This is on top of the over 300,000 Tennesseans who do not have health insurance, many of whom are veterans and many more who live with a mental illness. We must fight to bring home the nearly $3.4 Billion in our federal taxes that we are losing each year, to ensure the health and well-being our fellow Tennesseans.