South Dakota State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-life

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

3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- From conception to natural death. Adoption is a very viable alternative.

Budget, Spending, & Tax

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- No

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- Yes

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- Don't spend what you don't have will have a more lasting affect on the budget. Reducing the number of FTE's and requiring less redundancy throughout the varies departments would have a powerful affect on the budget.

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?
- No

3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- No

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- Yes

5. Do you support South Dakota transitioning to an open primary election system?
- No

6. Do you support prohibiting out-of-state contributions to state ballot initiative committees?
- No Answer

7. Other or expanded principles
- Since the Supreme Court has ruled that your money is a form of free speech, prohibiting contributions would be a direct assault on the 1st Amendment. However, the consideration of contribution limits is something I would consider.

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- Yes

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

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?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- Question c) must be considered on a case by case basis. What is your definition of a violent crime? My opinion would be to educate and reform the juveniles in other life choices.

Economic

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

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- Yes

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- No

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- Yes

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of South Dakota?
- No

7. Do you support legalized state-sponsored sports betting in South Dakota?
- No

8. Other or expanded principles
- Question b) must be considered by what state taxes would be lowered. Question e) random drug testing would be preferable due to the cost of compliance.

Education

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

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

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from South Dakota high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- Question a) Education is a state issue not federal.Question b) must take into consideration after state funding runs out who would absorb the cost?Question c) US citizens must pay out-of-state tuition, but by being unlawfully present in the US should nullify any chances of receiving an education.

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- No

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- No

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- a) allow the free market to innovate when supply & demand requires such. We should consider nuclear energy.b) unless the entire world is involved the impact of regulations on US businesses would not be cost efficient.c) the definition of clean water by "chemically eliminating pollutants" should be examined.

Gun

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

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?
- Yes

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

5. Other or expanded principles
- b) more research needed to verify which requirements are in place now.c) if teachers are trained and comfortable with the responsibility of carrying a gun.d) the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution is my license but I have no problem with background checks.

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- No

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through South Dakota's health care programs?
- No

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

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

6. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Social

1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in South Dakota's anti-discrimination laws?
- No

2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in South Dakota's anti-discrimination laws?
- No

3. Do you support greater efforts by South Dakota state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- c) pay scales should only be supported by your ability to do the job, your experience in the job field and should be left to the employer/employee

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.
- 1) constitutional carry2) occupational licensing3) regulation reform