Spec Bowers

Bowers has written several articles against "Obamacare." For example, in one article he wrote, "The point of this essay is not to highlight all that is wrong with ObamaCare - that would take many more volumes. It is to emphasize that the Law of Unintended Consequences can never be repealed. Politicians who ignore that law do so at our peril."

More state immigration enforcement
For| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

Should NH do more to enforce federal immigration laws?

Does not believe immigration laws should be left to the federal government

NH death penalty
For| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

Should NH keep the death penalty?

Does not want to repeal the death penalty

Property tax over income/sales tax
For| Read My Position

Americans for Prosperity Taxpayer Pledge, 2014

"I pledge to you that, if elected to serve the people, I will work tirelessly to: 1. Cut Taxes and Fees and Oppose any Tax Increase"

Repeal NH same-sex marriage
Other| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

Should NH repeal same-sex marriage?

"We should not have passed it, but now that it is law we should concentrate on more important issues."

Require car insurance
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

Should NH require car insurance for some or all drivers?

Against having mandatory automobile insurance

Require motorcycle helmets
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

Should NH require motorcycle helmets?

Against a mandatory helmet law for motorcycle riders

Require seat belts
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

Should NH require seat belts?

Not in favor of a mandatory seatbelt law for adults

Revise meals and rooms tax
Other| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

Should NH revise the meals and rooms tax?

Against increases to meals and rooms tax

Right-to-Work
For| Read My Position

Americans for Prosperity Taxpayer Pledge, 2014

"I pledge to you that, if elected to serve the people, I will work tirelessly to:
...3. Pass a Right to Work Law in New Hampshire"

Stricter gun laws
Against| Read My Position

Voting Record, 2011

Voted to repeal the license to carry a concealed firearm (HB 330)

Switch state retirement to 401(k)
For| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

Should NH government switch from a pension system to a 401(k)-style retirement plan?

Supports reform of retirement benefits for municipal and state employees

Wind power restrictions
Other| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2012

Should NH restrict further wind power development?

Supports restricting the use of windmills and windfarms for power generation based on the amount of subsidies, but not aesthetics or the environmental impact.

Voting Record

Voted against a Prescription Monitoring program

SB 286 (2012)

Establishes a prescription drug monitoring program funded entirely through "grants, gifts, or user contributions."

Voted against limiting primary elections to party members

HB 1595 (2012)

Limits primary elections to voters who have registered as party members.

Voted against limiting property tax Exemptions

HB 1482 (2012)

Limits the exemption from property taxation granted to charitable nonprofit hospitals only to the main campus of the hospital.

Voted against public financing

HB 1676 (2012)

Establishes a pilot program to provide public financing for eligible candidates for state senator.

Voted against raising the age of juvenile offenders

HB 1667 (2012)

Raises the threshold between juvenile and adult offenders from seventeen to eighteen years-old.

Voted against requiring verification

HB 1492 (2012)

Requires public employers to verify an employee's eligibility to work in the United States.

Voted for "Right to Work"

HB 1677 (2012)

Right-to-Work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.

Voted for decriminalization of marijuana

HB 1526 (2012)

Decriminalizes possession of 1/2 ounce or less of marijuana, with additional penalties for violators under age twenty-one.

Voted for Health Care Compact

HB 1560 (2012)

Establishes the interstate Health Care Compact, which provides that each member state shall have the authority to enact state laws that trump all federal laws regarding health care within its state.

Voted for limiting assistance

HB 1658 (2012)

Limits financial assistance for mothers who have additional children while receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The House and Senate amended the bill to instead establish an income and identity verification system for public assistance recipients.

Voted for medicinal marijuana

SB 409 (2012)

Allows medicinal marijuana through home growing.

Voted for requiring legislative approval

HB 1487 (2012)

Requires legislative approval for the expenditure of funds involving New Hampshire in any low carbon fuel standards program, such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

Voted for tax credit increase

SB 295 (2012)

Increases the Research and Development tax credit.

Voted for

HB 1659 (2012)

"Women's Right to Know Act," mandating that women considering an abortion receive "complete and accurate information on abortion and its alternatives."

