Michelle Zaino

Seacoast Online Voter Guide, 2018

"The state of N.H. needs to provide greater access to treatment. I have sat next to and listened to many families in our state that are effected by this crisis. I have cried listening to families that have children, fathers, mothers and other family members that are effected by this poison. Whether they started with marijuana, cocaine, heroin, prescription pain medication, or self-medicating an undiagnosed mental illness, this crisis is spreading and it is not going away. N.H. is ranked number one in fentanyl deaths per capita. The bottom line is that it is easier to get high in N.H. than it is to get treatment. This crisis affects all of us and it has devastated families and communities all over our great state. We have focused our efforts on the criminal justice system, but we must expand our efforts to address this crisis as the medical issue that it is. The research exists to show how this disease affects the thinking in our brains. Our friends and neighbors are suffering. We must provide greater access to treatment in our communities to ensure it is readily accessible for those struggling with addiction and withdrawal. Enforcement is necessary to punish those that distribute this poison, but alone this is woefully insufficient. We must also provide people with access to treatment. I encourage and implore our elected officials to design legislation that assists in providing greater access to treatment in our communities and, if elected as your Hampton state representative, I will do my best to tackle this epidemic with tenacity."

Seacoast Online Voter Guide, 2018

"Keeping our property taxes low and keeping N.H. income tax-free are critical to welcoming young professionals and families."

Seacoast Online Voter Guide, 2018

"After speaking with fellow neighbors, and hearing the concerns that they have, currently this is not something that I could support. I know from watching my husband in his 12 year role as drug prosecutor for the state of N.H. and for both Rockingham County and Hillsborough County, that most people addicted to drugs were first introduced to marijuana to escape from reality, which then led them to experiment further. As I hear other concerned parents talk, I find myself in their shoes. As a mother of 2 young boys, seeing the drug epidemic in full force surrounding them, it seems ironic that on one hand we are working so hard to prevent drug addiction yet on the other we are entertaining the notion of making drug use common place. I think the steps we have taken to decriminalize and allow for medicinal purposes have provided reasonable alternatives to lawful recreational use."

Seacoast Online Voter Guide, 2018

"N.H. is already at the current default federal level of $7.25 an hour. Historically, the minimum wage was not designed to be a living wage, it was designed to ensure an equal starting point. It is most important to enable businesses to evaluate skill and expertise to find the right fit for their needs. Of all the Hampton businesses I have spoken to about this issue, not one hires employees at minimum wage. There is also always an orientation and training time period that affords both employee and employer equal time to evaluate employment and then renegotiate pay. Employers must be allowed to make their payroll decisions based on hiring needs and profitability. Not all businesses can be treated the same, nor should all employees earn the same wage, as pay should depend on experience and skill level. I support the concept of a starting minimum wage, however it is important to give employers the freedom to establish a wage that meets the needs of their industry."

Seacoast Online Voter Guide, 2018

"Although not an entitlement, I am absolutely in favor of this discussion. This is a complex issue that has many variables. I would need to research and read the legislation carefully regarding this decision. Words matter, and how this is worded, supported, organized and financed is critical to its success."

Seacoast Online Voter Guide, 2018

"New Hampshire gun laws have proven to be sufficient based upon N.H.'s extremely low level of violent crime committed with a firearm. The laws hold criminals accountable for their actions, including prohibiting convicted felons from possessing firearms, making it a separate criminal offense to commit a felony while in possession of a firearm, and NH prohibits possession of firearms in domestic violence related cases. As a result, I do not see a need to alter the current structure of New Hampshire's gun laws, these laws are consistent with our individual rights to keep and bear arms under both the U.S. and N.H. constitutions."

Other, 2018

"Zaino is passionate in her support for legislation to establish a school voucher system, having home-schooled one child to provide an adequate attention her family believed was not being provided in public school."