Eric S. Turer
Serving as: NH House Rockingham County District 06
These objective, nonpartisan measures are used to show this legislator's activities at the Statehouse in 2023 and 2024. The measures are not intended to present a ranking or rating of any kind. Average is that of all state elected officials in this chamber. Gov. Sununu is still in the process of signing and vetoing 2024 bills, so the number of prime sponsored bills that became law may increase.
Session days attended
Party unity score/partisanship
Participated in official roll call votes
Bills sponsored (as prime sponsor)
Prime sponsored bills that became law
Voting Record
CACR 23 (2024)
Constitutional amendment creating a right to abortion, including a ban on any restrictions on abortion prior to 24 weeks.
HB 10 (2023)
Establishes a parental bill of rights. Some of the parental rights in this bill include:
"The right to direct the education and care of his or her minor child"
"The right to be physically present at any health care facility ... at which their minor child is receiving hospital care"
"The right to consent in writing before a biometric scan of his or her minor child is made, shared, or stored"
HB 106 (2023)
Establishes a procedure for issuing "extreme risk protection orders" to protect against persons who pose an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. An extreme risk protection order would restrict a person's access to firearms, and is also known as a "red flag law."
HB 1145 (2024)
Prohibits new solid waste landfill permits in the state for facilities owned by any person other than the state of New Hampshire or a political subdivision thereof.
HB 1205 (2024)
Prohibits anyone with the reproductive biology and genetics of a male at birth from participating on school sports teams designated for females. As introduced, this bill covered K-12 schools as well as the university and community college system. The House amended the bill so that it only applies to middle and high schools.
HB 1248 (2024)
Changes the state limit on abortion after 24 weeks gestation to 15 days gestation.
HB 1283 (2024)
Establishes a procedure for an individual with terminal illness to receive medical assistance in dying through the self administration of medication (sometimes called physician-assisted suicide). The bill establishes criteria for the prescription of such medication and establishes reporting requirements and penalties for misuse or noncompliance.
HB 1291 (2024)
Increases the number of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) allowed by right from one to two. This bill also increases the maximum square footage from 750 square feet to 1,000 square feet (and 850 square feet for a second unit). The bill then sets other regulations municipalities can and cannot require for ADUs. For example, the bill states that municipalities may require a property to have at least one half acre to have more than one ADU.
HB 1322 (2024)
Gradually increases the minimum wage to $17 per hour by 2029. This bill then allows future increases best on the Northeast Consumer Price Index. This bill also increases the tipped minimum wage from 45% to 50% of the regular minimum wage.
HB 1377 (2024)
Right-to-work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
HB 1400 (2024)
Prohibits zoning and planning regulations that set maximum residential parking spaces above one parking space per unit.
HB 1419 (2024)
Prohibits K-12 schools from making "any material that is harmful to minors" available to students. The bill defines this material to include various content related to sex. This bill also requires school boards to adopt complaint resolution policies to address complaints regarding harmful material by parents or guardians.
HB 1633 (2024)
Legalizes and regulates recreational marijuana sales to adults over age twenty-one. As amended by the House, this bill would allow the state to license fifteen cannabis retail outlets. There would be a 10% tax on monthly total gross revenue derived from the sale of cannabis and cannabis products. Smoking in public and consuming marijuana while driving would be illegal. Towns could limit marijuana businesses.
HB 1649 (2024)
Restricts the use of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products. For example, this bill bans the sale of cosmetics, food packing, carpets, and more products with added PFAS starting July 1, 2028. The House changed that date to January 1, 2027.
The Senate amended the bill to also state that settlement funds from PFAS lawsuits will be deposited in the drinking water and groundwater trust fund and used to fund public water systems impacted by PFAS.
HB 1656 (2024)
Greatly increases the per-pupil state education funding for each student receiving special education services. The House amended the bill to establish three weighted categories for special education differentiated aid, with more funding going to students who need more services.
