Renee l. Blaisdell

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?

"Parents are looking for alternatives because they are unsatisfied with what is being taught in public schools. We need to refocus the public school system to provide appropriate education, where parents have a say in what social programs are presented by outside vendors. The entire community pays taxes, even folks who have never had children, to ensure all our children get a basic education. Each one of them must have equal opportunity to thrive without school funds going to private institutions."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?

"This issue is more complex than checking a box. We must consider that abortion is necessary in some cases. We must also find ways to encourage an expectant mother choose not to abort when it is not necessary. With careful contemplation and deliberation, our law must be crafted to weigh a woman's right to bodily autonomy and medical privacy against her baby's right to life. Options to abortion should be at the forefront. Education for expectant mothers must be available so they can make an informed decision whether to end their baby's life. We must also modify regulations to help make adoption more affordable. I propose our 'abortion laws' be crafted to focus on regulating the sale of fetal tissue. Certain organizations have a financial interest in pushing the idea that abortions should be unrestricted - so they can harvest and sell more tissue for profit. Those organizations should be heavily regulated."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?

"This issue is more complex than checking a box. We must consider that abortion is necessary in some cases. We must also find ways to encourage an expectant mother choose not to abort when it is not necessary. With careful contemplation and deliberation, our law must be crafted to weigh a woman's right to bodily autonomy and medical privacy against her baby's right to life. Options to abortion should be at the forefront. Education for expectant mothers must be available so they can make an informed decision whether to end their baby's life. We must also modify regulations to help make adoption more affordable. I propose our 'abortion laws' be crafted to focus on regulating the sale of fetal tissue. Certain organizations have a financial interest in pushing the idea that abortions should be unrestricted - so they can harvest and sell more tissue for profit. Those organizations should be heavily regulated."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?

"Children K- 3 are too young to be exposed to the politics of gender identity. Let them enjoy growing up with each other, learning that their fellow humans show a myriad of characteristics, especially while developing. They should be free to be tomboys or otherwise without adults overexplaining."

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 do believe that young children need to be sheltered from the politics of our time. They need to be taught to love and respect each other, work together and develop their own character. There is a level of maturity and experience that is required to fully understand the nuances of racism, sexism and societal oppression. Let children learn relationships naturally without burdening them with these concepts until they reach the appropriate level of maturity. Once maturity is reached, parents must have full access to the curriculum beforehand and have the option to decide whether their child will participate."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

"No income tax. Government needs to find ways to generate non-tax income for the State of New Hampshire. We have a model in place already, the state liquor sales model. Surely, we can find more ways to generate revenue to support the citizens without additional taxes. If an income tax were implemented, what kind of exodus by high income earners would we see? People who earn higher incomes help financially support the community by spending their money at restaurants, stores and on property taxes. The addition of a state income tax will entice many to leave and take their money and skills with them."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?

"No sales tax. Citizens already struggle to pay their utilities, groceries and gasoline. The costs of rent, mortgages and property taxes are currently unmanageable for many citizens and adding a sales tax will further erode their ability to save and invest for retirement and their children's education. Also, implementing a sales tax will deter out-of-staters from coming to New Hampshire to purchase goods and that will put our economy at risk. Government needs to find ways to generate non-tax income for the State of New Hampshire. I believe we can find additional goods or services that the State can provide that will earn money to support the citizens' needs."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire add a tax credit for businesses that contribute to student loan repayment for employees?

"My opinion depends upon the mathematics of this proposed tax credit and whether there will be safe guards in place to prevent abuse of the credit."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?

"New Hampshire needs to attract more businesses that provide high-paying jobs. Increasing business taxes does not attract new businesses."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?

"The New Hampshire government should focus on making sure its citizens have sufficient food, shelter and warmth first. I am hesitant to answer a question that uses the undefined and politicized term of 'climate change.'"

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?

"Yes. The deadline should be very short."

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?

"Electric car owners should pay for the electricity the car uses. An additional 'fee' is a tax and I am opposed to that tax."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?

"We have a shortage of affordable housing in New Hampshire. We should encourage towns - and the State - to revisit zoning restrictions to allow for lower cost housing. Some towns and the State own property that we should explore using for affordable housing. Working together, we can find ways to meet the housing needs of our fellow residents."

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?

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?

"We need to focus on making sure families can afford utilities to keep from freezing to death this winter. Any vote on extending the renewable portfolio standard should be delayed until our state's (and country's) energy supply is stabilized."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?

