James Powers
Historical Details
Position on Issues
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH abolish partisan primaries and adopt the "Top 2" primary system?
Opposes adopting a top 2 primary system
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH allow binding referendums?
Opposes amending NH constitution to permit citizens to vote on statewide issues in a referendum: "Again, look at the California example."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
Supports state income tax and/or general sales tax. "Any new general tax should involve elimination of some present taxes, e.g. if an income tax were to become law, the tax on interest and dividends, and business income should be repealed."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
Supports state income tax and/or general sales tax. "Any new general tax should involve elimination of some present taxes, e.g. if an income tax were to become law, the tax on interest and dividends, and business income should be repealed."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH authorize one or more casinos?
Opposes expansion of gambling
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH pass a constitutional amendment giving the Legislature more control over the distribution of school funding?
Opposes adopting a constitutional amendment that reduces the role of the courts in the school funding challenge
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH decriminalize small amounts of marijuana?
Supports decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana for adults
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should LLCs be subject to the interest and dividends tax?
Opposes LLC tax
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH increase the interest and dividends tax?
Opposes increase in I&D tax
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH increase tolls and/or add new toll booths?
Supports adding tolls on I-93 (Mass. Border)
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH continue to allow medicinal marijuana?
Supports legalizing medicinal marijuana
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH do more to enforce federal immigration laws?
Supports leaving immigration laws to federal government
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH keep the death penalty?
Supports repealing the death penalty "The death penalty is not a deterrent, and convictions are not always right. Life without parole is worse than death."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH continue to use property taxes instead of a new broad-based tax, such as an income tax?
Supports state income tax and/or general sales tax. "Any new general tax should involve elimination of some present taxes, e.g. if an income tax were to become law, the tax on interest and dividends, and business income should be repealed."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH repeal same-sex marriage?
Opposes repealing the gay marriage law. "I believe in freedom and equality, including freedom to marry whomever you wish. Marriage does not have to be a religious event."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH require car insurance for some or all drivers?
Supports mandatory car insurance
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH require motorcycle helmets?
Supports mandatory helmet law for motorcycle riders: "All NH citizens end up paying for head injuries due to collisions."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH require seat belts?
Supports mandatory seat belt law for adults: "Seat belts save lives. It's that simple."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH revise the meals and rooms tax?
Opposes local meals and rooms tax
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH government switch from a pension system to a 401(k)-style retirement plan?
Supports reforming retirement benefits for municipal and state employees
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010
Should NH restrict further wind power development?
Opposes restricting windmills and windfarms for power generation based on amount of subsidies and aesthetics. Supports restrictions based on environmental impact. "All sources of energy should include a cost/benefit analysis including environmental impact."
Voting Record
HB 1560 (2012)
Establishes the interstate Health Care Compact, which provides that each member state shall have the authority to enact state laws that trump all federal laws regarding health care within its state.
HB 1676 (2012)
Establishes a pilot program to provide public financing for eligible candidates for state senator.
HCR 42 (2012)
Expresses support for preserving the Electoral College.
HB 1659 (2012)
"Women's Right to Know Act," mandating that women considering an abortion receive "complete and accurate information on abortion and its alternatives."
HB 1660 (2012)
Prohibits abortions beyond 20 weeks gestation.
HB 1679 (2012)
Prohibits partial birth abortions and abortions in the third trimester.
HB 1264 (2012)
Establishes a religious exemption for individuals who do not wish to provide accommodations, goods, or services for same-sex marriages.
HB 1383 (2012)
States that only United States citizens may receive in-state tuition at the University of New Hampshire.
HB 1492 (2012)
Requires public employers to verify an employee's eligibility to work in the United States.
HB 1526 (2012)
Decriminalizes possession of 1/2 ounce or less of marijuana, with additional penalties for violators under age twenty-one.
HB 1705 (2012)
Legalizes and taxes marijuana for adults over age twenty-one.
SB 409 (2012)
Allows medicinal marijuana through home growing.
HB 1482 (2012)
Limits the exemption from property taxation granted to charitable nonprofit hospitals only to the main campus of the hospital.
HB 1650 (2012)
Exempts foodstuffs grown or produced and then sold in New Hampshire from federal regulation.
SB 295 (2012)
Increases the Research and Development tax credit.
HB 1595 (2012)
Limits primary elections to voters who have registered as party members.
HB 1405 (2012)
Allows local governments to establish moratoriums on refugee resettlement.
SB 286 (2012)
Establishes a prescription drug monitoring program funded entirely through "grants, gifts, or user contributions."
HB 1654 (2012)
Authorizes earned time credits for inmates participating in rehabilitative programming.
HB 1667 (2012)
Raises the threshold between juvenile and adult offenders from seventeen to eighteen years-old.
HB 1666 (2012)
Requires legislative approval of any collective bargaining agreement entered into by the state.
HB 592 (2012)
Redistricts the House of Representatives.
HB 1487 (2012)
Requires legislative approval for the expenditure of funds involving New Hampshire in any low carbon fuel standards program, such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
HB 1677 (2012)
Right-to-Work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
SB 372 (2012)
Establishes a tax credit for businesses that contribute to a scholarship fund for students who wish to attend private, parochial, or home schools.
SB 289 (2012)
Requires voters to present identification at polling places.
HB 1658 (2012)
Limits financial assistance for mothers who have additional children while receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The House and Senate amended the bill to instead establish an income and identity verification system for public assistance recipients.
HB 1413 (2012)
Directs New Hampshire to withdraw from the No Child Left Behind federal education program.
HB 330 (2011)
Repeals the requirement to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm.
HB 648 (2012)
Forbids the use of eminent domain for regional electricity projects when costs and benefits cannot be shared across the ISO - New England network.
HB 1511 (2012)
Removes the prohibition on convicted felons possessing certain weapons for self-defense.
HB 218 (2011)
Repeals the New Hampshire Rail Transit Auhority (NHRTA).
SB 57 (2011)
Makes various revisions to title loan regulations.
HB 474 (2011)
Right-to-Work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
HB 569 (2011)
Establishes "domestic unions" as an alternative to marriage.
HB 370 (2011)
Reverses the expanded definition of bullying in the Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention Act.
HB 340 (2011)
Exempts parents from the education property tax if their children are not enrolled in public school.
HB 176 (2011)
Changes the definition of "domicile" for voting purposes so that out-of-state students can not claim domicile in New Hampshire.
SB 1 (2011)
Eliminates "evergreen clauses" in public contracts.
HB 109 (2011)
Prohibits local planning boards from requiring sprinklers as a condition for a local permit.
HB 133 (2011)
Ties the New Hampshire minimum wage to the federal minimum wage.
SB 27 (2011)
Raises the speed limit in some areas of Lake Winnipesaukee.
SB 52 (2011)
Repeals early release programs for inmates convicted of violent crimes.
HB 519 (2011)
Repeals the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), New Hampshire's cap-and-trade program.
SB 3 (2011)
Makes various changes to the state retirement system, such as raising retirement ages and increasing member contributions.
HB 113 (2011)
Prohibits the use of state funds for New Hampshire Public Television (NHPTV).
HCR 23 (2011)
Urges congressional earmarks for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
SB 88 (2011)
Expands the use of deadly force, adding "Stand Your Ground" to the "Castle Doctrine." Under this bill victims could use deadly force without retreating, anywhere the victim has the right to be.
HB 329 (2011)
Requires parental notification prior to a minor's abortion.
HR 9 (2011)
Resolution expressing support for earmarks for law enforcement.
HB 631 (2011)
Repeals the requirement that school districts offer public kindergarten.
