Nancy Bishop
Historical Details
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?
"The Education Freedom Account Program as legislation did not have the votes to become law. To avoid the need of having to have the votes, legislators tacked the program on as an amendment to the state budget which was passed. The focus I feel was the Budget and the Education Freedom Accounts an after thought and got passed along with the budget. I feel this was a bit underhanded and was a move by the minority to enact their will. I believe the majority of Granite Staters want a strong public school system to educate their children for successful lives. The issues with the EFAs are many: It was initially promoted as a program/alternative for low income families, who did not think their children were getting an adequate education. And yet, in the first year of the program, 80% of the students enrolled in an EFA had previously been going to a private school, religious school or homeschooled by their parents. And those parents were funding the private education of their children. The 2nd issue I have with the program is that to qualify, parents could only make 300% of the poverty level. This income had to be verified but only in the first year, For all the other subsequent years their child may be enrolled in an EFA, no income verification is required. 3) The initial projected estimate for the first year was $129,000. The actual cost was $8.1M first year; $14.7M second year; $22.1M third year 4) There is no educational criteria, requirements, or standards which the child needs to fulfill to earn a diploma. 5) I believe in the separation of church and state. I do not feel that taxpayer funds should be going to religious schools. 6)To date the program has cost the state $60 million dollars. The system is unsustainable. I do not feel that we should be draining the Educational Trust Fund to be subsidizing a few students, I am a strong proponent of strong, quality public schools that are adequately funded by the state and pays well for quality teachers who creatively and diligently provide for the educational needs of our children. Their profession is an awesome responsibility and I feel that public school teachers are dedicated professionals who are qualified to meet the needs of the majority of our children. There are students with Special Needs and those students should be provided with a quality education as well. With additional aides and staff, Special Needs Students frequently are well educated within special classrooms. For those students with such unique needs that private education is necessary, I feel there should be a process for them. It would be the exception rather than the rule and decided on a case by case situation. All children deserve an adequate education."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"Abortion care is healthcare. Abortion is safe and 93% of abortions happen in the first trimester. There are sometimes unavoidable medical situations that arise that necessitate a woman to have an abortion after 24 weeks. The cases are in the minority but if a woman finds herself needing that medical care, I think it should be available to her. I believe a woman and her MD should make the decisions about her medical care and the government has no place in it. I believe abortion is a healthcare right that should not be denied to women."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"Abortion care is healthcare. Abortion is safe and 93% of abortions happen in the first trimester. There are sometimes unavoidable medical situations that arise that necessitate a woman to have an abortion after 24 weeks. The cases are in the minority but if a woman finds herself needing that medical care, I think it should be available to her. I believe a woman and her MD should make the decisions about her medical care and the government has no place in it. I believe abortion is a healthcare right that should not be denied to women."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?
"I think the assumption is that some one is going to coerce a child to be gay or trans. I doubt that there is much discussion of sexual orientation or gender identy in grades K-3 but for the child who is dealing with such issues, it is important that they feel free to express themselves and be accepted. Children are probably more confortable with these issues than adults but I don't think the adults biases should get in the way."
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"?
"I believe that true and honest history should be taught in our schools. I believe that there is such a thing as systemic racism and people can have unconscious biases. We needn't feel guilty about it but we need to be aware of it."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"Against"
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 think the money the students save by the loan repayment program will go back into the local communities which is good for business."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"Wealthy corporations should pay their fair share of taxes. They use our infrastructure and benefit from an educated workforce because of our quality public educational system. I do not believe in down shifting taxes to working families. When high income, multi national corporations do not pay their fair share of taxes, taxes become a burden for hard working NH families. Business taxes were lowered in 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020. I believe they've had enough tax breaks."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?
"On profits of $1 million or more,"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"Climate change is real. Our storms are more intense, flooding more frequent, and severe storm warnings commonplace. We are experiencing a 'new normal' when it comes to climate which affects our tourism industry, a direct economic factor for our state. We should become less reliant on fossil fuels, give tax credits for developing wind and solar energy, full reimbursement for net metering, enforce regulations on carbon emissions. The issue is so critical and immediate I think the state should convene a Working Commission of Scientists and Other Professionals to come up with a long-range plan of action to mitigate climate change. Hopefully the business community will be forward thinking and address the potential business/economic consequences of climate change and develop creative solutions."
For| 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?
"There is little to nil voter fraud in NH. We have very safe elections and we have been using affidavit ballots for a while now. It is a process that works. I feel we should make access to the ballot box as easy as possible and if the voter does not provide the necessary documentation to the SOS, their ballot becomes void. To eliminate the Affidavit Ballot suppresses a citizen's opportunity to participate in Democracy."
Undecided| 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?
"I understand the need to fund infrastructure but at the same time I would want to encourage people to but electric vehicles to help the environment. Would like to hear more discussion, the pros and cons, on the subject. Need to be more informed to make a decision."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"I feel it depends what those changes would be. I believe we have to remove barriers so affordable housing, which is so desperately needed, can be built but I think the changes will probably vary from community to community. I think the studies, ideas, and proposals should continue at the state level until we can come to a consensus as to what would be best for each region."
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?
"We need to do what we can to address climate change. Net metering is one factor that would have a positive effect on accessing clean energy. I think we should take advantage of this opportunity. We should make expectations of the utility companies to address climate change issues."
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?