HB 1665 (2024)
Raises the annual household income limit to qualify for the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program, from 350% to 500% of the federal poverty level (from about $100,000 to about $150,000 for a family of four).
The Senate rewrote the bill. The Senate version of the bill raises eligibility to just 400% of the federal poverty level, and extends the timeline for phase-out grants for public schools when students leave to use EFA program funds, from 2026 to 2029. These changes are similar to SB 442, a bill killed in the House.
HB 1711 (2024)
Establishes a system to report to the firearm background check system if a person is found not guilty by reason of insanity, not competent to stand trial, or involuntarily committed to a mental health facility. This bill also allows the court to order a person to surrender their firearms in these circumstances. This bill also establishes a process for a person to have their record removed from the background check system after six months, if they are no longer a danger to themselves or others.
HB 2 (2023)
State budget bill (part 2). The governor presented his proposal for the next state budget February 14. The House and Senate both made changes to that proposal. Click here to read a summary of the 2023 budget process.
HB 208 (2023)
Establishes greenhouse gas emission reduction goals for the state, to net zero by 2050. This bill also requires the Department of Environmental Services to develop a climate action plan by July 1, 2024, that includes evaluation of best available information, considers inclusion of strategies, programs and compliance mechanisms with measurable goals and targets, considers opportunities to encourage investment in low/moderate income, rural and minority communities, makes recommendations on retraining and apprenticeship opportunities, and coordinates with other state agencies.
HB 224 (2023)
Repeals the civil and criminal penalties for health care providers who violate the state's ban on abortion after 24 weeks.
HB 367 (2023)
Increases the maximum household income limit for participation in the Education Freedom Account program, from 300% to 500% of the federal poverty guidelines. The Education Freedom Account program allows families to spend the state's per-pupil share of education funding on private or home school expenses.
The House amended the bill to only increase the income limit to 350% of the federal poverty guidelines.
HB 470 (2023)
Exempts some drug checking equipment from the definition of drug paraphernalia, and allows the use of drug checking equipment, such as fentanyl test strips, for harm reduction.
HB 523 (2023)
Increases the maximum electric generating capacity to participate in net energy metering, from one to five megawatts. This bill also modifies the transition of tariffs applicable to some customer-generators.
HB 557 (2023)
Removes the authority of the Department of Health and Human Services to require vaccinations beyond those in state law. This bill specifically notes that the requirements for chickenpox, Hepatitis B, and Hib vaccinations will expire in 2026.
HB 567 (2023)
Requires at least 30 days written notice for a rent increase. Large, multi-unit rental owners must provide at least 60 days notice. If the rent increase is over 15%, large multi-unit landlords must provide at least 6 months notice.
HB 57 (2023)
Gradually raises the minimum wage to $15 per hour over the next three years, with future adjustments based on the consumer price index. This bill also raises the tipped minimum wage from 45% to 50% of the regular minimum wage. Lastly, this bill allows a minimum wage of $8 per hour for youth under age 18 for the first six months of employment.
HB 59 (2023)
Requires commercial sales and transfers of firearms to take place through licensed dealers. Those dealers are required to perform background checks.
HB 619 (2023)
Prohibits gender transition care for minors under age 18. This bill also prohibits teaching about gender identity in public schools (with an exception for high school psychology courses), requires schools to use the name and gender that students are enrolled as, prohibits students from participating on sports teams that do not correspond to their biological sex at birth, and requires students to use the bathroom that corresponds with their biological sex at birth.
HB 624 (2023)
Requires state and local law enforcement to notify the public before an immigration checkpoint.
HB 639 (2023)
Legalizes marijuana for adults over age twenty-one. The bill allows limited home-growing of marijuana. A new Cannabis Commission would oversee licensing and regulations related to the manufacture, testing, and sale of legal marijuana. Cannabis sales would be taxed under the Meals and Rooms tax system. Alternative Treatment Centers, which currently serve the state's medical marijuana patients, would be allowed to apply for a "dual use certificate" that allows them to participate in recreational marijuana business. Towns could limit marijuana businesses.
