Montana State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- No Answer

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- No Answer

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- I have spent my life working to improve the lives of children and families. I was fortunate to have three children and the resources to raise them into healthy adults. I think this issue has been used for political gain and I reject the false dilemma of pro life or pro choice. I also support a woman's right to privacy. The decisions made by a woman in relation to her own body is her business.

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 Answer

5. Eliminating block grants to public school districts?
- No Answer

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

7. Other or expanded principles
- In the last session, significant cuts were made to departments at the state level. I believe state government is working more efficiently now. If there are places we can make changes to continue to increase efficiency, I would consider those proposals. As for increased taxes, revenue has to come from somewhere and most of the voters in my district do not want additional property taxes, so I would consider other sources of revenue.

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
- No Answer

Crime & Public Safety

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

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- No Answer

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 Answer

5. Other or expanded principles
- For issues that I can't answer, I would need to know more about how the issue would impact my community and what the constituents of this district would support.

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 Answer

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

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 Answer

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

7. Other or expanded principles
- We need good infrastructure and an economy to support it.

Education

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

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?
- No Answer

4. Other or expanded principles
- I think federal guidelines are appropriate as we are a United States, but I prefer state standards as they are more sensitive to the local population.

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
- We need to continue our transition to clean energy and support people and communities during this transition.

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- No Answer

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- No Answer

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

4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
- No Answer

5. Other or expanded principles
- I am surrounded by responsible gun owners and I am concerned about disenfranchised people in our society and the safety of children. We need to protect our constitutional rights AND continue to build a peaceful and just society. We made airports safer after 9/11. I believe there are many things we can do to make schools safer.

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?
- No

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- No Answer

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- No Answer

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

7. Other or expanded principles
- Again, there are issues that I have an opinion on, but the job I'm working toward is to represent a group of Montanans. I think people should be responsible for their health care and that health care needs to be affordable. If people can afford and don't want health insurance, they just need to have a method to pay. For people who can't afford insurance, we need to determine the least expensive way to provide the health care they need. I think uncompensated care ends up costing everyone more money.

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
- People should be recognized as individuals first and not be discriminated against for any reason.

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.
- I support Education, a clean and healthy Environment, a diverse Economy and Ethical decision making. I want people to have access to public lands and respect the rights of private property owners. As we move into the future, we need a diverse economy that includes agriculture, tourism, mining, and manufacturing. We need to consider all sources of revenue to strengthen our public institutions while maintaining a balanced state budge. We need to uphold our Montana Constitution to 'maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment' for the future. I am committed to doing the work to make this happen.