Richard Swanson
Historical Details
Position on Issues
Against| Read My Position
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?
"It is a steal from our public schools and an attack on public education."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"I promise to protect abortion rights."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"I promise to protect abortion rights."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?
"Against"
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"?
"It is censorship, and it is driving qualified teachers away from the profession."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"The people of NH are getting slammed by property taxes because the State is shifting the tax burden for education down to towns and cities. If the Sate is going to pick up its fair share, it will need to find a funding source other than property taxes. If not a broad based tax, we could legalize cannabis and dedicate a share of the revenues to public education. This has worked out very well for the schools in Colorado."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"The people of NH are getting slammed by property taxes because the State is shifting the tax burden for education down to towns and cities. If the Sate is going to pick up its fair share, it will need to find a funding source other than property taxes. If not a broad based tax, we could legalize cannabis and dedicate a share of the revenues to public education. This has worked out very well for the schools in Colorado."
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?
"For"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"Business taxes are not a barrier to business recruitment in New Hampshire. If we want to recruit businesses to the State, the best thing we can do is to have first-rate schools and an educated workforce. Businesses can pay their fair share."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"Climate change is real."
Against| Read My Position
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?
"Against"
Against| 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?
"Against"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"There is an affordable housing crisis in NH. A town should be able to provide incentives for affordable housing."
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?
"It will help us make the transition away from fossil fuels, and we will save money in the long term."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"I promise to protect abortion rights."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?
"For"
Against| Read My Position
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?
"Education funding should be fair to students AND local property tax payers."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?
"For"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"For"
Undecided| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"Undecided"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"When I was a city councilmember in Flagstaff, Arizona, I wrote a local minimum wage ordinance. It narrowly failed 4-3, but it was an interesting discussion. A day's work ought to pay a living wage."
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?
"Yes, homeowners are getting slammed by local property taxes."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?
"The wealthiest individuals pay the Interests and Dividends tax, and they can afford it. If we phase it out, where are we going to make up the difference?"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"I promise to protect abortion rights."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"Against"
