Walter Spilsbury
Serving as: NH House Sullivan County District 03
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?
"If the goal is to support the education of our students, it is appropriate to treat them as individuals, offer them choices, and allow the state's funds to follow the student."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"Current law, allowing an abortion up to 24 weeks into a pregnancy, strikes an appropriate balance between two equally legitimate state interests. I voted for current law and have zero interest in changing it, in either direction. Current law does "guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks gestation", so I would not welcome measures that would merely restate that the law allows what the law already allows."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"Current law, allowing an abortion up to 24 weeks into a pregnancy, strikes an appropriate balance between two equally legitimate state interests. I voted for current law and have zero interest in changing it, in either direction. Current law does "guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks gestation", so I would not welcome measures that would merely restate that the law allows what the law already allows."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"Totally opposed."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"I would only consider supporting a broad-based sales tax if there were explicit constitutionally adopted limits on the rate and purpose that was directly coupled to shifting the funding of local education and county government off of the real property tax as a direct substitution."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"There may be a bit more room for a rate reduction, but there are other measures that may make incremental sense such as enhanced capitalization or depreciation allowances."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?
"Totally opposed."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"Too open ended to respond. What?"
For| 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?
"Yes, I have supported this approach, but there are other options to consider as well. The bottom line is that there must be a means of ensuring eligibility to vote before the vote is counted."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"Where there is a genuine need, local decision-makers and voters will almost certainly find solutions, but there is virtually nothing in this category of lawmaking in which one approach fits all municipalities across the state."
Undecided| 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?
"Undecided"
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"Current law, allowing an abortion up to 24 weeks into a pregnancy, strikes an appropriate balance between two equally legitimate state interests. I voted for current law and have zero interest in changing it, in either direction. Current law does "guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks gestation", so I would not welcome measures that would merely restate that the law allows what the law already allows."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state increase funding for child care providers?
"Childcare should remain private enterprise."
Against| 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?
"No, it's a horrible system that places too much burden on a single revenue source and wrecks property poor communities."
Undecided| 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?
"Legalizing cannabis will involve trade-offs and challenges, without doubt, but those should be addressed discretely on their own merits rather than to be cited as an objection to legalization. The benefits will outweigh the deficits, particularly with the goals of driving out the black market and adulterated product. It is easier to monitor and control practices that are leglized and regulated."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"Legalizing cannabis will involve trade-offs and challenges, without doubt, but those should be addressed discretely on their own merits rather than to be cited as an objection to legalization. The benefits will outweigh the deficits, particularly with the goals of driving out the black market and adulterated product. It is easier to monitor and control practices that are leglized and regulated."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"Legalizing cannabis will involve trade-offs and challenges, without doubt, but those should be addressed discretely on their own merits rather than to be cited as an objection to legalization. The benefits will outweigh the deficits, particularly with the goals of driving out the black market and adulterated product. It is easier to monitor and control practices that are leglized and regulated."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"Minimum wages are a classic case of a dog chasing its tail. Let the market set wages and find equilibrium itself."
Against| 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?
"NH law states what is allowed in NH. It has nothing to do with state of residency. There is no reason to create such a separate legal protection. I see no evidence that NH is trying to limit interstate travel."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"Current law, allowing an abortion up to 24 weeks into a pregnancy, strikes an appropriate balance between two equally legitimate state interests. I voted for current law and have zero interest in changing it, in either direction. Current law does "guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks gestation", so I would not welcome measures that would merely restate that the law allows what the law already allows."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?
"The active word being 'cooperate', of course."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"Against"
