Matthew D. Towne
Historical Details
Position on Issues
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
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?
"I am vehemently against this unconstitutional law. Three times the court has ruled that education is a STATE responsibility and anyone reading Part II article 83 of the NH Constitution will know that educational monies cannot be given to religious organizations. The EFA bill was resisted by a 6:1 margin in the House committee. It was then buried inside the budget bill where it never got a hearing. This is blatantly anti-democratic."
Against| 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 oppose a ban on abortion after 20 weeks gestation, even with exceptions for cases of rape/incest and health complications."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH pursue expanded commuter rail?
"I support expanded 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."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH increase funding for heroin treatment programs?
"I support increased funding for heroin treatment programs."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"What a woman does with her body is her decision and her decision alone. The state has no legitimate role in that process."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"What a woman does with her body is her decision and her decision alone. The state has no legitimate role in that process."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?
"The rate of suicide among the young who are unable to be who they truly are is very high. Just because this subject makes some people uncomfortable, it is no reason not to have these discussions."
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"?
"If we do not teach what happened, we are doomed to repeat it. Germany teaches ALL of its students what happened during the holocaust. We need to do the same with unpleasant subjects of our history."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"Taxes on income over $350,000 seems reasonable to me. Obviously, the level can flex depending on circumstances. The adage applies. To those much is given, much is expected."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"Our tax scheme is antiquated and dysfunctional. Sole reliance on property taxes for education funding is destroying the very thing it was meant to support. Taxes must be levied on corporations who must pick up their share of the community burden of educating the young. They must also pay their share of resources such as fire, police and infrastructure. I am against taking the infamous 'pledge' since no fiscally sound approach should take any option off the table."
For| 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?
"I am for this to a point. The business should not shift the entire burden to the public since that defeats the purpose of having business pay for the tuition."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"I do not feel they pay their share now. I speak as a former business owner and always felt that my business should have to contribute more to the general societal upkeep. Since I was not required to pay taxes on my business income at the level I thought was appropriate, my wife and I contributed to charities of our choice."
For| Read My Position
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.
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"We should have our state fleet move towards low or no carbon fuel consumption. We started this but Governor Sununu refused progress on this front. The RGGI funding should be applied to winterizing low income homes and not for a publicity gimmick that states rate reduction when it is only 19 cents on the average bill."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
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?
"For"
For| 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?
"It is part of the general infrastructure we need. I also believe that we need to tax carbon producers so that they are incentivized in moving to electric."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"Zoning is the best tool for communicating the town citizen's wishes on what they want to see happen in their town. Business will seek to make money at every opportunity and that is their job. OUR job is to protect our vision of our town."
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?
"As an owner of a 10Kw system, my electric bill is usually about $13. We are FAR behind our neighbors who are happy to sell their cheap electricity at a large mark up."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"What a woman does with her body is her decision and her decision alone. The state has no legitimate role in that process."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?
"EVERYTHING possible should be done to make voting easier."
Against| Read My Position
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?
"The current method punishes property poor towns like Barrington and Strafford. It does not acknowledge that property rich towns that have heavy industry, a deep-water port or a large lake can easily adjust their tax rates."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH legalize the recreational use of marijuana?
"I support marijuana legalization."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?
"NH citizens who wish to partake of marijuana simply drive to a neighboring state. Our moralistic stance is self-defeating and out of touch with our current reality."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"NH citizens who wish to partake of marijuana simply drive to a neighboring state. Our moralistic stance is self-defeating and out of touch with our current reality."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"NH citizens who wish to partake of marijuana simply drive to a neighboring state. Our moralistic stance is self-defeating and out of touch with our current reality."
For| 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?
"I support expanded Medicaid eligibility, using the traditional Medicaid system of managed care instead of private insurance."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"Absolutely. Recent estimates have indicated that upwards of $55 TRILLION has been transferred to the upper income levels from the middle- and lower-income citizens. This is not sustainable. A look back at history would show that societies become unstable when the gap grows too large. I also favor that this be permanently tied to the rate of increase for other governmental programs such as social security, so we never have this huge divergence in income levels."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH do more to enforce federal immigration laws?
"This question is too simply worded to give a coherent answer to. Do I support legal immigration? Of course. Do I support the DREAMERS? Yes I do. Do I support putting kids in cages? NO I do not. Please rework this question so that a meaningful answer can be given."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should New Hampshire increase subsidies and tax credits for business investment?
"I am undecided on this issue."
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2019
Voted for HB 686, a bill that would increased per-pupil school funding by extending the interest and dividends tax to capital gains. HB 686 would also have increased the exemptions and filing thresholds for the interest and dividends tax, and lowered the state property tax rate.
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. The inherent volatility of trying to guess what the state is going to do leads towns to become conservative in their approaches to town funding requests. This is an inappropriate way to treat the towns and does not lead to good planning decisions."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?
"Against"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Is police brutality an issue in NH?
"State government should take action to reduce police brutality in New Hampshire, for example by requiring body cameras or limiting the ability of police to acquire military equipment."
For| 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?
