Claudia Y. Istel

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support the “Education Freedom Account” program, which gives students access to the per-pupil share of state school funding to spend on private school or home school expenses?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

"For decades taking the pledge against an income or sales tax has been viewed as supporting the NH way. An income tax is not popular, but neither is passing on expenses to the municipalities which then have to raise property taxes."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?

"A sales tax is a regressive tax. Low wage workers will pay a larger percentage of their income on a sales tax than more affluent earners will. Any tax adds a layer of administration that will eat into the revenues."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?

"Decreasing business taxes doesn't always improve the state's economy. The state currently relies heavily on business taxes for a large portion of its revenue. The big question is always how to provide a balance between the strain of local property taxes and the need for state revenue sources."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?

"Again, any tax is viewed with skepticism. This is a tax on unearned income and could allow small investors to be exempt from taxes on some portion of their capital gains income."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support giving voters who register without ID on Election Day a ballot that only counts if they return identifying documents to the state before a deadline?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Do you support legislation to expand the net energy metering system capacity cap from 1 MW to 5 MW for all residential and commercial customers in New Hampshire?

When asked a similar question on the 2020 Citizens Count survey Istel wrote, "NH is behind all the New England states in solar panel installations. Encouraging home owners to be more energy efficient, reducing their greenhouse gas emissions is to everyone's benefit. Net energy metering encourages investment in solar power."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the state increase funding for child care providers?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Do you support New Hampshire’s current system of public school funding, with about two-thirds of total funding coming from local property taxes?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?

"NH relies on the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr. which has not been raised in nine years and is barely a poverty wage for a full-time worker. Our neighboring states have minimum wages over $3/hr. more than NH. Full-time workers should not have to rely on public assistance to make ends meet."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire add legal protections for residents of other states who travel here for health care related to abortion or gender transition?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020

Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?

"The goal is gun violence prevention. Universal background checks, waiting periods, and gun safety training can help with this. Hunting is a part of the NH culture, and there are people who feel that a gun is important for their safety."