Stephen Ketel
Historical Details
Position on Issues
For| Read My Position
"I support the adoption of core curriculum standards (Common Core State Standards) as a way for the states to work together in utilizing the best ideas in education."
Against| Read My Position
"
New Hampshire has a constitutional responsibility to educate our children. The government in Concord has spent more than a decade trying to work out an adequate funding plan for the schools. School funding is still not compliant with the constitution. The Republicans have given up by attempting to change the constitution. The Republican amendment would raise taxes on towns and undermine the quality of education across our state.
"If I am elected, I will help in the task of defining an adequate education and vote for budgets that honor that definition."
Other| Read My Position
"I opposed the 50% cut in funding for the University System."
Against| Read My Position
"Government should not tell people they can't marry based on sexual orientation."
Other| Read My Position
"New Hampshire should do its best to attract businesses and high-quality jobs. We can do this through tax incentives for businesses to establish roots in our state and by keeping the quality of infrastructure at a high level. New Hampshire should not wait for improvements in information technology and transportation infrastructure; we should take a leading role. I would support legislation that utilizes federal and state funds to improve access to high-speed internet. I would support legislation that keeps New Hampshire business-friendly in a way that protects the rights of citizens.
"The Republicans have a different approach. The Democrats left the Republicans with a $17.7 million surplus. Even though the state is required by law to balance the budget, the Republicans are short by about $17 million. The Republicans cut more than $50 million from the DOT budget killing hundreds of jobs in areas of construction and maintenance."
Voting Record
HB 1294 (2014)
Requires Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to allow any health provider into their network for the purpose of participating in the online health insurance exchange.
HB 1360 (2014)
Forbids cell phone use while driving, unless hands-free.
HB 1486 (2014)
Decreases the fine for underage drinking from $300 to $100 on first offense and from $600 to $300 on a subsequent offense.
SB 319 (2014)
Authorizes "buffer zones" for protestors around reproductive health clinics.
HB 1633 (2014)
Authorizes one casino in New Hampshire, regulated by the Gaming Commission.
SB 318 (2014)
Establishes the crime of domestic violence.
SB 203 (2014)
Forbids the use of EBT cards or cash from EBT cards for alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets, firearms, or adult entertainment.
HB 1503 (2014)
Originally written to include fetuses eight weeks and older as potential victims under first and second degree murder, manslaughter, negligent homicide, and causing or aiding suicide. The House amended the bill to instead increase penalties for for manslaughter or negligent homicide causing a miscarriage or stillbirth.
HB 1508 (2014)
Terminates New Hampshire’s participation in the Common Core educational standards.
HB 1625 (2014)
Decriminalizes possession of one ounce or less of marijuana, with additional penalties for violators under age twenty-one.
SB 413 (2014)
Expands Medicaid eligibility, using private insurance wherever possible.
HB 1403 (2014)
Raises the minimum wage, starting at $9 per hour.
HB 1170 (2014)
Repeals the death penalty.
HB 1602 (2014)
Givies the Public Utilities Commission the power to force PSNH to sell its power plants. This bill also requires the state Site Evaluation Committee to address scenic impacts, sound impacts, fire protection plans, and more when evaluating wind farm proposals.
SB 207 (2014)
“Pay Equity Law,” a bill to combat pay discrimination based on gender, forbidding employers from restricting employees from discussing wages, and allowing a three year deadline to report pay discrimination to the state (current deadline is one year).
HB 1325 (2014)
Allows physician-assisted suicide.
HB 1411 (2014)
Sends some of last year's budget surplus to the Department of Health and Human Services.
SB 367 (2014)
Increases the gas tax by four-cents per gallon and removes the toll at Exit 12 in Merrimack.
SB 3 (2014)
Removes all tolls in Merrimack.
HB 271 (2013)
Forbids NH from expanding Medicaid eligibility under the federal Affordable Care Act.
HB 501 (2013)
Sets the state minimum wage at $7.25, in place of federal minimum wage.
HB 659 (2013)
Increases the tobacco tax.
SB 1 (2013)
Increases the Research and Development tax credit.
HB 443 (2013)
Bans prison privatization.
HB 630 (2013)
Reallocates proceeds from RGGI to the low-income energy efficiency program.
HB 451 (2013)
Increases the length of time for which a license to carry a concealed firearm is valid, and repeals the requirement to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm.
HB 323 (2013)
Right-to-Work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.
SB 152 (2013)
Authorizes a casino.
SB 153 (2013)
Gives the legislature power to review collective bargaining agreements entered into by the state.
HB 1 (2013)
Final 2014-2015 state budget, including increased funding for higher education, increased funding for services for individuals with mental illness and/or other disabilities, no Medicaid expansion, and no gas tax increase.
HB 306 (2013)
Changes RGGI to dedicate some of the proceeds to ratepayer rebates, and lowering the cap on carbon emissions, which will raise the cost of carbon credits to utilities and utility bills to consumers.
HB 573 (2013)
Allows medicinal use of marijuana, without allowing home growing.
HB 2 (2013)
Makes various appropriations related to the budget bill, and establishes commissions to study Medicaid expansion and casino regulations.
SB 163 (2013)
Establishes a commission to recommend legislation to prepare for projected sea level rise and other coastal and coastal watershed hazards.
HB 135 (2013)
Limits the use of deadly force, repealing "Stand Your Ground" in favor of the "Castle Doctrine." Under this bill victims could use deadly force within their homes without retreating, but anywhere else they would have to attempt retreat before resorting to deadly force.
HB 370 (2013)
Repeals the education tax credit program, in which businesses receive tax breaks for contributing to a scholarship fund for low income students that wish to attend private school.
HB 595 (2013)
Revises 2011 voter ID law to delay requirement that poll workers photograph voters without ID; also allows student ID at polls.
