Belknap County District 2 (4 seats) represents Gilford and Meredith
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What specific policy do you see as most vital? School choice
How do you plan to address the significant budget challenges our state will face in the months ahead? Government budget cuts
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What specific policy do you see as most vital? We need to expand our energy choices. We must move forward to address the climate crisis and to provide an economy that works in the long-term for NH. Our towns, businesses, property owners, and residents have been clamoring to lower their energy costs and they know how to get there, but they continue to be stymied by our Governor. A second issue to me is voting rights and implementing an independent redistricting commission for NH. I support making voting secure and easier. I am willing to vote for a new Secretary of State to make sure that we eliminate confusion, antiquated rules, and disenfranchising policies for voter registration. Currently, our laws are crafted to favor retired people with cars. I believe no political party should draw districts designed to perpetuate their control over the citizens of NH. This did happen in 2011 in NH when the Republicans were in the majority. Independent redistricting commissions are common now because they remove the backroom dealing and bias. They get public input, review the census data, draw the lines, and focus on equitable representation rather than advantage. The legislature will still approve the plan per our constitution. I strongly support this.
How do you plan to address the significant budget challenges our state will face in the months ahead? I do not look forward to serving under the predicted fiscal situation but am determined to address it with an open mind. There may be new and creative ways to reduce spending, but we will certainly need to continue the hiring freeze already underway, delay services and capital projects, consider what really needs to be done in the next 6 months to year, and regrettably, some furloughs. For filling the revenue gap, I would pursue the State’s rainy day fund and aggressively pursue federal relief dollars primarily. Increasing taxes from elective sources like gambling, vaping or alcohol sales might be a consideration, but I think attempting to raise existing taxes or fees higher during such an unusual major recession (or near-depression) may not yield much. We need to reach upward to the US government because of its massive borrowing power rather than squeeze blood from what looks to become a stone. In any decisions, I believe we must prioritize NH residents’ safety and health first: ensuring food access, keeping people in their homes (& keeping landlords solvent), access to health care, and continuing human services for those in need.
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What specific policy do you see as most vital? We need to protect the environment by addressing climate change. We must move toward renewable energy. We can create new opportunities, and with retraining the work force, we can offer good, high-paying jobs. We must have policies to protect our natural resources and guarantee clean water.
How do you plan to address the significant budget challenges our state will face in the months ahead? I believe we can work with the budget by reallocating expenditures. We should look into maximizing grant procurement. I would look into making it attractive for companies to do business in NH. And finally, I would do a study looking into legalizing marijuana to compete with neighboring states.
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What specific policy do you see as most vital? Our statewide housing crisis is my priority. Young people in NH struggle to find attainably-priced real estate; if elected I’d look for ways to improve this situation, including but not limited to inclusionary zoning and the construction of community-centered live-work developments. Our unhoused population is significant and will expand when the pandemic’s eviction restrictions are lifted. High rent, low wages and racism are all top causes of houselessness – this is a systemic issue. It is less expensive for communities to provide housing than our current model of policing and criminalizing. People need safe, secure housing to stay healthy and thrive in the community, and that can happen with housing-first advocates in the Legislature.
How do you plan to address the significant budget challenges our state will face in the months ahead? I won’t pretend to have a comprehensive plan for NH’s complex financial recovery, especially since the pandemic isn’t over and federal aid is in flux. However, as a young person I’m motivated to protect our vulnerable populations as well as the environment.
■Glen Aldrich, a Republican, Shelley Carita, a Democrat, Jonathan Mackie, a Republican, Norm Silber, a Republican, did not return a questionnaire.