SB 263 (2023)
Permanently reauthorizes the New Hampshire Granite Advantage Health Care Program, commonly known as expanded Medicaid. Previous law ended the program on December 31, 2023. This bill also reestablishes and revises the commission to evaluate the New Hampshire Granite Advantage Health Care Program, commonly known as expanded Medicaid.
SB 272 (2023)
Establishes a parental bill of rights in education. Some of the parental rights in this bill include:
"The right to access and review all medical records of a child maintained by a school or school personnel"
"The right to inquire of the school or school personnel and to be truthfully and completely informed if the child is being identified or referred to by school district staff, as being of a gender other than that of which the child was identified or referred when enrolled"
Completed our 2022 State Candidate Survey
Position on Issues
Against| Read My Position
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?
"This is a terrible policy that undermines the premise of public education and the unity of the community to continually improve our school system. It diverts public funds to private and religious schools with little oversight or accountability. Most of the recipients to date were already in private/home school settings before the program was enacted, demonstrating that it is not providing greater 'educational freedom' as implied. Vouchers lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure in public education systems, as those with the means use public resources as a supplement to support their private decision, and leave the schools with the fixed costs and little ability to adjust staffing in a predictable way. This option was inserted into the budget, rather than being passed by legislators, and has opened the existing education system to costs that have already greatly exceeded the programs' budget. Proposals to expand the family income caps and other eligibility limits, further deepen the problem and further remove any pretense of providing needed options that are not otherwise possible. "
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"Any decisions that a woman and her family makes in this area are deeply personal and difficult. They should be made by the woman her health care providers, and those she wishes to involve - not by the state. Nothing is gained by state intervention in these private family matters. I am firmly Pro Choice, from both a practical and philosophical perspective. Under the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, a woman's/family's right to make private medical decisions has been abandoned and opened to state legislatures, with disastrous consequences. It has never been more important to have representative in Concord that will honor the rights of privacy and personal choice that women have held for decades. I was honored to present two bills (CACRs) to enshrine reproductive choice in our state constitution and I will continue to fight for this as a right in NH, as it has been federally for the past 50 years. With respect to the 24 week threshold - this is a ban on something that is literally not done in our state. This law only exists to open the door to further restrictions by allowing the legislature to lower the threshold in increments - which has been attempted repeatedly with severe restrictions proposed each year. Serving on the Judiciary Committee, I was able to speak directly against such bills and help prevent their passage, but that is small comfort in an ever-changing legislature. More could be said here, but I will also add that this is more than an abstract argument to me. My wife is an Ob/Gyn physician who has cared for women in our community for decades, and she has seen the many permutations of these difficult decisions play out in real, not theoretical, terms. "
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"Any decisions that a woman and her family makes in this area are deeply personal and difficult. They should be made by the woman her health care providers, and those she wishes to involve - not by the state. Nothing is gained by state intervention in these private family matters. I am firmly Pro Choice, from both a practical and philosophical perspective. Under the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, a woman's/family's right to make private medical decisions has been abandoned and opened to state legislatures, with disastrous consequences. It has never been more important to have representative in Concord that will honor the rights of privacy and personal choice that women have held for decades. I was honored to present two bills (CACRs) to enshrine reproductive choice in our state constitution and I will continue to fight for this as a right in NH, as it has been federally for the past 50 years. With respect to the 24 week threshold - this is a ban on something that is literally not done in our state. This law only exists to open the door to further restrictions by allowing the legislature to lower the threshold in increments - which has been attempted repeatedly with severe restrictions proposed each year. Serving on the Judiciary Committee, I was able to speak directly against such bills and help prevent their passage, but that is small comfort in an ever-changing legislature. More could be said here, but I will also add that this is more than an abstract argument to me. My wife is an Ob/Gyn physician who has cared for women in our community for decades, and she has seen the many permutations of these difficult decisions play out in real, not theoretical, terms. "
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?