"The fact that greenhouse gas has also historically been acid rain which destroys our timber and forests. I strongly support the RGGI as it carries on the same kind of work which helps protect our environment. I do not believe that businesses have an inherent right to add to atmospheric pollution to earn a profit. The technology is there to prevent it and they must use it."
For| 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 support the renewable portfolio standard in New Hampshire."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"What a woman does with her body is her decision and her decision alone. The state has no legitimate role in that process."
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2020
Voted for HB 1649, which would establish a road usage fee ranging from $10 to $125, based on a vehicle's miles per gallon, as part of annual car registration.
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should New Hampshire government do more to increase the supply of affordable housing?
"The reality is that young families cannot afford the current market price for housing. This is NOT an issue of ambition, choices or work ethic. It IS an issue for them in terms of what is available here in NH. The fact is that this, in part, is the reason the average age in NH is increasing. Young people are going where they can live and have a life. I hear from NH employers that they cannot find workers (education plays a part here) and are considering expanding elsewhere."
For| Read My Position
"Yes, I support paid family medical leave insurance program. Life is hard enough for all of us at one time or another. To spend time with a loved one who is passing on should not cost a person their job nor their home."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH continue to administer statewide standards-based student assessments?
"I am undecided on this issue."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"Red flag laws, 7 day waiting periods, 100% background checks. mandatory training and licensure."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should New Hampshire allocate tax revenues for private and home schooling costs?
"I oppose allocating tax revenues for private and/or home schooling costs."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2018
Should NH impose strict residency requirements on registering to vote?
"Voting in the USA is already harder than it should be. Barrington already has a VERY low voter turnout. So mostly the ones that vote are the older retired population and while that is good to hear their views, there are also others in our town who should be heard. If you are working 12 hour shifts then voting during 7 to 7 is hard to impossible. Oregon has a good model and has been successfully done with mail in ballots for a decade or so. If we want the young to settle here and view NH as home, we need to treat them as the adults they are and not be afraid of the views they might hold."
These objective, nonpartisan measures are used to show this legislator's activities at the Statehouse from the 2018 election through the end of the legislative session in 2020. 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. "Prime sponsored bills that became law" include bill texts that were incorporated into "omnibus" bills following the coronavirus emergency.
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
HB 481 (2019)
Legalizes and taxes marijuana for adults over age twenty-one. A Cannabis Control Commission, similar to the Liquor Commission, would be responsible for licensing and enforcement. The bill also allows limited home-growing of marijuana for personal use.
HB 685 (2019)
Prohibits balance billing for ambulance services. The bill also limits reimbursement for ambulance services to a "commercially reasonable value." The Senate amended the bill to instead require insurance plans which cover maternity benefits to provide coverage for emergency or elective abortion services (similar to SB 486).
HB 1648 (2020)
Permits adults to possess up to 3/4 of an ounce of cannabis, 5 grams of hashish, and other cannabis-infused products, and permits adults to grow up to 6 cannabis plants at home in a secure location that is not visible from other properties. This bill also allows adults to give marijuana products away and sell marijuana accessories.
HB 1672 (2020)
Allows any voter to vote by absentee ballot, whether or not he or she will actually be absent on election day. The Senate amended the bill to become the "Coronavirus Election Protection Act of 2020." The amended bill allows any voter to vote by absentee ballot, allows town officials to start processing ballots before Election Day, and authorizes online voter registration.
HB 687 (2019)
Establishes "extreme risk protection orders," based on evidence that there is "a significant risk of causing bodily injury to himself or herself or others," which would require the subject of the order to surrender any firearms to law enforcement.
HB 1577 (2020)
Allows an individual to obtain a new birth certificate based on a change of gender identity, as certified by a licensed health care provider. Parental permission is required if a minor seeks a birth certificate change. At the time of this bill's submission, a court order is required to change a birth certificate. This bill also allows a gender identity of nonbinary on a birth certificate.
HB 1280 (2020)
Caps how much health insurers can charge consumers for insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply. The Senate amended the bill to instead cap the payment at $30 for a 30-day supply.
HB 1166 (2020)
Establishes a committee to study the demographics of the uninsured population in New Hampshire, the barriers to obtaining healthcare coverage, and possible solutions to extend health insurance coverage. The Senate completely amended the bill to add various requirements and protections for employers and employees related to the coronavirus. For example, the amended bill allows employees to collect unemployment if they cannot go to work because they or a family member is sick with COVID-19 - even if Gov. Sununu ends the state of emergency.
HB 1247 (2020)
Requires landlords to provide at least 90 days notice before a rent increase over 5%. The House amended the bill to require 60 days notice for an increase over 5% and 90 days notice for an increase over 8%. The Senate amended the bill to instead remove the requirement of an eviction notice before public welfare departments provide rental assistance. The amended bill also "creates a duty of good faith and fair dealing for mortgage lenders." Lastly, the amended bill requires landlords to offer tenants a 6-month repayment plan for rent missed during the coronavirus emergency.
