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Beth Harwell's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
Additional Information: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position, from their answers or Vote Smart's research.
Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.
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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2022.

  • "If #SCOTUS's decision to overturn Roe is confirmed and the responsibility is rightfully left up to the states, #TN is ready to defend the lives of all unborn children and the life of the mother thanks to the constitutional amendment we passed under my leadership as Speaker the Human Life Protection Act." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by Tennessee Right to Life (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HB 2251 "Prohibits State Funding for Abortions" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HB 2381 "Authorizes 'Monument to the Unborn'" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "As Speaker of the TN House, I led the fight to put taxpayers first, cutting more taxes in 8 years than ever before in our state’s history. Washington could learn from the way we do things here in TN and that is why I am proud to have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. #tn5" (twitter.com)
  • "I'm in this race because TN is my home. I fought for our needs in the State House: cut a record number of taxes, balanced our budget, & ensured parents had a voice in their child’s education. In Congress, I will bring TN common sense to Washington. #tn05" (twitter.com)
  • "Under her leadership, Tennessee cut more taxes in her eight-year tenure than any other time in Tennessee history including the eliminating the Hall Income Tax, repealing the Death Tax, and reducing the state sales tax on food." (bethharwell.com)
  • "With tax season coming up, I’m glad I fought for our TN seniors by eliminating the Hall Income Tax that forced them to pay more taxes on their lifetime earnings. Now, they don’t have to move to Florida to avoid paying more and can have the funds they earned for retirement." (twitter.com)
  • "There is no such thing as free money coming from the federal government to expand Medicaid. We need to let the free market dictate the cost of healthcare, at least partially, through vehicles like health savings accounts. #heathcare #healthcarepolicy #PromisesMadePromisesKept" (twitter.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "We must fully fund our law enforcement & get them the resources they need to crack down on the rapidly rising crime. #tn5" (twitter.com)
  • "What an honor to speak to the Nashville Fraternal Order of Police tonight. In a time when there are talks of defunding police, I can think of nothing worse than that. It is always important to hear from the policemen and women of TN, and thank them for their service. #TN05 #TN5" (twitter.com)
  • "At a time when our nation needs a stronger national security than ever before, Democrats in Washington are looking to cut military funding to make up for their spending mishaps. Here in Tennessee, we operate under a balanced budget and never risk our citizen’s security over anything. Period." (www.facebook.com)
  • "#inflation is eating up more and more of our paychecks. It's harder to buy a home. It's harder to buy gas. We need to stop the insane spending on pet projects and anti-taxpayer economic policies and put the real needs of the American people first. #TN5" (twitter.com)
  • Tennessean: Democrats claim their $1.8 trillion “Build Back Better” bill has “zero costs” although any thinking Tennessean knows that this claim is not only false but outright silly on its face. One of the costs of all this Democratic reckless spending is sharply higher inflation. The Labor Department recently reported consumer prices have risen more than 6% from October 2020 to October 2021 – a 30-year high." (www.tennessean.com)
  • "This kind of flexibility is what states need with Federal programs. Thank you President Trump for listening and taking action to revitalize our #rural communities and empower them to fully participate in economic prosperity. @realDonaldTrump" (twitter.com)
  • "As Speaker of the TN House, I led the fight to put taxpayers first, cutting more taxes in 8 years than ever before in our state’s history. Washington could learn from the way we do things here in TN and that is why I am proud to have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. #tn5" (twitter.com)
  • "#Inflation is up a whopping 8.5%, up 1.2% from just this Feb. alone! Our small businesses shouldn’t pay for the @WhiteHouse’s poor spending decisions and the rubber stamp they’re getting from Congress. DC needs to live within its means and cut taxes, and I will show them how #tn5" (twitter.com)
  • "Some talk, others take action. I led the fight to slash taxes and cut government red tape to make TN one of the lowest taxed states in the nation and #1 for small business growth. Now we hold the title of the most conservative legislature in the country two years in a row!" (www.facebook.com)
  • "Under her leadership, Tennessee cut more taxes in her eight-year tenure than any other time in Tennessee history including the eliminating the Hall Income Tax, repealing the Death Tax, and reducing the state sales tax on food." (bethharwell.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Beth has impacted Tennessee’s education system in numerous ways, always maintaining a legislative focus on innovative education policy. In 2009, she passed landmark education reform legislation by putting school choice first so that families all over the state could make the best decisions for the child’s education. In addition, she pushed passage of legislation to direct additional funds for improvement of training for daycare workers." (bethharwell.com)
  • "If we closed the US Department of Education and were able to use that savings in Tennessee, we could raise teacher salaries and fill the supply closet of every classroom! Don’t let DC inefficiency come to this state. #education #priorities #PromisesMadePromisesKept" (twitter.com)
  • "We need school choice nationwide. I fought for charter schools in TN so our kids could have an innovative, high-quality education from teachers who have the autonomy to create a classroom that fits their students’ needs. Education should be pro-child, not pro-union. #TN5" (twitter.com)
  • "America shouldn't have to worry about Putin turning off his oil & gas spigots. We need to rely on ourselves to keep the heat on in our homes & gas in our cars, not the 709k gal of imported Russian oil & petroleum we pay for every day. @JoeBiden reopen the Keystone Pipeline. #tn05" (twitter.com)
  • "It’s time that America became energy independent. It’s time to bring back domestic drilling. #tn5" (twitter.com)
  • "I come from a family of avid hunters and I have been a carry permit holder for over 8 years. I know the importance and value of our 2nd Amendment rights. No one will infringe on those rights when I’m governor" (www.facebook.com)
  • "Every school should have an armed officer! The state has already set aside funds to help rural schools pay for it. Every child in @Tennessee deserves a safe learning environment! @TNHouseReps #PromisesMadePromisesKept" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HB 688 "Authorizes Carry of Firearms on Boats" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Folks, don't let Congress forget that we expect Obamacare to be repealed. Share this post to let them know you have not forgotten and that Tennesseans are still suffering from its disastrous effects." (www.facebook.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Drugs & crime are pouring over our southern border as a result of the Biden Admin’s failed border policies. Open borders don’t work. For the safety of our border patrol agents & families, Congress must prioritize finishing Trump’s Wall & funding our law enforcement officers. #tn5" (twitter.com)
  • "It’s a been a pleasure working with you outlawing sanctuary cities, @GlenCasada!" (twitter.com)
  • "Other candidates have made pledges regarding illegal immigration. I’ve already kept my promise by passing legislation which outlawed sanctuary cities in Tennessee." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HB 2315 "Prohibits Sanctuary Policies" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning abortion.