"This issue is more complex than checking a box. We must consider that abortion is necessary in some cases. We must also find ways to encourage an expectant mother choose not to abort when it is not necessary. With careful contemplation and deliberation, our law must be crafted to weigh a woman's right to bodily autonomy and medical privacy against her baby's right to life. Options to abortion should be at the forefront. Education for expectant mothers must be available so they can make an informed decision whether to end their baby's life. We must also modify regulations to help make adoption more affordable. I propose our 'abortion laws' be crafted to focus on regulating the sale of fetal tissue. Certain organizations have a financial interest in pushing the idea that abortions should be unrestricted - so they can harvest and sell more tissue for profit. Those organizations should be heavily regulated."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should the state increase funding for child care providers?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?

"No. Broad-based mail-in ballots are an avenue for fraud. A voter needs to prove s/he is eligible (and still living) to vote in a certain district."

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?

"Our children need to have the best education that society can provide, regardless of the value of the property in their hometown. If additional funding for public schools in needed, we need to find creative ways to provide that funding."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?

"With the drug addiction problem we currently have, I do not think it is the right time to add one more drug to the open market. However, if it becomes inevitable that recreational marijuana is legalized in New Hampshire, consider this proposition: The State will own and regulate the business from beginning to end. The profit would go to the State Treasury. The State would own the land to be used to grow, test and package the product. The product would only be sold at State liquor stores. There would be a bidding procedure to award a contract to manage the production. The contract would not be in perpetuity and would have provisions for early termination should the State determine the business is causing harm."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?

"With the drug addiction problem we currently have, I do not think it is the right time to add one more drug to the open market. However, if it becomes inevitable that recreational marijuana is legalized in New Hampshire, consider this proposition: The State will own and regulate the business from beginning to end. The profit would go to the State Treasury. The State would own the land to be used to grow, test and package the product. The product would only be sold at State liquor stores. There would be a bidding procedure to award a contract to manage the production. The contract would not be in perpetuity and would have provisions for early termination should the State determine the business is causing harm."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?

"With the drug addiction problem we currently have, I do not think it is the right time to add one more drug to the open market. However, if it becomes inevitable that recreational marijuana is legalized in New Hampshire, consider this proposition: The State will own and regulate the business from beginning to end. The profit would go to the State Treasury. The State would own the land to be used to grow, test and package the product. The product would only be sold at State liquor stores. There would be a bidding procedure to award a contract to manage the production. The contract would not be in perpetuity and would have provisions for early termination should the State determine the business is causing harm."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?

"As someone who has worked for $12-$15 most of her life, I have empathy for folks who should be paid more for the value they bring to their employers. There are, however, a lot of factors to consider when proposing a blanket minimum wage increase. The economics of this subject need to be thoughtfully deliberated before making a blanket change."

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?

"The State should help struggling towns implement plans to attract businesses and good jobs for their residents. With proper planning, towns can help increase their own revenue and their residents' standard of living by means other than redistribution."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?

"Generally, I'm all in for lowering taxes where we can afford to do so. The potential for financial reward on investments is what motivates people and businesses to take financial risks, rather than squirreling away cash under the mattress. Those investments drive innovation, provide solutions and keep our economy moving forward. The question is whether a phase-out of the current interest and dividends tax structure can be done while keeping the state budget balanced. If that can be managed, make it so."

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?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?

"This issue is more complex than checking a box. We must consider that abortion is necessary in some cases. We must also find ways to encourage an expectant mother choose not to abort when it is not necessary. With careful contemplation and deliberation, our law must be crafted to weigh a woman's right to bodily autonomy and medical privacy against her baby's right to life. Options to abortion should be at the forefront. Education for expectant mothers must be available so they can make an informed decision whether to end their baby's life. We must also modify regulations to help make adoption more affordable. I propose our 'abortion laws' be crafted to focus on regulating the sale of fetal tissue. Certain organizations have a financial interest in pushing the idea that abortions should be unrestricted - so they can harvest and sell more tissue for profit. Those organizations should be heavily regulated."

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024

Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?

"We should focus on whether the current laws are effective in keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals. Proposition: Ensure that every public high school has a comprehensive firearm safety program available for high school students. This program would include the topics of safety, law, shooting techniques, self defense and all the subjects that responsible citizens should know."