Rick M. Ladd
Serving as: NH House Grafton County District 05
Completed our 2024 State Candidate Survey
Position on Issues
For| 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?
"Your child is eight or nine years old just once, and as a parent, you want the best education possible? That question is driving school choice. For your child, the best learning fit may be public school, private school, homeschooling or an alternative learning environment such as the Education Freedom Account Program. It's not that one program is better than the other, but a decision a parent must make based upon: a child's learning style, academic needs, behavior, family beliefs, or perhaps family scheduling such as proximity to where parents work. Charter public school enrollment has increased 30% in the last five years. Beginning this fall, it is projected that slightly more than 5,000 children will be taking advantage of the Education Freedom Account Program (EFA). This program is administered by the Children's Scholarship Fund. Families below 350% of the federal poverty income level are eligible for an average EFA grant of $5,255. To receive such a grant, the student cannot be enrolled in a public school, and grant funds may only be used to purchase supplies or services from an approved education provider. In accordance with NH statute, all participants in the EFA program must annually complete a standardized nationally normed test such as the California Achievement Test or the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, complete an annual portfolio to be assessed by a certified teacher, or go to the local public school and take the statewide assessment. As in the public school system, students in grades K- 2, do not take the statewide assessment. Academic achievement and growth are determined by a certified teacher. It's alarming that the statewide proficiency average of 8th grade math students is 35%. Parents may ask, 'Could my student have a better opportunity to achieve in an alternative education environment?' The EFA program was signed into law three years ago, and it has become a viable education option for approximately 3% of New Hampshire's 165,000 K-12 student population. This alternative choice program is available to students and parents through the NH Children's Scholarship Fund."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"Against"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"A broad-based income tax would negatively impact the NHAdvantage. We do not want to go down the path of states that tax and spend such as California and Massachusetts. People are moving from Massachusetts to NH to escape taxes."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"A broad-based sales tax would negatively impact the NHAdvantage. As a resident of Haverhill, NH which is located on the Connecticut River, NH's small businesses and retail stores located in the community attract many shoppers from Vermont due to no sales tax. Once a state sales tax is adopted, the sales tax rate will increase. 'When is enough ENOUGH'"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"Lowering business taxes will enable business to use earned revenue for growing business and creating jobs. More job opportunities will keep young people and families in NH. By growing our skilled work force, NH will attract new businesses to the state. Grow business, not government."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?
"This is a paper tax and counter productive to wise investment. People need to invest in our economy and these investments spur growth."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"I support NHDES in dealing with groundwater contamination when addressing PFAS (forever pollutants). Some groundwater contamination such as arsenic is a natural element that can be mitigated. But, in regard to the government mandating climate control measures such as 'electric' vehicles in 'x' number of years, I cannot support legislation jumping ahead of science or fully developed and proven technology. A quantum leap from fossil fuels would be a costly mistake to our country and economic sustainability."
Against| 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?
"Against"
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"Municipalities need to drive this issue as all municipalities within the state are not the same. Local municipalities, based upon local residents, have the responsibility to develop their own master plans that address issues such as zoning, planning, workforce housing and more. Decisions such as this are done through local government: zoning boards, planning boards, select boards, city council, through the annual meeting process."
Against| 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?
"Against"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"For"
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state increase funding for child care providers?
"This is an issue NH needs to address as child care is a complicated matter. The weekly and monthly cost for child care is prohibitive for many young families. Child care is a workforce issue, as many young families need two incomes. For one adult to remain home taking care of non school ages children, this too, is not a viable answer for all."
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?
"The complicated interaction of state and local funding of public education invites the question, 'Should NH's reliance upon property taxes be reduced?' In accordance with court findings, state K-12 appropriations must provide the opportunity for an adequate education to all children, regardless of a municipality's wealth or need. To comply with court findings, as some have proposed, the K-12 state adequacy formula would be increased from $4,180 to $7,200 per pupil. To accomplish this end, the NH biennium education adequacy funding formula would require an additional $960M. I am sensitive to disparity and inequities encountered in property poor schools; however, I cannot support either an income tax or sales tax as a remedy to 'fix' education funding. Rather, the state needs to focus on funding accountability while also modifying the current budget distribution formula to better fund required educational needs in property and income poor districts. Consideration should also be given to redirecting excess SWEPT funds to better support property poor communities."
Against| 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?
"As a young officer in Vietnam, I saw how substance abuse destroyed lives. Marijuana is a gateway drug, and as a retired teacher and school principal I have encouraged the implementation of substance abuse programs in schools designed to better inform our youth of the negative impacts marijuana and other drugs, including alcohol, have on youth adults. Preventing and reducing substance misuse through educating and disallowing recreational use of marijuana contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Passing legislation allowing recreational use of marijuana sends the wrong message to young people."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"As a young officer in Vietnam, I saw how substance abuse destroyed lives. Marijuana is a gateway drug, and as a retired teacher and school principal I have encouraged the implementation of substance abuse programs in schools designed to better inform our youth of the negative impacts marijuana and other drugs, including alcohol, have on youth adults. Preventing and reducing substance misuse through educating and disallowing recreational use of marijuana contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Passing legislation allowing recreational use of marijuana sends the wrong message to young people."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"As a young officer in Vietnam, I saw how substance abuse destroyed lives. Marijuana is a gateway drug, and as a retired teacher and school principal I have encouraged the implementation of substance abuse programs in schools designed to better inform our youth of the negative impacts marijuana and other drugs, including alcohol, have on youth adults. Preventing and reducing substance misuse through educating and disallowing recreational use of marijuana contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Passing legislation allowing recreational use of marijuana sends the wrong message to young people."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"Raise the minimum wage, fewer jobs will be available for young people. Raising the minimum wage will see all wages go up and with that cycle, consumer prices will increase. Rather than government raising the minimum wage, wages will grow based upon competition and demand."
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 need more information. There are constitutional and interstate commerce issues regarding individuals being denied traveling to or from states."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"Against"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?
"For"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"Firm supporter of the 2nd Amendment"
