Arkansas 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
- Denying Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood denies patients of the right to choose their healthcare provider, even though Medicaid funds are NOT used to fund safe, legal abortions provided by PP clinics. Withholding Medicaid funds from Planned Parenthood denies patients access to many vital services such as mammograms, pap smears, hormone replacement therapy, access to birth control, and maternity/prenatal care.

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
- While I do not support a tax increase, I oppose cutting taxes for the top earners in the state. With one of the highest poverty rates in the nation, we need to invest in policies and programs that help eliminate generational poverty in Arkansas.

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?
- 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
- While I would not introduce legislation legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes, I would support a citizen backed ballot initiative if passed by the people of Arkansas. Regarding charging a minor as an adult for violent crime: It would depend on specific circumstances. But generally speaking, I think it's a bad idea the treat minors as adults for criminal justice purposes.

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

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 Arkansas?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Education

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

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- I support Dreamers and believe that they should be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities.

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?
- 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?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Health

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

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through Arkansas's health care programs?
- Yes

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

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. Should able-bodied Medicaid recipients meet a work requirement to be eligible for benefits?
- No

7. Other or expanded principles
- Medicaid enables eligible people to work by paying for health care when they need it. It is not a disincentive to work.

Social

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

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

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

4. Do you support the removal of Ten Commandments monuments from public spaces?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

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.
- Providing high quality public education for all children is a top priority, as well as ensuring that all Arkansans have access to quality affordable health care. I would eliminate the tax cut for the wealthiest to fund these priorities.