Molly C. Howard
Running for: NH House Hillsborough County District 31
Completed our 2024 State Candidate Survey
Position on Issues
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
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 think it's scandalous. That most of the families who receive it had already left the public system indicates that they felt they could afford it without public subsidies. Public funds should not underwrite activities of those wealthy enough to afford them on their own. I also think that using public funds to pay for parochial education is a breach of our founding principle of separation of church and state. And aside from the use of public dollars, I think a mass exodus from public schools will contribute to the divisions we are experiencing in our society. Public schools are the bedrock of our communities."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"First, the government does not belong in a discussion between a woman and her doctor. This invasion of privacy is a precursor to the degeneration of women's rights in general. Second, late term abortions occur almost exclusively for the health of the mother or when the fetus is not viable. The exceptions to this are so minute that they are statistically nonexistent. The idea that it is common for women to change their minds late in a pregnancy is cynical and misogynist. The law is unnecessary, dangerous and undermines women's rights."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"First, the government does not belong in a discussion between a woman and her doctor. This invasion of privacy is a precursor to the degeneration of women's rights in general. Second, late term abortions occur almost exclusively for the health of the mother or when the fetus is not viable. The exceptions to this are so minute that they are statistically nonexistent. The idea that it is common for women to change their minds late in a pregnancy is cynical and misogynist. The law is unnecessary, dangerous and undermines women's rights."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"That won't fly in New Hampshire. I don't know enough about the topic to make a cogent argument for it in a state accustomed to doing without it. I'd look for revenue streams that are more acceptable to the workers of New Hampshire."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"I think Sununu is leaving New Hampshire in financial tatters. Our revenue sources have been cut to the bone while he surfed along on federal dollars, especially funds from the Biden Inflation Reduction Act and the American Rescue Plan. I don't know if a sales tax is the answer, but we need to relieve the heavy property tax burden on Granite Staters."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"Besides being an important source of revenue for the state, business taxes (or more accurately, the desire not to pay them) inspire owners and CEOs to invest more in their businesses (and hopefully workers). Investing what would otherwise be profits back into the business and workers in order to minimize paying taxes on them keeps money in circulation instead of in the pockets of executives or the coffers of government. If reinvesting isn't a company's philosophy, then I think contributing to the functions of government is better than enriching a few guys at the top."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?
"I sort of understand workers wanting to hold onto their hard earned money, but income earned solely through investments is generally for those privileged enough to have plenty. It's an important source of revenue for the state and seems relatively painless for those who actually meet the high threshold required to owe capital gains tax. I would make an exception for gains on the sale of a primary residence. Home ownership is the first step in building wealth, so I would treat it differently from other holdings."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"That we are last among the New England states in investing in alternative energy is embarrassing. We can do so much more."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
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?
"New Hampshire is the hardest state in which to vote. I don't think ID's are necessary in general, but I think the requirement is comforting to those among us who are suspicious of the voting process, so, if we need to show our ID, then that same responsibility should fall on those who register at the polls. The affidavit/proof deadline requirements provide parity with other voters."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"Encourage is the right word. Providing incentives such as assistance with infrastructure improvements and tax breaks for affordable units could help developers make improvements that affect communities in observable ways. The state needs to develop plans for increasing housing development in both urban and rural settings, which require entirely different approaches and scales. New Hampshire's economy is hog-tied by the housing shortage, so I think it's the perfect issue for bipartisan work."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Do you support legislation to expand the net energy metering system capacity cap from 1 MW to 5 MW for all residential and commercial customers in New Hampshire?
"This might provide incentives to close the gap I mention in the question above."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"First, the government does not belong in a discussion between a woman and her doctor. This invasion of privacy is a precursor to the degeneration of women's rights in general. Second, late term abortions occur almost exclusively for the health of the mother or when the fetus is not viable. The exceptions to this are so minute that they are statistically nonexistent. The idea that it is common for women to change their minds late in a pregnancy is cynical and misogynist. The law is unnecessary, dangerous and undermines women's rights."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state increase funding for child care providers?
"Nobody deserves decent pay more than the people who care for our children. Parents are the only ones who should be caring for kids solely out of love. Child care is an important profession and should pay like one."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Do you support New Hampshire’s current system of public school funding, with about two-thirds of total funding coming from local property taxes?
"I am for the funding structure as laid out in the New Hampshire Constitution. The current distribution of funds maintains an unfair advantage for towns with higher property values. There has been a slick avoidance of the constitutional (and court validated) method for funding an adequate education for all New Hampshire students that has left many towns unable to afford things like retaining first responders or maintenance on public property."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?
"Marijuana is still a federally illegal substance. We can learn how to get around this from states who have legalized it as a private enterprise, but I don't think the state should break federal law. In fact, I think trying to do it at the state level will stop it from happening at all."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"Marijuana is still a federally illegal substance. We can learn how to get around this from states who have legalized it as a private enterprise, but I don't think the state should break federal law. In fact, I think trying to do it at the state level will stop it from happening at all."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"Marijuana is still a federally illegal substance. We can learn how to get around this from states who have legalized it as a private enterprise, but I don't think the state should break federal law. In fact, I think trying to do it at the state level will stop it from happening at all."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"While I understand that some business sectors would have to make major adjustments in how they do business, our minimum wage is insultingly low. Post-pandemic worker shortages and the resulting correction in wages, even in traditionally low-paying jobs, illustrates how businesses are able to adjust. Paying a fair wage should be a part of every business plan. I wouldn't mind considering a lower tier for teen workers who are just starting and require more than just basic job training."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire add legal protections for residents of other states who travel here for health care related to abortion or gender transition?
"I don't know what this question means. How would we know they need legal protection? Protection against what? Aren't they subject to our laws when they are within our borders?"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"First, the government does not belong in a discussion between a woman and her doctor. This invasion of privacy is a precursor to the degeneration of women's rights in general. Second, late term abortions occur almost exclusively for the health of the mother or when the fetus is not viable. The exceptions to this are so minute that they are statistically nonexistent. The idea that it is common for women to change their minds late in a pregnancy is cynical and misogynist. The law is unnecessary, dangerous and undermines women's rights."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?
"The militarization of police, especially with a mandate (and thus permission) to single out people who seem to have originated in other countries and are profiled by their skin color or other ethnic traits, increases the risk of abuse of power and of violence based on biases. Is illegal immigration a big problem here? Let's not borrow trouble, nor should we further burden our police officers."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"Truthfully, for purely selfish reasons, I'd start with not allowing guns in Rep's Hall in the State House. They scare me. Seriously, though, I can hear the clock ticking down the time until we have a mass shooting in one of our schools. I'd support banning semi automatic guns. Licensure and locked storage requirements are good ideas. Background checks, check. I'm not against gun ownership. I just wish we adhered to the part of the second amendment that requires a well regulated militia. Those folks kept their guns in an armory."
