Tom Bartole's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)
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Tom Bartole has provided voters with clear stances on key issues by responding to the 2024 Political Courage Test.
Arkansas State Legislative Election 2024 Political Courage Test
| Pro-choice | a) Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support legalizing abortion when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape? | ||
| No | c) Do you support the prohibition of public funds (e.g. Medicaid) for organizations that perform abortions? | ||
| a. I support pro-choice legislation. The choice should be in the hands of the woman, her family, her medical providers and spiritual support, not in the hands of the legislature or government. I believe in establishing a national abortion law at a reasonable number of weeks, at which no state can create a law that reduces a woman's ability to make that decision. All American women should have the right to the same basic abortion access. b. I believe access to safe reproductive healthcare should always be available in the case of rape and incest. The physical and mental trauma from the initial act should not be further worsened by forcing the victim to carry to term. c. No I do not. Abortion care is healthcare, especially when it is for medical or viability reasons. | |||
| No | a) In order to balance the budget, do you support limiting state government spending on social programs (e.g. SNAP, TANF)? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support a decrease in income taxes in order to promote economic growth? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support a wealth tax in order to pay for public programs in your state? | ||
| a. I do not agree that limiting social programs is the right way to balance a state budget, when there are other avenues that will not effect the most vulnerable among us. b. I feel the most equitable way to promote economic growth and put more money in the hands of the average Arkansan/American is to factor income tax decreases by income level, with the greater percentages of decreased tax going to lower tax brackets. Additionally I feel that a reduction in sales taxes, especially on food and essentials, will further benefit middle and working class citizens. | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support capital punishment for violent crimes? | ||
| Yes | b) Should an individual under 18 accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police? | ||
| No | d) Do you support the use of private prisons? | ||
| No | e) Do you support mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenders? | ||
| a. A simple answer is Yes. Violent crimes deserve swift and appropriate punishment. In the case of violent crimes resulting in loss of life capital punishment should be an option for the public good. However, this should be done in a manner that minimizes the time and cost of completing the sentence. b. Yes, a violent crime committed by a minor that is of a particularly violent nature resulting in death or harm should be considered as an adult in charging and sentencing. However, I do believe in the opportunity for rehabilitation within limitations of the crime committed. c. Yes, state and local police should be enforcing immigration laws as they are written, not as some would like to see them enforced. d. NO, for profit/private prisons are just an invitation for abuse and fraud, as has been shown in multiple states. When a profit motive is put into play it opens the doors for fraud and unethical practices. e. NO, I see this as just a pipeline to prison. Non-violent drug offenses should be looked at on case by case basis with circumstances taken into effect. I believe that drug charges without exigent circumstances (fire-arm, intent to sell, and size of possession) should be looked at differently with an emphasis on rehabilitation. | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth (e.g. grants, tax incentives)? | ||
| No | b) Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector (e.g. for business or the environment)? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Arkansas? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support government spending on affordable housing projects in Arkansas? | ||
| a. Yes, economic growth benefits the entire state. If funds are available to promote growth of small businesses through grants and tax incentives, the funds should be used. However, I feel this should be limited to small and medium size businesses that need the help, and will give back to the local and state economies. Large corporations and businesses have shown that they do not readily reinvest into the local communities. b. No I do not feel that reducing regulations as a whole is appropriate. I do agree that there may be some instances that reducing regulations may have some limited benefit. However, I oppose changing environmental regulations to benefit businesses and industry at the expense of environmental protections. c. Yes, i support increasing minimum wage. I believe in a living wage model. I would support programs that incentivize or subsidize business to provide a living wage to employees. d. Affordable housing is a right of all Arkansans. State government should find ways to support affordable housing as a means of improving quality of life, reducing food insecurity and overall health and well being. When citizens have more money available through decreased/manageable housing cost, more money is available for living expenses. This is where the government can utilize wage increases, affordable housing, sensible tax reform (benefitting the middle and working classes), and prescription drug cost management, to support the financial helath of Arkansas citizens. | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support adopting federal education standards (e.g. Common Core) in Arkansas? | ||