"NO - I trust our educators to balance the needs of young students in addressing these topics, as they always have in instances when any questions of sexuality arise from children trying to understand the often complex world of adults around them. Bans like this serve no purpose other than to leave these children with no resources and likely greater fears and questions as they sense the inability of trusted adults to engage with them."
Against| Read My Position
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"?
"NO - This is among the worst pieces of legislation passed pertaining to state education. It diminishes the quality of education at the minimum, and - in reality - places an arbitrary threat over educators, forcing them to avoid some of the most important topics students should learn about. It is likely unconstitutional and has created a 'bounty system' for any parent that wishes to assert their preferences over the established curricula to call out individual teachers for scrutiny. It will erode our teaching workforce just as we are facing a crisis in teacher availability."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"I do not support an income tax, but I also do not support our current property tax system that forces the elderly, others on low and/or fixed income, or those that live in rapidly changing communities, to leave their homes due to rising taxes. Tax relief should be targeted at those that need it. I would support expanding and re-targeting of tax relief programs such as the means-based protections on statewide property taxes for those at the lower-end and middle of the income scale, as well as similar programs such as those in place for veterans, the elderly, and the disabled. The basic structure for this is already in place in NH law, but it is crude, narrowly defined, and doesn't provide meaningful assistance at current levels or support to towns to offset the cost. Expanding these types of options could provide key protections to those at risk of being forced from their homes for no fault of their own, without an income tax."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"Sales taxes are highly regressive, as those with the lowest income spend all of what they earn and would be effectively taxed on every dollar. They are also difficult to administer logistically, placing an additional burden on small and retail businesses."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire add a tax credit for businesses that contribute to student loan repayment for employees?
"DEPENDS - The burden of student loan debt is a large and growing problem that threatens to hamper the ability of our most capable young citizens to reach their full potential. Several industries are suffering from lack of workers, while our state loses talented graduates to other areas of the country unnecessarily. Education loan repayment programs have proven successful in attracting talented graduates into needed industries and communities in need, while providing a vehicle for students to access higher education. A business tax relief financed approach seems well suited to the situation in some industries. I have worked with the National Health Service Corps and Nurse Corps programs as part of my professional work for nearly 3 decades, both here in NH and across the country, These programs succeeds by targeting the aid to those individuals, professions, and communities where assistance is needed. A similar approach should be taken here. The recent proposal to target such assistance to a single industry - human organ manufacturing (SB 564) seems based on scant evidence of targeted need in a potentially highly profitable field, however I remain open to learning more on this."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"There are two taxes on business in NH, the Business Profits Tax and the Business Enterprise Tax. Most small and in-state businesses do not pay the Business Profits Tax, so recent cuts to this tax simply allow large out of state corporations, which will do business here regardless, to take these needed funds out of our state with no benefit to keeping jobs in NH. The Business Enterprise tax is more relevant as it is paid on the total scope of each NH businesses. The tax rate is less than 1% on businesses over $281K in value, which is a reasonable contribution level, and provides a vehicle for state cuts to support business in the event of future downturns."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"Reducing and mitigating carbon emissions is critically important. The impacts of inaction are becoming increasingly evident and time for effective action is running out. The technology to reduce reliance on carbon-based energy sources is becoming increasingly accessible and affordable, while technology to increase efficiency, such as electric vehicles and geothermal heating, are seeing a similar trend. I have personally moved to both of these technologies and have seen nothing but positive results, particularly when energy prices spiked. Both transitions were made more practical through government incentives, which lower the transition cost and make these technologies more attractive until widely adopted. Regional solutions, such as RGGI, are also important as they assure that no one area is bearing the burden while others continue outmoded practices. Carbon offsets are an effective approach to limiting our climate. Two recent reports have shown that RGGI has also protected children's health through reduced particulate emissions, while helping the environment and lowering family energy costs."
For| Read My Position
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?
