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?
- Yes

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- Reproductive justice is critical for women's social and economic empowerment. As the founder and co-organizer of the Massachsuetts Chapter of the Women's March, I am a strong proponent of expanding access to reproductive health care. As State Representative, I will work to ensure that women of all racial, socio-economic, and geogrpahic backgrounds are able to access the care they need and deserve.

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 supported the Millionaire's Tax which would have levied a higher income tax on those who earn more than one million dollars a year. Despite the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's disappointing decision regarding this tax, I would support creative strategies to ensure that the highest income earners in Massachusetts pay their fair share for the services and support all people need to thrive.

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

6. Other or expanded principles
- I believe that Good Government and Strong Democracy require the participation of all members of our communities. Our current system favors corporate lobbyists and the financial gains of special interest groups over the interests of Massachusetts residents and the future health and well-being of our communities. As State Representative, I will continue to engage with individuals at the grassroots level to make it easier for residents to engage in government and our democracy.

Crime & Public Safety

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

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

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

5. Other or expanded principles
- I believe our Commonwealth and nation must face how, in particular, structural racism has shaped our housing, criminal justice, health care, employment, and education systems. I believe that legislators must be willing to develop new policies and forms of accountability to ensure that women and transgender people do not live in fear of sexual violence, that communities of color are not over-policed and under-resourced, that every person is able to enjoy their neighborhoods and other public places, and that people of all sexualities are treated with dignity, respect, and love.

Economic

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

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 Massachusetts?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- I do not believe our state can continue to thrive and move toward a vibrant, equitable future unless we close the gaps in economic inequality. Economic inequality is caused by many confounding policies--the cost of health care, lack of affordable housing, unaffordable child care, union busting, suppressed wages, and the list goes on. In order to ameliorate economic inequality in our state and nation, we must take a multi-pronged, bold approach to raising revenue and making investments in all the things that people need to thrive.

Education

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

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- High quality, universal public education is one of the most critical ingredients to economic justice and a strong economy. As a parent of two children in the public school system, I know firsthand the incredible impacts teachers have on our youth and believe we should support our teachers through meaningful pay, benefits, and loan forgiveness. College should be free and accessible to every resident, regardless of their income, age, or status. It is essential that we continue funding arts, music, and recreation, but also place investments in teaching our youth 21st century skills.

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
- I believe we need to rapidly transition to 100% renewable energy sources by 2050. Equally important to me is that we have a just transition to a green economy that leaves no Massachusetts resident behind. This immediate challenge is a great opportunity for our state to demonstrate that a green economy can and will be inclusive. The climate crisis is upon us. If we are to ensure a safe, sustainable planet for generations to come, we must take bold action now.

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?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- While Massachusetts has been a leader in gun violence prevention efforts, there is still much more that can be done to ensure the safety of our communities. In particular, urban communities of color are still plagued by gun violence. This is caused by myriad factors, including a lack of state investment in these communities and the weak gun violence prevention laws of other states that contribute to an illegal trafficking into Massachusetts. As State Representative, I will work to make sure our gun violence prevention efforts benefit all communities.

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?
- 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?
- Yes

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- Yes

6. Other or expanded principles
- I believe that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Health care should be affordable, accessible, and culturally competent. Debt due to medical bills should not exist. To solve the problem of health care disparities and debt, we must pass single payer health care while also making investments in all areas of society that impact health and health outcomes. This includes opportunities for lifelong learning, safe neighborhoods, humane housing, reliable transportation, arts and recreation, meaningful work and opportunities to build wealth and ahealthy environment.

Social

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

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

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

4. Other or expanded principles
- Women and LGBTQ people continue to face harassment, discrimination, and differential treatment in Massachusetts. Our state legislature can and must take steps to strengthen anti-discrimination laws and implement policies that seek to deconstruct centuries old systems of marginalization.

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.
- My top priorities are income inequality, climate change, and the influence of dark money on policymaking and elections. My legislative strategies to address these issues are a) providing a living wage to all workers above the current minimum wage, addressing workers who are left out of pending legislation, paid family leave, and single payer healthcare, b) transitioning to 100% renewable energy sources by 2050, c) passing the 28th Amendment and establishing a Citizen's Commission to ensure the will of the Massachusetts people is represented in the language of the 28th Amendment as it makes its way through the process.