Michele Joyce's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)
Key
Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
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Michele Joyce has provided voters with clear stances on key issues by responding to the 2019 Political Courage Test.
Virginia State Legislative Election 2019 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 believe abortion is a medical procedure and should be treated as such. Health care is a human right and inclusive of access to affordable reproductive health services and abortion. As a scientist, I will push back against politicians who tout small-government policies while simultaneously regulating women's bodies. | |||
Budget Stabilization:Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing Virginia's budget.
| Yes | a) Do you support a state regulated and taxed sports gambling system? | ||
| No | b) Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions? | ||
| No | c) Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees? | ||
| Yes | d) An income tax increase on any tax bracket? | ||
| e) Other or expanded principles: | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support a limit 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? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support automatic voter registration? | ||
| f) Other or expanded principles: | |||
| No | a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes? | ||
| No | b) Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult? | ||
| No | c) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support banning the use of cell phones and other handheld communication devices while driving? | ||
| f) Other or expanded principles: | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth? | ||
| No | b) Do you support lowering state income taxes as a means of promoting economic growth? | ||
| No | c) Do you support reducing government regulations on the private sector? | ||
| Yes | 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 Virginia? | ||
| Yes | g) Do you support requiring employers to provide paid family leave? | ||
| h) Other or expanded principles: | |||
| No | a) Do you support adopting federal education standards in Virginia? | ||
| No | b) Do you support state funding for charter schools? | ||
| Yes | c) Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Virginia high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities? | ||
| d) Other or expanded principles: | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives? | ||
| There is no doubt climate change is real, manmade and is an existential threat to our planet. As a scientist you can count on me to bring an evidence-based approach to decision making on all policies but especially those relating to climate change and other environmental concerns. | |||
| 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 am a proud, responsible gun owner who understands the importance of sensible gun safety measures like background checks to help keep our communities safe while continuing to uphold the Second Amendment. I also agree with the majority of educators and administrators that the answer to our gun problem is not to put additional guns in our schools. | |||
| Yes | a) Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support Medicaid expansion through Virginia'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? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations? | ||
| I do not generally support eliminating anyone's rights so the question re: religious exemptions is a difficult one. However, as a scientist, I understand it is critically important for all children to be vaccinated. I do not believe children who have not been properly vaccinated should be allowed to attend public schools. | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Virginia's anti-discrimination laws? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Virginia's anti-discrimination laws? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support greater efforts by Virginia state government in closing the pay gap between men and women? | ||
| It is wrong that Virginia still allows employers to fire someone based solely on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Discrimination is not part of our identity in the Commonwealth; I will work tirelessly to fight discrimination against our LGBTQ neighbors. I believe it is long past time for equal rights to be recognized in the Constitution. Virginia has the opportunity to ratify the ERA, making equality a part of our Constitution, which is why it is critical we flip the State House. | |||
| Advocating for farmers (and small-business owners) will be a top priority. By starting with tax breaks, we can create greater opportunities for farmers within Virginia agribusiness and even position some to become part of corporate supply chains. Fighting for rural communities to have access to broadband internet is another central priority because a lack of access puts rural communities at a disadvantage. Additionally, I will work to identify creative solutions to solve food deserts. We must focus on economic expansion and farm-to-table programs that directly connect our farmers with consumers. | |||
| My first initiative would surround measures to bring down prescription drug costs. I would have the state set prices by negotiating with suppliers and pharmaceutical companies. In doing so consumers would be able to use the pharmacies of their choice and prices would be fair and stable. This not only helps the consumers but the small pharmacies that are struggling to remain in business. It's a win-win! |
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