Karen E. Ebel
Running for: NH House Merrimack County District 07
Declined to complete our 2024 State Candidate Survey
Position on Issues
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
In 2022 Rep. Ebel voted to consider repealing the Education Freedom Account program (HB 1683) In 2024 Rep. Ebel voted against several bills to expand eligibility for Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs), including HB 1561, HB 1634, HB 1665, and HB 1677. Ebel also voted for HB 1512, which would limit the EFA program to a budget.
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Voting Record, 2023
Voted against HB 591, a bill that would prohibit a doctor from performing an abortion after detecting a fetal heartbeat.
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
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Voting Record, 2019
Voted in favor of HB 686, a bill that would extend the interest and dividends tax to capital gains and increase the exemptions and filing thresholds for the interest and dividends tax. HB 686 would have used the new capital gains tax revenue to increase per-pupil school funding and lower the state property tax rate.
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Voting Record, 2023
Voted for HB 208, a bill to establish greenhouse gas emission reduction goals for the state, to net zero by 2050. The bill also required the Department of Environmental Services to develop a climate action plan.
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Voting Record, 2022
Voted against creating a conditional "affidavit ballot" for voters registering on Election Day without ID (SB 418)
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Voting Record, 2024
In 2024 Rep. Ebel voted against a few bills that would ease zoning requirements. For example, Ebel voted against HB 1291 (which would increase rights of property owners to build accessory dwelling units), HB 1399 (which would make it easier to convert single family residence into two units), and HB 1400 (which would limit parking requirements, plus add tax credits for office conversions).
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Voting Record, 2024
Voted to increase the maximum electric generating capacity to participate in net energy metering, from one to five megawatts (HB 523)
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Voting Record, 2024
Voted for a constitutional right to abortion before 24 weeks (CACR 23).
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Voting Record, 2024
Voted to consider starting a Child Care Workforce Fund to recruit and retain New Hampshire child care employees (HB 1611)
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support New Hampshire’s current system of public school funding, with about two-thirds of total funding coming from local property taxes?
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Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?
When asked about marijuana legalization in general on the 2016 Citizens Count issue survey, Ebel wrote, "I do not support legalization. State law specifies the conditions for which medical marijuana may be used. We should continue to discuss whether additional conditions should be authorized for use."
Ebel also voted against HB 1648, a 2020 bill that would permit adults to possess up to 3/4 of an ounce of cannabis, 5 grams of hashish, and other cannabis-infused products, and permit adults to grow up to 6 cannabis plants at home in a secure location that is not visible from other properties. The bill also allowed adults to give marijuana products away and sell marijuana accessories.
Other| Read My Position
Other, 2024
When asked about marijuana legalization in general on the 2016 Citizens Count issue survey, Ebel wrote, "I do not support legalization. State law specifies the conditions for which medical marijuana may be used. We should continue to discuss whether additional conditions should be authorized for use."
Ebel also voted against legalizing and taxing marijuana sales in 2019 (HB 481), 2017 (HB 656) and 2016 (HB 1694).
However, in 2023 Ebel voted to legalize private marijuana sales with a 12.5% excise tax (HB 639). In 2024 Ebel voted to legalize marijuana with licensed outlets and a 10% tax on monthly total gross revenue (HB 1633).
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2022
Voted against a bill to legalize marijuana with the Liquor Commission regulating sales (HB 1598)
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Concord Monitor Candidate Profile, 2016
"N.H.'s minimum wage tracks the federal minimum wage. I support reestablishing our minimum wage at a level higher than that set by the federal government ($7.25). The discussion continues on how high it should be and who should be covered. Evidence indicates that putting more money in the pockets of our citizens will help our economy. Increasing the minimum wage would start to alleviate the tremendous day-to-day money-related stresses faced by too many underpaid working people in our state, helping them to live healthier, happier lives."
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Voting Record, 2024
Voted for HB 368, a bill that would provide various legal protections for persons receiving gender-related health care. For example, HB 368 would prohibit New Hampshire from enforcing an order from another state to remove a child from a home based on a parent allowing their child to receive gender-affirming health care.
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Voting Record, 2023
Ebel voted against HB 625, a 2021 bill to prohibit abortion after 24 weeks gestation, unless there is a medical emergency. The bill did not include exceptions for rape or incest. In 2023 Ebel also voted to repeal the "fetal life protection act", which restricts access to abortion after 24 weeks (HB 271).
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?
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Concord Monitor Candidate Profile, 2016
"I support requiring common sense background checks through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for purchasers of guns online and at gun shows. However, NICS is only as good as its data. Like the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), I believe that states, like N.H., must do a far better job providing pertinent records to NICS. For instance, the NSSF ranks N.H. 49th per capita nationally in the number of mental health adjudication and involuntary commitment records submitted to NICS."