"Providing a process for a newly registering voter to cast a valid ballot on election day, even if they don’t bring the needed documentation, is important to assure that their effort to participate in the process is not thwarted by a technicality. Failing to obtain or bring proper documentation can happen for a variety of reasons. As long as eligibility is ultimately verified, and the confidentiality of the voter’s ballot is assured throughout the process, this option assures that the will of the voter is recorded. Efforts to restrict such options are a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist in our voting system."
Other| Read My Position
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?
"DEPENDS - I support the phasing in of road usage fees in the future. Our transportation system is in the midst of a major revolution as electric vehicles become practical and desirable as alternatives to internal combustion engines. I currently drive an all-electric vehicle and love it for many reasons including cost, capability, and environmental impact. The trend towards electric cars will undoubtedly continue, and that should be supported in every way. There were tax credits to purchase the vehicle and incentives from my electric company to install the charger. That said, I am aware that I am not contributing to the upkeep of our roads through the gas tax, which is untenable in the long term. In the short term the lack of gas taxes is yet another incentive to move towards electric vehicles and is justifiable on that basis. Going forward, I would support a 'road usage' fee, but not as an in-state tax on electric vehicles which is insensitive to the level of actual use. Instead I feel an expansion of our toll system, which impacts all vehicles, including out-of-state drivers and trucks that damage the roads, would be best. It is tied directly to use, and the EZ-pass system avoids cost and delays. It can also allow for individual vehicle tax exemptions as incentives that are limited by time and value."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"Affordable housing is a huge challenge for our state. Housing prices in our region are very high and rental availability is very limited. This makes it difficult to attract and retain our retail and service workforce, and for young residents to live in our communities. This is unsustainable. There are a range of effective strategies to incentivize increased affordable housing and avoid gentrification. That said, our community has recently seen the unintended impacts of changes to zoning and building ordinances that threaten the rural character of our town while failing to produce more affordable options. Encouraging municipalities to adopt changes that promote the development of affordable housing is different than imposing statewide changes that override town planning and zoning boards and remove local control. "
For| Read My Position
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?
"YES - The move to renewable energy sources will help our state in the long run, and this is also increasingly practical and important today - both in terms of environment and cost. Incentivizing the rapid adoption of locally sourced and renewable energy sources is in our best interest. The speed and methods for implementing such incentives should be set based on the practical predictions of technological advancement. As with the net metering expansion question, standards for inclusion of increasing levels of renewable energy in the generation mix has been a positive on many levels for the state. A 2018 review of the Renewable Portfolio Standard noted that, 'RPS has increased use of renewable fuels and the development of renewable technologies, and has provided both economic and environmental benefits.' We must continue and accelerate that progress to protect environment and protect our energy supply from the foreign influences of fossil fuel markets that are causing current spikes in cost."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"Any decisions that a woman and her family makes in this area are deeply personal and difficult. They should be made by the woman her health care providers, and those she wishes to involve - not by the state. Nothing is gained by state intervention in these private family matters. I am firmly Pro Choice, from both a practical and philosophical perspective. Under the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, a woman's/family's right to make private medical decisions has been abandoned and opened to state legislatures, with disastrous consequences. It has never been more important to have representative in Concord that will honor the rights of privacy and personal choice that women have held for decades. I was honored to present two bills (CACRs) to enshrine reproductive choice in our state constitution and I will continue to fight for this as a right in NH, as it has been federally for the past 50 years. With respect to the 24 week threshold - this is a ban on something that is literally not done in our state. This law only exists to open the door to further restrictions by allowing the legislature to lower the threshold in increments - which has been attempted repeatedly with severe restrictions proposed each year. Serving on the Judiciary Committee, I was able to speak directly against such bills and help prevent their passage, but that is small comfort in an ever-changing legislature. More could be said here, but I will also add that this is more than an abstract argument to me. My wife is an Ob/Gyn physician who has cared for women in our community for decades, and she has seen the many permutations of these difficult decisions play out in real, not theoretical, terms. "
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?
