Virginia State Legislative Election 2017 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. Should abortion be legal when the life of the woman is endangered?
- Yes

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

5. Other or expanded principles
- Every women should have the right to make decisions about their own healthcare, as those decisions are between her and her doctor. Furthermore, when have the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions, they are also economically more successful. They are able to get the jobs they need, and make decisions about starting a family, all having an important impact on our communities and the economy. That is why I support Planned Parenthood and the services it provides to Virginia women. It is also why I oppose laws that restrict access to healthcare, or guilts women for making healthcare 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. An income tax increase on any tax bracket
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- Government provides vital services for everyday citizens, and that reducing the size of government by cutting pensions and Medicaid for purely ideological reasons is simply irresponsible. As a social worker, I see everyday families that need access to social services and healthcare, like vaccines and health screenings that public employees provide. That's why tax payer should pay their fair share, and why we need smarter government, not less government, in Richmond.

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Individual
- Yes

2. Political Action Committee
- Yes

3. Corporate
- Yes

4. Political Party
- Yes

5. Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
- Yes

6. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

7. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

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

1. Other or expanded principles
- Our democracy is fragile, and we need to protect every voter's right to vote, and the ability of the voter to make an informed decision. Not only do we need redistricting reform with nonpartisan boards to draw our maps, we need to end conditional absentee voting in our state, allow for early voting, and expand the number of locations to vote. I will support ending any photo-ID requirements to vote. We also need to reduce the power of large campaign contributions, by preventing large corporations from contributing to campaigns, and create stronger disclosure rules for independent expenditures.

Crime & Public Safety

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

2. Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders, such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
- Yes

3. Do you support legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana?
- Yes

4. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No

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

6. Do you support delaying the seizure of assets by law enforcement officials until after a conviction?
- No

7. Other or expanded principles
- We need criminal justice reform at the state and federal level. Too many people are being incarcerated for non-violent offenses that 1) hurt our economy by not helping them become productive members of the community, and 2) create a greater burden on the tax payer by taking money away from public education and other services. We need to end mandatory minimum sentences, and invest in programs that help non-violent offenders. Finally, I am opposed to 287(g) laws that place state and local police in positions to enforce immigration laws. State and federal law enforcement should be protecting the community.

Economic

1. Do you support government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

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

3. Do you support reducing 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?
- Yes

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

7. Other or expanded principles
- We need to raise the minimum wage in Virginia. Families that have to work 3 jobs just make a living wage hurts our children, and keeps families from achieving their American Dream. Having been there before, I will support raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour. This puts more money in the pockets of families, strengthening the economy, and growing businesses and jobs.

Education

1. Do you support the national Common Core State Standards initiative?
- Yes

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- We need to invest in our schools, because our children are the future of Virginia. As a mom, I am running to expand services in our schools, so that every child has the chance to succeed. We need to raise teacher pay, so we can attract the best teachers to Virginia. Finally, I will oppose any laws or spending that place public funds in charters or private schools. Virginia is an inclusive community where any family can settle down and succeed, and anyone can start a small business. But that will not happen if we are committed to good 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 funding for open space preservation?
- Yes

3. Do you support government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- We need to protect our environment, and promote policies for smart growth, especially here in Northern Virginia. I support preserving pristine green spaces and farmlands, and will promote laws like the Land Conservation Tax Credit that encourages smarter land development policies. We also need to diversify our energy resources, moving away from fossil fuels to clean energy, and work with schools, colleges, and unions to train the next generation work force in the energy sector.

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 citizens be allowed to carry concealed guns?
- No

4. Should a license be required for gun possession?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- I support the Second Amendment, and the right of every citizen to own a gun. However, we need to implement responsible gun laws that protect our communities from gun violence. We need to close the gun show loophole, and require background checks on all gun sales. I will stand against laws like the Bazooka Bill, which would have allowed every Virginian to purchase military grade heavy weapons like grenades and assault rifles. And I support laws that allow guns to be taken when it is verified that an individual is not mentally competent, or in cases of domestic violence.

Health

1. Do you support a universally-accessible, publicly-administered health insurance option?
- Yes

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
- Yes

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- Yes

4. Do you support allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- I believe that if our country is the greatest country int he world, we have a responsibility to provide universal healthcare to our families. Healthcare is not just a right, it's an economic necessity that gives working families that opportunity to pursue their careers, and provide for their family. We need to support Medicaid Expansion in Virginia,a nd work towards a Single Payer system that make healthcare accessible for all. And I will fight with federal officials to improve on the progress made under Obamacare.

Social

1. Do you support same-sex marriage?
- Yes

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

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

4. Should individuals be required to use a bathroom that corresponds with the gender listed on their birth certificates?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- I support equality for all Virginians. We must end discrimination in our communities against women and the LGBT community. That means rejecting laws that promote discrimination, such as Marshall Bathroom bill that attempted to bring North Carolina-style scare tactics to our schools and public facilities. No group should feel inferior to another. As public servants, it is our duty and responsibility to create conditions that make everyone feel welcome and part our community.

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.
- As an elected official, I will fight to give hardworking families a place at the table in Richmond, and fight for policies that make Virginia an inclusive and welcoming state for everyone. I will fight to make affordable and accessible healthcare a reality for every Virginian. I will also fight to fund our public schools, so that children here can start businesses, and find jobs here in Virginia. Finally, I will work to improve our roads, and expand public transit options in Northern Virginia, like Virginia Rail Extension (VRE) and Metro system to Prince William County.