Kate Harris
Historical Details
Position on Issues
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should New Hampshire ban abortion after 20 weeks gestation, with exceptions for cases of rape/incest and health complications?
"I believe that ending a pregnancy is a difficult and private decision that should be between a woman and her doctor. NH should continue to provide solid sex ed to maintain its relatively low teen pregnancy rate."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH pursue expanded commuter rail?
"Unless the US or NE region invests in rail, I believe that using bus transportation which uses current infrastructure is the best choice at this time. Autonomous driving cars will be here soon and until we know the impact this has on transportation options, I do not support investing in commuter rail."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH limit terms for elected officials?
"I support term limits for New Hampshire elected officials."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH increase funding for heroin treatment programs?
"NH has increased funding for drug and alcohol treatment and our DC delegation has been successful in procuring an increase in Federal funds so it is not clear to me, at this point, if further state funds are needed We should make sure that prevention is also funded. I think NH can play an important role by making sure that well intended regulations don't interfere with cost-effective delivery of recovery services - research has shown that peer recovery services have excellent outcomes and can be delivered at lower costs than by mental health professionals."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"I am undecided on this issue."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"I am undecided on this issue."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH legalize the recreational use of marijuana?
"1) The Federal government should reclassify cannabis so that research can be undertaken to clearly identify both the medical and recreational benefits and risks, particularly for youth and young adults whose brains are still developing well into their 20's. As a psychologist, I have concerns about increased use of cannabis that will likely accompany legalization because some individuals will suffer negative impact more than others and at this point, we do not have data to drive our policy. 2) For pragmatic reasons and revenue generation, with other states legalizing, regulating and taxing cannabis, I think NH should as well."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Was New Hampshire right to continue expanded Medicaid eligibility, using the traditional Medicaid system of managed care instead of private insurance?
"As a psychologist, I have seen the positive impact of Medicaid expansion. Clients who were newly insured have been able to improve their mental health functioning with treatment that they were not able to access without insurance AND they have been able to find jobs and work successfully. I do not know what the impact of contracting with managed care company will be because I do not yet have this experience. I do know that we have a serious lack of mental health professionals in NH and if the managed care companies decrease payment and increase paperwork demands, it may have the unintended consequence of further reducing providers."
Other| Read My Position
"$7.25 an hour is clearly not a living wage. As a person who grew up in a small family business, I am concerned about adding additional regulation on to businesses at this time when the job market is tight and employers are competing for workers. My preference would be to wait and see if wages start to rise in meaningful ways. Three summers ago my high school son got a very menial job at a local business and started at $10 an hour, so I am not defining a minimum wage as a priority. I know of a local business who has a self-imposed minimum of $14 an hour because he is committed to being a good employer and understands the benefits of treating employees well."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH do more to enforce federal immigration laws?
"NH should not take responsibility for nor should it hinder enforcement of federal immigration law."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should New Hampshire increase subsidies and tax credits for business investment?
"Would need to understand, which subsidies, how much, what kind of business and what would the long term impact be on expenditures and revenues as well as the benefits/ drawbacks of a particular industry. I would have loved to see Amazon choose to set up a presence in NH."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Is police brutality an issue in NH?
"I would need to do further research on this topic to have an informed opinion. My impression is that police in NH, in general, do an admirable job and we ought to be very grateful for their dedication and service."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should New Hampshire continue to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which requires utilities to purchase allowances for every ton of carbon they emit?
"I am undecided on this issue."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should New Hampshire maintain the renewable portfolio standard, which requires public utilities in New Hampshire to obtain a certain percentage of electricity from renewable energy sources (25% by 2025)?
"I am undecided on this issue."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should New Hampshire government do more to increase the supply of affordable housing?
"I am undecided on this issue."
Other| Read My Position
"I am open to the idea of paid family-medical leave insurance program because I understand that in New Hampshire, workers living in families who earn less than $60,000 and can least afford unexpected work interruptions are also the least likely to be covered by some type of extended benefit plan.
"Keeping employed people employed and contributing the economy is both kind and makes fiscal sense. My vote would depend on the details of the exact plan. The estimated long-term maintenance costs for HB 628 (which passed the house and almost the Senate last session) of over $6 million per year with an estimated staff of 43 full time state employees to administer it seem excessive to me. I'd rather see a simpler program with money going directly to those who need leave."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"I believe in universal background checks including at gun shows. There is more agreement among regular citizens on this issue than political rhetoric suggests and the influence of special interests and dark money interfere with building consensus on this issue. I believe that the political parties also contribute to the gridlock by using this issue to drive voters to the polls. Getting dark money out of politics is one step toward having the voices of citizens be heard. The current emotional debate serves to entrench people into their positions rather than encouraging conversations about how we balance values of safety and freedom. I recognize that the NH Constitution (see 1981 amendment below) clearly protects the right to keep and bear arms. Article 2-a. Amendment to Article 2 [Natural Rights] All persons have the right to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves, their families, their property and the state. December 1, 1982"
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should New Hampshire allocate tax revenues for private and home schooling costs?
"An excellent public education is one of the most important investments in our future and a fundamental responsibility of government. I believe that there are creative ways that we might be able to increase school choice within the public school system but funding for private education or homeschooling should NEVER reduce the budget for public school education. I believe that we should fully fund all day kindergarten (and consider the possibility of funding pre-k in some circumstances) because research shows that spending money on early childhood education has positive impact on learning success and is cost effective in the long run."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH impose strict residency requirements on registering to vote?
"We should encourage voting and make it as easy as possible. Whether college students should be expected to vote in their home states or allowed to vote where they attend college is worth debating. Political parties should be more concerned with how compelling their policies are and less concerned about where college students vote."