HB 1664 (2020)
Requires the Department of Environmental Services to establish a climate action plan, an office of the environmental advocate, and an oversight commission on environmental services. The House amended the bill to instead establish greenhouse gas emission reduction goals for the state. Those goals are a 20% reduction in statewide emissions by 2025, 50% by 2035, and 80% by 2050 (all compared to 1990 emissions). The amended bill also gives the Department of Environmental Services the authority to develop and update regularly a climate action plan.
HB 1645 (2020)
Extends the waiting period to annul a misdemeanor domestic violence offense, from 3 to 10 years. The Senate amended the bill to incorporate several other pieces of legislation.
HB 1454 (2020)
Gives local school boards the power to determine whether to grant academic credit for alternative extended learning and work-based programs. At the time of this bill's submission, that power lies with the state board of education. The Senate amended the bill to still require the state board of education to vet and approve alternative extended learning and work-based programs, which local school boards "may" accept for credit (similar to a different bill, SB 514).
HB 1264 (2020)
Extends the Commission on the Seacoast Cancer Investigation from 2020 to 2022. The Senate amended the legislation to incorporate several bills related to PFAS. In particular, the amended bill establishes maximum contaminant levels for perflourinated compounds (PFCs), as originally written in SB 287.
HB 712 (2019)
Establishes a social insurance program that would be operated by New Hampshire Employment Security to provide for paid family and medical leave insurance. Employers would pay 0.5% of wages per employee as premium payments. Employees could take up to twelve weeks of leave and receive 60% of their pay after paying into the program for at least six months. As introduced, this bill does not include an opt-out option.
HB 731 (2019)
Gradually raises the state minimum wage, starting at $12 per hour in 2020 and ending at $15 per hour in 2024. The bill also raises the tipped minimum wage, although in 2024 it would still be 45% of the regular minimum wage. The bill requires cost of living adjustments every year. This bill also allows cities and towns to set a higher minimum wage. Lastly, this bill establishes a "training wage," no lower than $8.50, for employees under age eighteen for the first three months of employment.
HB 514 (2019)
Establishes a seven day waiting period for the delivery of a firearm. There are some exceptions for rifle or shotgun purchases by hunters, law enforcement officers, and members of the armed forces. The Senate amended the bill, shortening the waiting period to three days.
HB 706 (2019)
Establishes a fifteen member independent redistricting commission, appointed by the secretary of state after a public application process that includes input from legislative leaders. The Senate amended the bill, generally giving the Secretary of State less say in the process.
SB 1 (2019)
Establishes a paid family and medical leave insurance program, which would be run by the state department of employment security. Employers would pay 0.5% of wages per employee as premium payments. Employees could take up to twelve weeks of leave and receive 60% of their pay after paying into the program for at least six months. The bill does not allow anyone to opt-out of the program.
HB 2 (2019)
2020-2021 state budget bill (part 2).
HB 1 (2019)
2020-2021 state budget bill.
HB 564 (2019)
Makes it a misdemeanor to carry a firearm in a safe school zone. ˙There are some exceptions, for example if a person gets permission from the school board. The House amended the bill so that parents do not need to remove or unload firearms in their cars when picking up students. The amendment also specifically bans firearms on "school property" rather than in "school zones." School property includes buildings, grounds, school buses, and vans.
SB 290 (2019)
Modifies the work and community engagement requirements for the Granite Advantage Health Care Program, commonly known as expanded Medicaid. For example, this bill extends the work requirement exemption for parents so that parents of children under age 13 are eligible for the exemption. This bill also gives the Department of Health and Human Services the authority to waive the work requirement until July 2021 if there is an inability to communicate with program participants.
HB 109 (2019)
Requires commercial sales and transfers of firearms to take place through licensed dealers. Those dealers are required to perform background checks. Also requires private sales or transfers to go through a licensed firearm dealer, if it’s not absolutely clear that both the owner and the recipient are allowed to own guns.
HB 365 (2019)
Increases the electric generating capacity of customer generators who may participate in net energy metering, generally from 1 megawatt to 5 megawatts.
HB 446 (2019)
Allows an individual to obtain a new birth certificate based on a change of gender identity, as certified by a licensed health care provider. At the time of this bill's submission, a court order is required to change a birth certificate. This bill also allows a gender identity of nonbinary on a birth certificate. The Senate amended the bill, for example to require the permission of a parent or guardian if a minor seeks a birth certificate change.
SB 10 (2019)
Increases the minimum wage to $10 per hour in 2020, then to $11 in 2022, except starting that year, employers would have to pay at least $12 per hour if they do not offer at least 10 paid sick days to employees. The House and Senate amended the bill to raise the minimum wage to $10 per hour in 2020 and $12 per hour in 2022, regardless of sick time.
HB 455 (2019)
Changes the penalty for any offense eligible for the death penalty to life imprisonment without parole.
HB 105 (2019)
Generally repeals the voter registration changes passed in SB 3. For example, this bill removes the stricter requirements for voters who register within 30 days of an election. This bill also removes much of the new language on voter registration forms about domicile. This bill also removes the authority of the secretary of state to conduct post-election voter registration investigations, leaving that to the attorney general.
HB 558 (2019)
Prohibits food service businesses from providing a single-use plastic straw to a customer unless specifically requested.