| No | b) Do you support state funding for charter schools? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support increasing teacher salaries AND/OR benefits in Arkansas? | ||
| Yes | d) Should immigrants in the United States who graduate from Arkansas high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities, regardless of immigration status? | ||
| Yes | e) Should Arkansas allow proceeds from the state lottery to fund scholarships and grants for vocational-technical schools and technical institutes? | ||
| Yes | f) Should Arkansas require any school that receives public funds to follow the same standards that public schools are required to follow? | ||
| a. Yes I support federal education standards as a way of ensuring that all school children have access to that same education. I however, do not feel Common Core is the answer. I additionally feel that Private Schools should also be held to educational standards, again to ensure that all children receive the same basic education. b. Public charters that are utilized as an extension/option for local school districts should be eligible for state funding as long as they follow the same requirements as the public schools. However, private charters, charter organizations should not receive state funding unless, again, they follow the state and district requirements and educational standards. c. Yes, I support increasing salaries and benefits in Arkansas, but it needs to be done correctly and fairly. Under the provisions of LEARNS starting salary increases were a great thing, however the raises neglected seasoned teachers. A fair and equitable system needs to be in place. This system needs to award education and years of experience to promote teacher retention. d. Yes, if they live in the state and the family contributes to the economy as a resident there is no reason that the children should be denied in state tuition. e. Without a doubt Vocational-technical schools and institutes should be eligible for lottery scholarships. This should also be in the full amount, equal to that of the colleges and universities. f. As previously stated, Yes, any school that receives public funds should be held to exactly the same standards. This includes services offered, free and reduced lunches, transportation, special needs services. Private school is a choice made by the parents/family and is a financial choice made. Sure programs are in place to provide scholarships to these schools. | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, geo-thermal)? | ||
| No | b) Do you support state governments allowing permits for drilling on public lands? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives? | ||
| a. Yes I support state funding for renewable energy development. Renewable energy is a great low cost option for power generation. The state should be investing in development of these generation options. Additionally the state government should be providing incentives to businesses and individuals to utilize these options. However, our current legislature has passed legislation that reduces the incentives for solar. b. I do not support drilling on public land without a very intensive set of criteria for approving such drilling. c. Clean and safe drinking water is a right of all citizens, and is without a doubt the responsibility of the state government. Any funding needed should be provided above and beyond any infrastructure money received. | |||
| Yes | a)Do you support limiting campaign contributions from corporations, unions, and individuals? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support the use of an independent or bipartisan commission for redistricting? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support automatic voter registration? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support the implementation of ranked choice voting in Arkansas? | ||
| a. Campaign finance reform is vital for protecting elections in our democracy. Unfair practices and the roles of PACs and SuperPACs make political change difficult as generally incumbents enjoy the benefits. b. Yes I support non-partisan commissions to review and suggest redistricting. The current practice of parties in control of state government making and enforcing district borders only works to disenfranchise voters in minority groups and social classes. c. I support the use of some form of ID for voting, but that has to be reasonable. The expectation of some groups of citizens to be able to obtain the types of IDs that some are requiring is a form of voter suppression in itself. d. Yes automatic voter registration should be attached to DMV license registration. All citizens should be given the option to register when applying for and renewing drivers licenses. I additionally feel that Arkansas students should be allowed to register at 16 to be able to vote in local/school board elections and gain voting experience early. Often these kids, depending on when they turn 18, don't have the ability vote in Presidential elections until the age of 22. e. Ranked choice voting is an interesting prospect. I feel that in primaries and local/state elections this would be possible. I believe this would help increase turnout and engagement, as voters would feel their vote may carry more weight. | |||
| Yes | a) Do you generally support gun-control legislation (e.g. red flag laws, closing the boyfriend loophole)? | ||
| Yes | b) Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support the right to concealed carry in Arkansas? | ||
