Editor’s note: these are the candidate’s responses to questions provided by RIPR. The views expressed are the candidate’s alone, edited only in cases of inappropriate or libelous language. No changes have been made to correct errors of fact, spelling or grammar. 

Do you support trucking tolls for tractor trailers on Rhode Island highways?

No, I do not support the truck tolls.   I believe it is bad for business, the business climate and the increased costs will be passed on to the ultimate end user of the products, i.e. the consumer, making products more expensive for Rhode Islanders. Virtually everything in our stores is transported in big rigs, whether its gas, Cumberland Farms, Job Lot etc and the tolls are just another example of our legislators ignoring the taxpayers and consumers and gouging our pockets. Additionally, it is another expense added to doing business in R.I.

Would you support a state-mandated health insurance program?

No.  The federal government already mandates health insurance and for those people who cannot afford health insurance or choose not to enroll, it is another government tax on those individuals.

Are you in favor of expanding protections against sexual harassment to include domestic workers (such as nannies) and volunteers (such as interns)?

Yes, actually the most expedient or simple fix would be to amend R.I.G.L. 28-51-1(a) to read as follows:  As used in this chapter, “Employer” means any entity  or person employing one or more persons” as opposed to “employing fifty (50) or more employees.”

Any person should be free from unwanted sexual advances or other harassment in the workplace.

If given the opportunity, would you codify the right to have an abortion in state law?

The Supreme Court has, as is evident under Roe v Wade, and its progeny, legitimized the right of a woman to have an abortion.  I would not support any legislation that would attempt to overturn that decision and would support legislation that is consistent with Roe v Wade.

Is the state doing enough to help people who have been left behind by the economy? If not, what additional steps should be taken?

No, it is not.  I believe that the way to help those who are in need is to make the state more business friendly, to attempt to improve the economy in order to give people a hand up, but not necessarily a hand out.  There are certainly programs such as welfare that are theoretically designed to help people but in effect it stifles their ability or desire to not be dependent on the government.  I believe that there should be job training and an increase in vocational training in schools so that people can learn a trade.  The ever increasing taxes imposed by our legislature are stifling.  We need to lower taxes and allow those in need the ability to improve their chances of obtaining employment through training, giving them the opportunity and perhaps the ability to purchase homes.  If we can improve training in the trades and the economy in general, we will reduce those left behind by the economy and be able to focus on those truly in need.

Does primary education need to be improved statewide? If so, how?

Yes.  First of all, the Common Core has taken away the educator’s ability to teach the students what they need to learn to achieve. We should take education out of the hands of the legislators and return it back to the hands of the teachers.  Also, college is not necessarily for everyone which is why I favor returning vocational classes to the schools.

A well rounded education is the key to success, and teachers are most able to provide it (after all, isn’t that why they become educators and are trained to do?).

Do you support RI’s designation as a sanctuary state? Why or why not?

No, I do not.  First of all, the states do not have the authority to dictate federal law.  Immigration, although it effects everyone, is regulated by federal law.

As Justice Kennedy wrote in Arizona v United States (2012): The Government of the United States has broad, undoubted power over the subject of immigration and the status of aliens… This authority rests, in part, on the National Government’s constitutional power to “establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization,” U.S. Const., Art I, sec. 8, cl. 4, and its inherent power as sovereign to control and conduct relations with foreign nations…

While I am in favor of reforming immigration law, that is the job for the federal government.