a) Abortions should always be illegal.
b) Abortions should always be legally available.
c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
X d) Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
X e) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
X f) Eliminate public funding for abortions and public funding of organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
g) Other or expanded principles

State Budget: Indicate the funding levels you will support for the following general categories.State Taxes: Indicate the tax levels you will support.State Budget Reform: Indicate which principles you support (if any) to address state budget reform.

Greatly Increase Funding a) Education (Higher)
Slightly Increase Funding b) Education (K-12)
Slightly Increase Funding c) Environment
Slightly Increase Funding d) Health care
Maintain Funding Status e) Law enforcement
Slightly Decrease Funding f) Transportation and Highway infrastructure
Maintain Funding Status g) Welfare
h) Other or expanded categories
Greatly Increase a) Alcohol taxes
Maintain Status b) Capital gains taxes
Greatly Increase c) Cigarette taxes
Maintain Status d) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status e) Gasoline taxes
Maintain Status f) Inheritance taxes
Slightly Decrease g) Sales taxes
Maintain Status h) Vehicle taxes
i) Other or expanded categories
Yes j) Should Internet sales be taxed?
k) Other or expanded principles
a) Implement a flat tax on income.
b) Implement a graduated income tax.
c) Implement a state lottery to help fund education.
d) Use a portion of the state's "rainy day" fund to help balance the budget.
e) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and government reform.c) Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative and gubernatorial candidates?