| a. Yes I support commonsense gun control legislation that increases public safety and identifies at risk individuals while not unduly infringing upon gun rights. I feel that the minor inconveniences of increased background checks, enforcing red-flag laws, and extended waiting periods are not an infringement on the right to purchase a firearm. I se no reason why a responsible gun owner would find issue with this if it improves safety and enhances the publics view of gun ownership. b. I believe background checks should be required on all gun transfers including those within families and as gifts. I believe that the best way to accomplish this is to hold the owner of record responsible for the firearm until they can prove the disposition of it. This could include bill of sale/transfer to be filed with the background check, and until said proof of transfer the original owner retains responsibility. Much like selling a car in Arkansas, that vehicle remains on your tax assessment until you provide proof that you no longer possess it. c. I support concealed carry in Arkansas only with a permit, that is awarded only with demonstration of safety knowledge and operator testing. I support concealed carry only in limited environments to exclude schools, churches, bars, large public gatherings and public buildings and spaces. | |||
| Yes | a) Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support a government-run (e.g. single-payer) healthcare program such as Medicare-for-All? | ||
| Yes | c) Should an individual have the right to choose to die (e.g. those with a terminal illness) through euthanasia? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support mandating vaccinations (e.g. for school or employment)? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support expanding paid family AND/OR medical leave benefits (e.g. maternity leave)? | ||
| Yes | f) Should the government be able to regulate the cost of prescription drugs? | ||
| a. treatment along with incarceration (when warranted) is the only way to effectively combat opioid abuse. b. I support a Medicare for all type system that provides all Americans with the same basic medical coverage. I also support an individuals right to purchase additional coverage above the basic coverage. c. In a coordinated effort between patient, family, and medical providers, I do believe in a person's right to choose death if all reasonable options have been explored. d. I support mandating vaccinations when there is a global or community risk. Though I feel individuals should have the right to abstain only if there is no risk to the public. e. i do believe that leave benefits for maternity/paternity as well as medical leave need to be expanded to more equitably serve the community as a whole f. Yes the government should be able to monitor and regulate prescription drug prices as a method to alleviate financial burdens and improve overall health status of Arkansans/Americans. Missing vital medications only burdens the healthcare system more, not to mention high prescription prices require low/fixed income individuals to choose between medications and food/rent/utilities. The government needs to ensure fair pricing and prevent price gouging. | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support inclusion of sexual orientation in Arkansas' anti-discrimination laws? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Arkansas' anti-discrimination laws? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support greater efforts by Arkansas' state government in closing gender, racial, and other wage gaps? | ||
| Of course sexual orientation and gender identity need to be included in anti-discrimination laws. As long as individuals are discriminated against based on who they love, how they dress, or how they want to be addressed then they need the protection of these laws. Arkansas certainly lacks in the areas of wage gaps and I would wholly support and push any legislation the would effectively address and reduce the wage gaps. | |||
| My top three priorities, if elected, will be to protect public education in Arkansas, protect the rights of all Arkansans, and ensure transparency and financial responsibility of the government and legislature. I feel that the LEARNS Act is dangerous for Public Schools and public money should stay in the system. The voucher system put in place only works to subsidize private schools and their predominantly wealthy students. Funneling of dollars from public schools can and will lead to decreased services offered and potential closing of smaller/poorer schools districts. Emphasis should be put on fostering public education through effective programming not thru dismantling public schools. I will work to achieve this through the introduction of reforms and practices that will require private schools accepting public dollars to follow the same quidelines and requirements as the public schools. Additionally I will look to fund programs and services that will enhance education for all Arkansas students, to include special needs funding and early intervention (pre-k 3yo). Funding sources to include the current public school budget, what remains of the budget surplus (after this administration has depleted much of it on tax cuts, LEARNS and an increase in the Governors security detail) as well as the closing tax loopholes and re-imagining the tax cuts corporations and the wealthy currently enjoy here in Arkansas. I will work to protect the rights of all Arkansans regardless of color/sex/orientation/age, this will include voting rights, access to healthcare (women's healthcare, gender affirming care), and the right to direct democracy in Arkansas. I will work to restore the FOIA protections and access to its previous status. No government official should ever be able to suppress the people's rights to government transparency. This includes (here in Arkansas) shielding the Governor's office, and schools accepting education vouchers and how they are using those funds. I will work for all the people of Arkansas, not just those who support me or the party. I will be the voice of all of my constituents and represent them by knowing what they need/want and informing them of what is happening at the Capitol. That is what a representative is supposed to do. |
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