Nicholas J. Lydon
Running for: NH House Merrimack County District 09
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 believe that anyone who wants their child to attend a private school should be able to do so. But I believe that the option shouldn't take away from those who either don't have that option, or do not wish to take part in it. Keeping our schools funded should be one of our highest priorities, and allowing funds to be diverted away from our public schools does more harm than it does good."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"Any decision based on a medical condition should be the sole business of an individual, and their doctor. As a lawmaker, I would never get between trained medical staff, and the best path forward between them and their patients."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"Any decision based on a medical condition should be the sole business of an individual, and their doctor. As a lawmaker, I would never get between trained medical staff, and the best path forward between them and their patients."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"As a blanket statement on any major shift in our tax system, I believe a very in-depth study as to the effectiveness of the change, and the impact it would have must first be completed. To call for any major change without first doing all of the research of its impact would be extremely reckless. At the point that a full analysis has been done, then I would be willing towards the best path forward."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"As a blanket statement on any major shift in our tax system, I believe a very in-depth study as to the effectiveness of the change, and the impact it would have must first be completed. To call for any major change without first doing all of the research of its impact would be extremely reckless. At the point that a full analysis has been done, then I would be willing towards the best path forward."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"As a blanket statement on any major shift in our tax system, I believe a very in-depth study as to the effectiveness of the change, and the impact it would have must first be completed. To call for any major change without first doing all of the research of its impact would be extremely reckless. At the point that a full analysis has been done, then I would be willing towards the best path forward."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?
"As a blanket statement on any major shift in our tax system, I believe a very in-depth study as to the effectiveness of the change, and the impact it would have must first be completed. To call for any major change without first doing all of the research of its impact would be extremely reckless. At the point that a full analysis has been done, then I would be willing towards the best path forward."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"Yes, climate change is happening right now. The state needs to take a larger look into our electrical infrastructure and come up with a plan that both modernizes our power generation, but also our power distribution. As a state that relies on our natural beauty and resources, we must do everything in our power to preserve them."
Other| 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, like all states, must always be looking for ways to make voting easier for its residents to be involved in the process. Specifically, with this issue I would need to become more familiar with the issue to give a more formal opinion on it."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"Yes, I believe that the state should be proactive in encouraging local municipalities to reassess zoning for residential growth, but I believe that the decisions should still remain at the local level."
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?
"Yes, as a state that is trying to lure more industry in to it, we must reach a level playing field with the surrounding states. We have major companies in our state right now that would build the net metering infrastructure if they could, but our current cap of 1 MW prevents them from wanting to do it. As one of the top states as far as energy cost goes, we must find ways to lower operating costs for residents and businesses to ease the burden of those high electricity costs."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"Any decision based on a medical condition should be the sole business of an individual, and their doctor. As a lawmaker, I would never get between trained medical staff, and the best path forward between them and their patients."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state increase funding for child care providers?
"Assistance with childcare for many young families is one of the hardest hurdles to get over. Having personally had to navigate it with my own children when they were younger, I understand how this can keep some people out of the work force. With a shortage of workers in almost all industries, the state has a vested interest in keeping childcare affordable enough to allow both parents to go to work. And with the high costs we face today, some families cannot afford to have to stay home becasue the cost of childcare is too high."
Other| 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 believe this model is okay, but as we recently learned, the state hasn't been fulfilling its end of the funding. In order for this model to work, the state must begin paying the full amount that it had promised to the local municipalities."
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?
"I believe at this point we've seen every state that shares a border with us prove that legalization, with a thought-out tax structure can greatly help a state. I also believe it has done a lot to remove the stigma around its use."
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?
"I believe at this point we've seen every state that shares a border with us prove that legalization, with a thought-out tax structure can greatly help a state. I also believe it has done a lot to remove the stigma around its use."
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"I believe at this point we've seen every state that shares a border with us prove that legalization, with a thought-out tax structure can greatly help a state. I also believe it has done a lot to remove the stigma around its use."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"I believe it has been far too long since we have done an evaluation into our minimum wage rates. My only suggestion about a minimum wage is that it shouldn't be a hard fixed number, as that only leaves us in the same spot in the future. Instead, I think it would be better to look at a metric that slowly grows with the general financial health of the state each year to avoid large sporadic increases."
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?
"New Hampshire should endeavor to do what is right for all people within its borders, even if only temporarily there."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"Any decision based on a medical condition should be the sole business of an individual, and their doctor. As a lawmaker, I would never get between trained medical staff, and the best path forward between them and their patients."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?
"I do not believe it is in our best interest to take any time or attention away from our local police, from the job they already have to do."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"I believe that we must look at our gun laws and evaluate the best path forward. There's more that we can and should be doing with regards to background checks and red flag laws that are in everyone's best interest. As a gun owner, I understand the great amount of responsibility that comes with owning a firearm. I believe that this goes further into doing everything we can to ensure that anyone who possesses a firearm is also doing everything they can to be responsible. Background checks for all transfers of a firearm are a must."