Yes a) Do you support the current limit of two, four-year terms for Tennessee governors?
Undecided b) Do you support limiting the number of terms for Tennessee state senators and representatives?
Yes 1) Individual
Yes 2) PAC
Yes 3) Corporate
Yes 4) Political Parties
Yes d) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
Undecided e) Do you support partial funding from state taxes for state level political campaigns?
Undecided f) Do you support voting on-line?
Yes g) Do you support adopting statewide standards for counting, verifying and ensuring accuracy of votes?
Yes h) Do you support prohibiting the reporting of media exit polling results until all polling locations in Tennessee are closed?
No i) Should Tennessee recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
Yes j) Should Tennessee restrict marriage to a union only between a man and a woman?
k) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) to address crime.

a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
X b) Support contracting with private sector firms to build and/or manage state prisons.
X c) Support the use of the death penalty in Tennessee.
X d) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
X e) End parole for repeat violent offenders.
X f) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
g) Decriminalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
h) Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
i) Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
j) Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation or disability be prosecuted as hate crimes.
k) Ban the use of racial profiling by law enforcement officers.
l) Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
X m) Increase state funding for additional security of critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks.
n) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.

a) Support national standards and testing of public school students.
b) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any participating school (public, private, religious).
X c) Support charter schools in Tennessee.
d) Increase state funds for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
X e) Increase state funds for hiring additional teachers.
f) Support teacher testing and reward teachers with merit pay.
X g) Support displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools.
X h) Endorse teacher-led voluntary prayer in public schools.
X i) Require public schools to administer high school exit exams.
X j) Provide public funding to implement a statewide reading program.
k) Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
l) Increase state funding to expand Head Start programs.
X m) Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.
n) Support age-appropriate sexual education programs that teach about abstinence, contraceptives and HIV/STD prevention methods.
o) Support abstinence-only sexual education programs.
p) Other or expanded principles

Employment: Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning employment.Affirmative Action: Should race, ethnicity or gender be taken into account in state agencies' decisions on:

X a) Increase funding for state job-training programs that re-train displaced workers or teach skills needed in today's job market.
X b) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector to encourage investment and economic expansion.
X c) Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding or relocating businesses.
X d) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for their employees.
e) Increase state funds to provide child care for children of low-income working families.
f) Include sexual orientation in Tennessee's anti-discrimination laws.
g) Other or expanded principles
No a) College and university admissions
No b) Public employment
No c) State contracting
d) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.

X a) Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology.
X b) Use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated, unused or abandoned.
Yes c) Do you support state funding for open space preservation?
Undecided d) Should state environmental regulations be stricter than federal law?
e) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues.

a) Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting.
b) Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
c) Ease state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
d) Repeal state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
X e) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
f) Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns.
g) Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows.
h) Require a license for gun possession.
i) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health issues.

a) Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms or state-funded care where necessary.
X b) Transfer more existing Medicaid recipients into managed care programs.
c) Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
X d) Support patients' right to sue their HMOs.
X e) Support patients' right to appeal to an administrative board of specialists when services are denied by their HMO.
f) Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
g) Legalize physician-assisted suicide in Tennessee.
X h) Increase state funding for training health workers to recognize and respond to the release of biological agents.
X i) Support tighteneing eligibility requirements for TennCare.
X j) Support requiring co-payments on prescription drugs for some TennCare recipients.
k) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding welfare.

X a) Support current time limits on welfare benefits.
X b) Increase employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
X c) Provide tax incentives to businesses that hire welfare recipients.
X d) Provide child care for welfare recipients who work.
X e) Increase access to public transportation for welfare recipients who work.
f) Eliminate government-funded welfare programs.
X g) Redirect welfare funding to faith-based and community-based private organizations.
h) Use federal TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) funds to expand state services to include the working poor.
i) Other or expanded principles
1.) Education hs been a "number one" priority of mine during my legislative tenure. I am pleased that we have made progress towards providing new and better opportunities for Tennessee children. 2.) Secondly, we must continue to address TennCare reform. We must be aggressive in holding down health care costs... 3) Finally, I would like to see us build partnerships with ... business communities to bring new and better paying jobs to Tennessee.

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