"YES - The rules passed to allow COVID to be a valid reason for not voting in person was a positive and necessary step at the time. In general, this option should be available to anyone that wishes to vote remotely instead of in-person on election day. This could expand participation and assure that last minute issues do no thwart any person's ability to vote. The system is secure and valid."
Against| Read My Position
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?
"The flaws in the current education funding system are more than fully documented, and have been the subject of multiple state Supreme Court cases which have refuted the system as not just flawed, but unconstitutional. Another pair of NH Supreme Court decisions on a case filed in 2022 further found that the state has failed to address the underlying problems. Our town pays a much higher tax rate for our schools as a direct result of this flawed formula. The non-partisan NH School Funding Fairness Project has done a great deal to outline the issues and potential solutions, but fundamentally it requires a greater ability for the state to address the inequalities that result from a local property-tax based system by providing a true 'adequate education' base for all students. "
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?
"I believe that citizens should be able to grow, purchase, and possess marijuana with appropriate age and product controls, but I am opposed to policies that lead to organizations that have an interest in actively promoting initiation or increased use of THC products. The only difference between the marijuana industry and big tobacco is the federal ban on moving the proceeds though the banking system. This federal law will likely be repealed in the near future, which could open the door to a new profit-driven public health crisis. I believe sales and distribution should be accomplished through strategies that use the connection with consumers to educate them on the risks, hold use to a minimum, and target revenues first to the associated costs to the state. Marijuana sales should not be viewed as a new general-revenue stream, as this undermines the government's role in oversight and control of the product. The state has not lived up to its role in similar areas, where funds collected through alcohol, tobacco, and legal gambling are not used to address the known and predictable consequences of these 'products', ignore the related costs of these products to our state, and use the funds derived to mask expenses rightfully borne more broadly. "
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"I believe that citizens should be able to grow, purchase, and possess marijuana with appropriate age and product controls, but I am opposed to policies that lead to organizations that have an interest in actively promoting initiation or increased use of THC products. The only difference between the marijuana industry and big tobacco is the federal ban on moving the proceeds though the banking system. This federal law will likely be repealed in the near future, which could open the door to a new profit-driven public health crisis. I believe sales and distribution should be accomplished through strategies that use the connection with consumers to educate them on the risks, hold use to a minimum, and target revenues first to the associated costs to the state. Marijuana sales should not be viewed as a new general-revenue stream, as this undermines the government's role in oversight and control of the product. The state has not lived up to its role in similar areas, where funds collected through alcohol, tobacco, and legal gambling are not used to address the known and predictable consequences of these 'products', ignore the related costs of these products to our state, and use the funds derived to mask expenses rightfully borne more broadly. "
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"I believe that citizens should be able to grow, purchase, and possess marijuana with appropriate age and product controls, but I am opposed to policies that lead to organizations that have an interest in actively promoting initiation or increased use of THC products. The only difference between the marijuana industry and big tobacco is the federal ban on moving the proceeds though the banking system. This federal law will likely be repealed in the near future, which could open the door to a new profit-driven public health crisis. I believe sales and distribution should be accomplished through strategies that use the connection with consumers to educate them on the risks, hold use to a minimum, and target revenues first to the associated costs to the state. Marijuana sales should not be viewed as a new general-revenue stream, as this undermines the government's role in oversight and control of the product. The state has not lived up to its role in similar areas, where funds collected through alcohol, tobacco, and legal gambling are not used to address the known and predictable consequences of these 'products', ignore the related costs of these products to our state, and use the funds derived to mask expenses rightfully borne more broadly. "
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"NH has no state minimum wage - relying on the federal minimum only, placing it among the states with the lowest minimum wages in the country. We are one of the 'wealthier' states overall, and NH has a relatively high cost of living compared to other parts of the country. Recent price increases in some key sectors has only further reduced the value of our fixed minimum wage with no means to adjust it to match. Wages are rising but not at a pace to match costs. Other states in New England have minimum wages more than 50% higher than ours. Establishing a phased in increase to the minimum wage in the state is needed, and can be accomplished without impacting the job market."