Voted in favor of earned time credits for rehabilitation

HB 1654 (2012)

Authorizes earned time credits for inmates participating in rehabilitative programming.

Voted in favor of limiting abortion

HB 1660 (2012)

Prohibits abortions beyond 20 weeks gestation.

Voted in favor of limiting E Minent domain

HB 648 (2012)

Forbids the use of eminent domain for regional electricity projects when costs and benefits cannot be shared across the ISO - New England network.

Voted in favor of limiting in-state tuition to U.S. citizens

HB 1383 (2012)

States that only United States citizens may receive in-state tuition at the University of New Hampshire.

Voted in favor of moratoriums

HB 1405 (2012)

Allows local governments to establish moratoriums on refugee resettlement.

Voted to allow concealed carry without a license

HB 330 (2011)

Repeals the requirement to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm.

Voted to consider a religious Exemption

HB 1264 (2012)

Establishes a religious exemption for individuals who do not wish to provide accommodations, goods, or services for same-sex marriages.

Voted to consider allowing felons to possess some self-defense weapons

HB 1511 (2012)

Removes the prohibition on convicted felons possessing certain weapons for self-defense.

Voted to consider exempting foodstuffs from federal regulation

HB 1650 (2012)

Exempts foodstuffs grown or produced and then sold in New Hampshire from federal regulation.

Voted to consider legalizing marijuana

HB 1705 (2012)

Legalizes and taxes marijuana for adults over age twenty-one.

Voted to override Governor's veto

HB 1679 (2012)

Prohibits partial birth abortions and abortions in the third trimester.

Voted to override Governor's veto

HB 1666 (2012)

Requires legislative approval of any collective bargaining agreement entered into by the state.

Voted to override Governor's veto

HB 592 (2012)

Redistricts the House of Representatives.

Voted to override Governor's veto

SB 372 (2012)

Establishes a tax credit for businesses that contribute to a scholarship fund for students who wish to attend private, parochial, or home schools.

Voted to override Governor's veto

SB 289 (2012)

Requires voters to present identification at polling places.

Voted to support the Electoral College

HCR 42 (2012)

Expresses support for preserving the Electoral College.

Voted to table this bill

HB 1413 (2012)

Directs New Hampshire to withdraw from the No Child Left Behind federal education program.

Did not vote

SB 52 (2011)

Repeals early release programs for inmates convicted of violent crimes.

Vote to override Governor's veto

HB 218 (2011)

Repeals the New Hampshire Rail Transit Auhority (NHRTA).

Voted against changing elibigility to vote

HB 176 (2011)

Changes the definition of "domicile" for voting purposes so that out-of-state students can not claim domicile in New Hampshire.

Voted against earmarks for public safety

HR 9 (2011)

Resolution expressing support for earmarks for law enforcement.

Voted against earmarks for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

HCR 23 (2011)

Urges congressional earmarks for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Voted for defunding NHPTV

HB 113 (2011)

Prohibits the use of state funds for New Hampshire Public Television (NHPTV).

Voted in favor of a narrower definition of bullying

HB 370 (2011)

Reverses the expanded definition of bullying in the Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention Act.

Voted in favor of considering "domestic unions"

HB 569 (2011)

Establishes "domestic unions" as an alternative to marriage.

Voted to consider an Exemption from the education property tax

HB 340 (2011)

Exempts parents from the education property tax if their children are not enrolled in public school.

Voted to consider raising speed limits

SB 27 (2011)

Raises the speed limit in some areas of Lake Winnipesaukee.

Voted to consider repealing the public kindergarten requirement

HB 631 (2011)

Repeals the requirement that school districts offer public kindergarten.

Voted to eliminate "evergreen clauses"

SB 1 (2011)

Eliminates "evergreen clauses" in public contracts.

Voted to override Governor's veto

SB 88 (2011)

Expands the use of deadly force, adding "Stand Your Ground" to the "Castle Doctrine." Under this bill victims could use deadly force without retreating, anywhere the victim has the right to be.

Voted to override Governor's veto