Donald McFarlane

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?

"Our education system is key to our society's future. No community should fail to provide its children with an education. As a parent, as a town officer, and if elected as a state representative, I cherish the interest of a well-rounded classical education including modern scientific learnings. It is my strong belief that education should be kept local, and that parental rights should be respected, including their rights to make educational choices for their children."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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

"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks. As a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I believe that choosing to terminate a pregnancy is a profoundly personal choice, which may involve religious beliefs and medical considerations. Although my personal belief is that life begins at conception and should be protected, I also believe that it is not the province of the state to legislate all of these nuances. The existing law with the restrictions only after six months, or 24 weeks, is not an infringement on women's reproductive choice and I would not seek to change it. That said, I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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

"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks. As a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I believe that choosing to terminate a pregnancy is a profoundly personal choice, which may involve religious beliefs and medical considerations. Although my personal belief is that life begins at conception and should be protected, I also believe that it is not the province of the state to legislate all of these nuances. The existing law with the restrictions only after six months, or 24 weeks, is not an infringement on women's reproductive choice and I would not seek to change it. That said, I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?

"I do not feel that any detailed discussion in school of sexuality is necessary or appropriate for children of that age."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Do you support the state law that bans teaching certain concepts, such as the idea that people may be "inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously"?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

"New Hampshire taxpayers pay enough already. I will oppose all efforts to impose a sales, income or other broad-based tax on the citizens of this state."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?

"New Hampshire taxpayers pay enough already. I will oppose all efforts to impose a sales, income or other broad-based tax on the citizens of this state."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire add a tax credit for businesses that contribute to student loan repayment for employees?

"As we have seen (for example) at the federal level with the CARES Act, and at the state level with 2018's SB564, such approaches create an uneven playing field and often disproportionately benefit large employers, favored industries, etc. Generally speaking, I do not support these kinds of tax credits."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?

"Taxes on businesses are a tax on those businesses' consumers. A decade ago, New Hampshire had the third highest taxes on business nationally. The reductions in BET and BPT which have been achieved since then have made NH more competitive regionally, and have helped New Hampshire business rebound better than many of its neighbors. I support reducing the tax burden on businesses in the state, including small businesses."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?

"New Hampshire taxpayers pay enough already. I will oppose all efforts to impose a sales, income or other broad-based tax on the citizens of this state."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?

"Preserving the natural beauty of New Hampshire is something which I believe many if not all residents want, for themselves and for future generations. It is reasonable that the state may collaborate to protect the commons, nevertheless I have not yet seen a related project for which I would support government spending or mandate."

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?

"We require ID to drive, to fly, to open a bank account, to close a bank account, and to perform countless other daily tasks. I have personal knowledge of voter fraud, in New Jersey, and in New York. The New Hampshire attorney general has found evidence of voter fraud in New Hampshire. We have thousands of illegal aliens entering the US every day. Yes, I support that when our new neighbors first register to vote, we should ask them to show ID and demonstrate that they are in fact US citizens."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire add a fee or mileage charge for electric vehicle owners to help pay for transportation and/or electric infrastructure?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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

"It should not take two or three years to navigate a large town's approval process for a single development, and there are examples of this happening across the state. It is reasonable for landowners to expect that their zoning and planning submissions will be heard and acted upon timely."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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?

"From a resilience standpoint, I am in favor of distributed energy generation including at the residential level. Nevertheless, New Hampshire's current net metering system is structured so as to create perverse incentives which serve to negatively impact our most reliable energy producers and increase our rates. New Hampshire already has some of the most expensive electricity in the nation, and I reject this action which would further increase energy costs and negatively impact already-stressed local households."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire extend the renewable portfolio standard past 2025, requiring public utilities to obtain more than 25% of electricity from renewable energy sources?

"New Hampshire already has some of the most expensive electricity in the nation, and Eversource recently raised their supply rates by 112%. I am concerned about rising energy costs and its impact on already-stressed local households. I believe that, for example, clean nuclear power (not considered renewable) is preferable to expensive renewable sources which cannot support base load requirements and which require significant subsidy. I will seek to let the market - including consumers who choose to support renewable sources - drive an appropriate mix."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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

"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks. As a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I believe that choosing to terminate a pregnancy is a profoundly personal choice, which may involve religious beliefs and medical considerations. Although my personal belief is that life begins at conception and should be protected, I also believe that it is not the province of the state to legislate all of these nuances. The existing law with the restrictions only after six months, or 24 weeks, is not an infringement on women's reproductive choice and I would not seek to change it. That said, I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the state increase funding for child care providers?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?

"Against"

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?

"Our education system is key to our society's future. No community should fail to provide its children with an education. As a parent, as a town officer, and if elected as a state representative, I cherish the interest of a well-rounded classical education including modern scientific learnings. It is my strong belief that education should be kept local, and that parental rights should be respected, including their rights to make educational choices for their children."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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

"For"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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

"For"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

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

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?

"Against"

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should the state permanently increase how much tax revenue it shares with towns and cities every year, beyond public school funding?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?

"For"

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?

"Of course people should be free to obtain healthcare in the place of their choosing. It is my belief, supported by strong constitutional evidence, that US citizens have a right to freedom of movement within these united states. I have seen no evidence to suggest that any amendments or additions to either our New Hampshire statutes or our state constitution are warranted."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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

"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks. As a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I believe that choosing to terminate a pregnancy is a profoundly personal choice, which may involve religious beliefs and medical considerations. Although my personal belief is that life begins at conception and should be protected, I also believe that it is not the province of the state to legislate all of these nuances. The existing law with the restrictions only after six months, or 24 weeks, is not an infringement on women's reproductive choice and I would not seek to change it. That said, I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

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

"New Hampshire should require federal immigration enforcement and federal prosecutors to comply with federal law. Under existing federal law it is an imprisonable offense to employ, harbor or otherwise aid illegal aliens. I support legal immigration. Illegal immigration is a a national catastrophe."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?

"I am a staunch advocate of the natural right to self-defense, and the constitutional right to keep and bear arms."