Massachusetts 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
- As a published author on reproductive health, freedom, and justice, I know that regardless of age, race, or economic status, every woman should be able to choose if, when, and how to have a family. I will be a staunch advocate for women's health care, and a steadfast defender of Roe v. Wade. I am honored to be endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, Mass NOW, and the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus.

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
- I will work to achieve the Fair Share Amendment legislatively.

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. Do you support allowing candidates to use their campaign funds for childcare?
- Yes

6. 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?
- 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
- 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?
- 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 Massachusetts?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- With regard to regulating the private sector, I support smart and appropriate regulatory structures.

Education

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

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- We need serious public education funding reform at the state level. Our public schools need support. I am very proud to be endorsed by the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) and will be an active advocate for our public schools.

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 am proud to be endorsed by the Mass. Sierra Club.

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 will advocate for registering individual firearms, similar to how we register our vehicles. I will also advocate for gun violence prevention measures in domestic violence situations. I am proud to be a Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in American candidate of distinction.

Health

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

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through Massachusetts'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
- I will be a steadfast advocate for truly universal access to affordable, quality health care. I am proud to be endorsed by Mass-Care, the leading organization in Massachusetts advocating for a single payer health care system so that all residents of the Commonwealth will have access to comprehensive, quality, affordable and equitable health care because it is basic to life and human dignity.

Social

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

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- I am proud to be endorsed by MassEquality, the Bay State Stonewall Democrats, and the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus.

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 top priority is to advance social justice, fairness, and equality for all, so everyone gets a fair shot at living their happiest, healthiest lives. To me, that includes active leadership on these and other issues: health care, opioid epidemic and addiction, transportation, education, women's health and reproductive freedom, the environment, supporting working families, and increased government transparency, accountability, and efficiency.