"I think climate change is real and a threat to our state be it in increased flooding or the destruction of our climate that is a big factor in our tourism industry. I think developing the renewable energy industry in the state would provide good paying jobs and wean us off of fossil fuels"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"Abortion care is healthcare. Abortion is safe and 93% of abortions happen in the first trimester. There are sometimes unavoidable medical situations that arise that necessitate a woman to have an abortion after 24 weeks. The cases are in the minority but if a woman finds herself needing that medical care, I think it should be available to her. I believe a woman and her MD should make the decisions about her medical care and the government has no place in it. I believe abortion is a healthcare right that should not be denied to women."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state increase funding for child care providers?
"By all metrics children who are enrolled in good preschool programs excel in academic, social and emotional learning. This is a great foundation for future success. As such, Child Care Providers provide a significant service to the well being of our children. I feel they should be adequately compensated. They are shaping the futures of these students which will benefit society."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?
"Some people have mobility issues, transportation issues, work obligations, child care issues, religious issues, etc and mail-in ballots would guarentee that every citizen gets to vote."
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?
"The NH Constitution states that the state is responsible for funding an adequate education for all the children in the state of NH. There have been lawsuits as to what exactly constitutes an adequate education. In one of the latest court findings the judge said he conservatively estimated what the agreed upon criteria was. He came up with a figure of $7356 per child per year. Some experts feel the figure should be closer to $10,000 per child per year. The state of NH had funded $4100/child/year (the lowest in the country) and in this past session increased the amount to $4400/child/year. I find this unacceptable. It is mandated by the State Constitution to fund an adequate education and I believe it is the duty of the legislature to uphold the Constitution. I feel it's the legislature's obligation to fund what is decried by the court to fulfill their obligation. After the Financial Crisis of 2009 NH cut back drastically on Educational funding at the state level and it has never recovered. For far too long public school funding has been downshifted to the community level making property taxes so costly that some citizens fear that if the trend continues they will not be able to afford to stay in their homes. Again, this is unacceptable. The state needs to increase its funding for our students' education. This can be done if, instead of steadily cutting business taxes, we make wealthy, frequently headquartered out-of-state corporations pay their fair share of taxes."
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?
"The legalization of marijuana is an opportunity benefit from the revenue NH residents are spending in the surrounding states. I also believe that it is an opportunity to create good jobs for NH entrepreneurs. It is a specialty occupation that would require regulation. I do not believe it's in the economy's best interest to have cannabis stores to be state-run. The state will get their fair share of revenue from the taxes. "
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?
"The legalization of marijuana is an opportunity benefit from the revenue NH residents are spending in the surrounding states. I also believe that it is an opportunity to create good jobs for NH entrepreneurs. It is a specialty occupation that would require regulation. I do not believe it's in the economy's best interest to have cannabis stores to be state-run. The state will get their fair share of revenue from the taxes. "
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"The legalization of marijuana is an opportunity benefit from the revenue NH residents are spending in the surrounding states. I also believe that it is an opportunity to create good jobs for NH entrepreneurs. It is a specialty occupation that would require regulation. I do not believe it's in the economy's best interest to have cannabis stores to be state-run. The state will get their fair share of revenue from the taxes. "
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"All work has value and people should be respected and fairly compensated for their work/contributions. In my younger years I worked in daycare centers, and as a home health aide and knew first hand the struggle of working for minimum wage. The wealth gap between management/executives and workers has widened for decades now. Decades of corporations shipping good paying jobs overseas has hollowed out the middle class Real Estate prices have sky rocketed. People need a living wage just to afford housing, utilities, food, healthcare and other essentials. It is estimated that to afford to rent a two bedroom apartment in NH an employee would need to make $34/hour. This is unattainable for some but raising the minimum wage to a livable wage would be a start. Increased wages at the bottom of the economy improves the economy because those funds are readily spent back into the community."
For| Read My Position
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?
"I believe there should be more local revenue sharing, especially for public school funding."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?
"For"
For| 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?
"When a state feels they have the power to follow its citizens to other states and impose their will, that is not freedom. That is living in a police state which should have no place in the US. People should have agency over their own lives. Gender transition and abortion are personal decisions that should be left up to the individual."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"Abortion care is healthcare. Abortion is safe and 93% of abortions happen in the first trimester. There are sometimes unavoidable medical situations that arise that necessitate a woman to have an abortion after 24 weeks. The cases are in the minority but if a woman finds herself needing that medical care, I think it should be available to her. I believe a woman and her MD should make the decisions about her medical care and the government has no place in it. I believe abortion is a healthcare right that should not be denied to women."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?
"Federal Immigration issue enforcement should be handled by the Federal Authorities. They are aware of and trained specifically for handling immigration issues. I feel the enforcement should be left to those specifically trained to interact with the immigrant population and are aware of the laws pertaining to them."
For| Read My Position
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"I believe we should have gun safety regulations. Here in NH, guns are the leading method of suicide. I believe we should have a 3 day waiting period from when someone purchases a firearm and actually takes possession of it. This gives time for some rational thinking and could eliminate an incident of gun violence. Courts are about the only places in NH where you can't bring a gun. I feel we should have gun-free schools, playgrounds, college campuses, polling locations, legislatures, and hospitals. I believe there should be a background check done for anyone purchasing a firearm and permits for conceal carry. My viewpoint may be conservative but it is formed by experiencing far too many incidences of gun violence in the US. The common availability of guns to so many people make the chance of gun violence far more likely. I think gun violence has become a Public Health issue here in the US."
