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?
- No Answer

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Budget, Spending, & Tax

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

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- No Answer

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No Answer

4. An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- No Answer

5. Other or expanded principles
- Fortunately these questions are not really relevant since Massachusetts already has a balanced 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?
- Yes

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

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- No Answer

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

6. Other or expanded principles
- I believe we need to take additional steps to tackle the issue of "dark money" in our electoral process. I also support efforts to overturn the Citizens United decision.

Crime & Public Safety

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

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 Answer

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

5. Other or expanded principles
- Recreational Marijuana is already legal in Massachusetts. We do not have Capital Punishment in Mass. Under our Youthful Offender law, minors are only prosecuted in adult courts in cases of a felony involving firearms or serious bodily harm. Federal immigration laws should be enforced by federal immigration officials.

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?
- Yes

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 Massachusetts?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

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?
- No Answer

4. Other or expanded principles
- I believe we need to make adjustments to the Chapter 70 Foundation Budget formula to better account for rising costs of health insurance and special education. I favor an increase in the minimum per-pupil spending formula to help school districts that don't have rising enrollments fill their budget gaps.

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
- No Answer

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?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- We have strict gun control laws already on the books in Massachusetts.

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?
- No Answer

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?
- No Answer

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

6. Other or expanded principles
- I support greater hospital spending transparency. I also believe we should do more to support telemedicine and community hospitals.

Social

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

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- These questions are outdated. We have done all these things in Massachusetts.

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.
- Renewable energy, education & local aid