New Jersey 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
- No Answer

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 support budgetary and fiscal policies that ensure that New Jersey can meet its obligations, including making the wealthy pay their fair share. I am concerned about increasing tax obligations to our citizens because New Jersey is one of the most heavily taxed states. Specifically to question d, I wholeheartedly support reinstating the millionaire's tax, and will consider many other solutions to support fiscal responsibility, while balancing the burden on our taxpayers.

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?
- No

1. Other or expanded principles
- There currently exist campaign contribution limits. I have always and will continue to abide by those restrictions.

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 Answer

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
- I sponsored S2003, which made sweeping juvenile justice reforms. I am committed to continuing to make the necessary changes to help young people from being victimized by the criminal justice system.On immigration, I believe that Dreamers are valued members of our community. As a legislator I will do everything I can to support them.On the seizure of assets by law enforcement, I would consider changing the current law after a careful review of the proposal, as there may be unintended consequences to changing this policy.

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?
- No

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

7. Do you support legalized state-sponsored sports betting in New Jersey?
- Yes

8. Do you support a tax on short-term housing rentals in New Jersey?
- No

9. Other or expanded principles
- While there are many important issues for the upcoming election, unfortunately, property taxes remain a major concern. New Jersey remains one of the highest taxed states in the nation, and serious reforms are needed to change that. New Jersey residents must also be able to earn a living wage.I support reasonable regulations on the private sector that help ensure that New Jersey remains a clean, and environmentally friendly place to live.

Education

1. Do you support the national Common Core State Standards initiative?
- No

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- Education continues to be extremely important to me, because we need quality, affordable and accessible eduction for everyone in our state.

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
- By making our state more sustainable, it can create a better future for generations to come. To do this, I am committed to growing green jobs, because it is a critical component of advancing our environmental and economic interests in New Jersey. Trenton needs leadership that will protect our environment, and that starts with enforcing existing environmental regulations as well as crafting new policies with an eye towards a renewable energy future.

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
- No Answer

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
- No Answer

Social

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

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

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

4. 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.
- During my time in the State Legislature, it has been my priority to make New Jersey a better place to live, work, and raise a family. My priorities have been to support and protect our most vulnerable populations, and I have been a strong advocate for education, the environment, and juvenile justice reform. I have been a member of the New Jersey Legislature for more than 20 years, and wish to continue this work for years to come.