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Rebecca Clarke's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Rebecca Clarke has provided voters with clear stances on key issues by responding to the 2018 Political Courage Test.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Wisconsin State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Pro-choice a) Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Yes b) Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
No c) Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
I think there is a key concept here that should be clear. Planned Parenthood's public funding does not go to abortions. As someone that used Planned Parenthood for years out of college, I appreciate what this organization does for families with limited or no insurance. In general, I trust women to make decisions about their sexual health and that of their family. I am uncomfortable with creating laws in regards to women's bodies.

1) Budget Stabilization:Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing Wisconsin's budget.

a) Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
b) Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
c) Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
Yes d) An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
I think state employees have been cut and furloughed enough, and now we have a teacher shortage. State employees have worked with legislators in the past, implementing furloughs and pay freezes. But we need to find more solutions. We have to look at our tax brackets in this state. We may need to repeal the WI Manufacturers and Ag credit, and we have to look at the WI Economic Development Corp, which needs better oversight regarding the loans to businesses they give with taxpayer dollars.
Yes a) Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
Yes b) Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
Yes c) Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
No d) Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
Voter ID laws have led to real confusion, especially for seniors and students - folks who don't drive. We also need to get money out of politics. That, and fair maps are reasons why voters I've talked to, Republican and Democrats, are fed up with politicians. There has been no evidence of widespread voter fraud in WI. I would also like to restore the WI Elections Board. Right now, we have an Elections Commission that is understaffed, and constantly under fire from Republicans. We have an election coming up and still have machines that are vulnerable to hacking.
No a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes b) Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
No c) Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
No d) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
Our police are already overwhelmed with the opioid crisis in our state, they shouldn't also become and arm of ICE. We have a lot of industries here that rely heavily on immigrant workers. We have to look at better work visa policies. Also, we have a problem with our incarceration rate of non-violent criminals, and I think everyone in this state is aware of the abysmal condition of our juvenile detention system. We can learn a lot from our neighboring states on reducing recidivism and bumping up pay and training for our police and correctional officers.
Yes a) Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
b) Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
No c) Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
d) Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
No e) Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
Yes f) Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Wisconsin?
g) Do you support offering state tax incentives to attract businesses to Wisconsin?
These are hard to answer as yes or no. State government has always provided loans for businesses to promote growth. We must ensure businesses meet those conditions and pay back those loans. I don't think the WI Man/Ag tax credit has worked as well where large corps don't pay any taxes. We have roads that need to get fixed. I need more info on the unemployment question. I think the drug test is costing us money and not really catching anyone. As far as incentives, I don't know if we can afford this anymore due to Foxxconn.
Yes a) Do you support adopting federal education standards in Wisconsin?
Yes b) Do you support state funding for charter schools?
Yes c) Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Wisconsin high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
I support public charter schools that are a part of of a district and have district oversight. I do not support private voucher schools. I think the Federal guidelines are a good standard, most of the time. But I think our schools in WI can work to exceed those standards with their own best practices.
Yes a) Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
Yes b) Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
Yes c) Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
These are all no brainers. We send billions out of state each year for coal. We need more energy independence here. I think it can start with residential and municipal initiatives and larger businesses can come on board over time. We have a serious problem with air quality in my district and along Lake Michigan. We need to start finding solutions instead of changing regulations. And clean water should be a number one issue for any legislator, any where.
Yes a) Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
Yes b) Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
No c) Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
Yes d) Should a license be required for gun ownership?
I think these are all simple solutions. I would also like to share information with other states about violent felons that should not have weapons. I think we need to look at the caliber of weapons and clip sizes. And I would hope that WI, along with other states, can work to end online sales of guns. As a hunter, I have concerns that if we do nothing, that the hunting tradition will be affected as "fear" of guns in the home grows.
Yes a) Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
Yes b) Do you support Medicaid expansion through Wisconsin's health care programs?
Yes c) Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
Yes d) Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
No e) Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
All tough questions, and hard to answer in 100 words. But we need healthcare for all, and not junk insurance plans that will cover you if you get in an accident, but you will go bankrupt if you get seriously ill. I think we need more in-patient treatment facilities around the state. They should address drug abuse, but also depression and mental health. I will also support funding for more psychologists in schools. The religious exemption is tough, and I understand the passion on this. I am just telling you how I would vote.
Yes a) Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Wisconsin's anti-discrimination laws?
Yes b) Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Wisconsin's anti-discrimination laws?
Yes c) Do you support greater efforts by Wisconsin state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
I cannot believe that WI repealed the Equal Pay Act. That just seems so unlike our state. We know that in most families both parents have to work. Not ensuring equal pay for women hurts families. Not recognizing sexual and gender inequality hurts families.
1. Cap the voucher program, and restore revenue limits for public school funding. 2. Restore local control to municipalities (no cost) 3 Restore science, research and permitting staff in our DNR and manage our natural resources with science and a long-term vision. 4. Comprehensive statewide groundwater legislation. We will look at our tax code, revise the WI Econ Development Corp, and expand small business start up opportunities to increase revenue and stop poor govt giveaways of our money.

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