For| Read My Position
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?
"YES - Decreases in revenue sharing from the state to the towns has been a key reason for rising local property taxes over the past decade or more. When the state reduces revenue sharing to towns, the towns have few options but to raise property taxes or dramatically cut services. The state has many options by which it can generate revenue to offset the burden borne by local taxpayers. The revenue sharing should not be left to the whims of each legislature, leaving towns unable to plan ahead. The commitment should be made by the state and funded as needed, as had been the case for municipal retirement plans in the past, for example."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?
"NO - We are living in a time of historic wealth disparity in which earnings from hard work is taxed (federally) at a much higher rate than income from invested wealth, which far exceeds other income for some. There is no reason to repeal or reduce the tax on interest and dividends at this time, however I do feel that the excluded income threshold ($2400 per individual) is likely too low. At this level, the tax may be burdening those that are living on this income alone (in spite of an additional elderly exemption), and causing unnecessary filings for those with typical investments."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"Any decisions that a woman and her family makes in this area are deeply personal and difficult. They should be made by the woman her health care providers, and those she wishes to involve - not by the state. Nothing is gained by state intervention in these private family matters. I am firmly Pro Choice, from both a practical and philosophical perspective. Under the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, a woman's/family's right to make private medical decisions has been abandoned and opened to state legislatures, with disastrous consequences. It has never been more important to have representative in Concord that will honor the rights of privacy and personal choice that women have held for decades. I was honored to present two bills (CACRs) to enshrine reproductive choice in our state constitution and I will continue to fight for this as a right in NH, as it has been federally for the past 50 years. With respect to the 24 week threshold - this is a ban on something that is literally not done in our state. This law only exists to open the door to further restrictions by allowing the legislature to lower the threshold in increments - which has been attempted repeatedly with severe restrictions proposed each year. Serving on the Judiciary Committee, I was able to speak directly against such bills and help prevent their passage, but that is small comfort in an ever-changing legislature. More could be said here, but I will also add that this is more than an abstract argument to me. My wife is an Ob/Gyn physician who has cared for women in our community for decades, and she has seen the many permutations of these difficult decisions play out in real, not theoretical, terms. "
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"I do support a range of reasonable changes to our gun control laws to address the disproportionate issues with gun violence in our society compare to others. We will not solve all issues with gun violence, but we can do much better without impinging on anyone's rights. I believe the second amendment does provide for the individual right to own firearms, and as a practical matter that will always be the case as well. The second amendment does, however, start with the phrase, 'A well regulated militia...' so I don't feel it precludes sensible regulations, which should not interfere with a responsible individual's gun ownership, but which would prevent issues stemming from those that should not have had access to a weapon, or the availability of weapons that have no place in civil society. I view it similarly to how cars and driving are regulated in terms of registration and licensing, but also to include universal background checks. Even the first amendment has limits. Classically, you can't shout 'Fire' in a crowded theater.... because it would endanger public safety, and the same is true for this right. I further believe - as affirmed by the Supreme Court in the Heller ruling - that the second amendment is '-not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever.' In particular, I would like to assure that our police and military are always the best armed members of our society, and that there is a clear line between what is civilian vs not. Our communities have seen firearm tragedies directly, including the loss of a good man, officer, and father of my son's friend, which I believe everyone should want to find ways to prevent. I have been disappointed to see the adoption of laws weakening firearm regulations in our state, including the repeal of the concealed carry permit and the adoption of 'stand your ground' legislation eliminating the requirement to diffuse potentially deadly conflicts. None of these is a responsible reaction to the rising issue of gun violence. I do support 'Red Flag' laws, which allow the removal of weapons from individuals at risk of violence or self harm, and also the ability for individuals to voluntarily place themselves on the 'no sell' list if they know that they have the potential for such actions due to mental health conditions. "
