On the Issues

Education Freedom & Parents’ Rights

Every student has a right to an education that best suits his or her needs and passions and shouldn’t be trapped in a school that doesn’t meet those needs. In Concord, I have advocated for universal education freedom, helping to pass the Universal Education Freedom Account law recently signed by Governor Ayotte. I have also supported more ways for students to learn in the best ways for them, both in and outside the classroom, including more open best interest transfers and open enrollment schools.
Just as students have a right to a tailored and worthwhile education, parents have the right to direct the upbringing of their children. Therefore, parents should have those rights clearly outlined in law for easy reference so schools cannot violate them. Having recently graduated myself, I’ve seen just how much schools hide from parents and students alike. Our public schools need more transparency, more accountability, and more collaboration with parents to ensure a quality education for all students. I supported the newly-passed Parental Bill of Rights and will continue to push for more ways for parents to have more direction in the raising of their children.

Civics Education

We often consider math, reading and writing, science, and history and civics to be the core areas of study in a traditional education, but history and civics are often far more neglected than the rest. This has led to generations of students who are practically illiterate when it comes to our nation’s history, current events, and even geography. We need to promote more ways for young people to learn about and experience what it means to be an American and a Granite Stater. Providing excused absences from school to engage in civic activities like testifying on legislation; creating more opportunities for students to engage in state and local government; and required, dedicated, and robust civics classes for graduation are all ways to better teach kids. I cosponsored HB571, which Governor Ayotte signed into law, now requiring schools to provide instruction on Constitution Day each year, ensuring our students know more about and value our Constitution.

Protecting the New Hampshire Advantage

New Hampshire is consistently ranked as one of the best states in the Union to live in, and this is thanks to just how unique the Granite State is. Our focus on local control, the lack of state sales and income taxes, and a government truly by the people make New Hampshire so great. In Concord, I will never vote for a sales tax or income tax and I’ll ensure that local control and government power closest to the citizens remain at the forefront of the Granite State’s public life.

Growing Small Businesses

New Hampshire is already one of the most business-friendly states in the nation, but we can always do more to improve that reputation further. By increasing access to CTE programs to bring more people directly into the workforce, removing licensure barriers, making it easier to hire employees, and lowering taxes on small business, we can make sure that they not only sustain but thrive.

Protecting the Second Amendment

The right to bear arms is fundamental to our nation, and New Hampshire has done an excellent job upholding it in the past with constitutional concealed and open carry. Protecting not only hunters’ rights but the rights of Granite Staters to defend themselves and others is key.

Ensuring Accessible Housing

Several years ago, my family lost my childhood home because we could no longer afford the mortgage and the increasing property tax, and we struggled to find a new place to live. This reflects the situation of many families in our state who either have never been able to afford a home of their own or are forced out of their houses by high taxes. We need to lower property taxes, especially for the elderly living on retirement and Social Security, and remove the barriers to building new homes to ensure that more families can afford them.