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James Talarico's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for U.S. Senate (TX) - Sr

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What is the Political Courage Test?
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.

Texas State Legislative Election 2020 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 for organizations that perform abortions?
Reproductive justice, healthcare access, and gender equity are all top priorities of mine because they?re foundational issues. A person?s decision to have an abortion should be left up to them in consultation with their doctor. Addressing our state?s maternal mortality rate requires long-term investments in available, affordable, and judgment-free preventative care for all people. I trust Texans to make their own healthcare decisions. While I will never compromise on the constitutional rights of Texans, I will continue to work to find common ground with Republican lawmakers to reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies through scientifically-valid sex education and accessible contraception.
No a) In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
b) In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
No c) In order to reduce property taxes, do you support increasing state sales taxes?
For too long, the Legislature has slashed funding for healthcare, education, and other necessary programs in favor of massive tax incentives for corporations. I?ll support holding our government accountable and working towards a budget that does not pay for the pandemic off the backs of our children or working-class Texans, but one that increases the state minimum wage and ensures equal pay for equal work for all Texans. We can rebuild the Texas economy by providing well paying, safe jobs for Texans who need them.
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?
No f) Do you support partisan elections for judges?
Our right to vote is sacred. I support online voter registration, expanded early voting periods, and a repeal of voter ID laws that needlessly make voting harder. Voting is foundational to our democracy and I will support any effort to protect and expand the franchise for Texans. During the 87th legislative session, the Texas Legislature will be responsible for redrawing district boundaries. I commit to supporting equitable and fair district lines that allow for equal electoral representation for all Texans. Gerrymandered districts that prioritize one political party or racial identity over others have no place in our state.
No a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
No b) Should an individual under 18 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?
No d) Do you support the use of private prisons in Texas?
No e) Do you support mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders?
No f) Should law enforcement officers be allowed to arrest individuals for fine-only misdemeanors?
We must reform our criminal justice system to center rehabilitation and restoration. Some good first steps would be legalizing marijuana, reforming bail bonds, and divesting from privately-owned prisons. Further, as a former teacher, I know how important it is to support policies that disrupt the school to prison pipeline. That?s why I authored and supported legislation to decrease the use of incarceration and civil penalties, as well as increase rehabilitation and restorative justice programs. When the Texas Legislature is back in session I will continue to support criminal justice reform that prioritizes rehabilitation and restoration.
Yes a) Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
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?
No d) Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
Yes e) Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Texas?
Yes f) Do you support requiring employers to provide paid family leave?
Yes g) Do you support providing financial relief to businesses AND/OR corporations negatively impacted by the state of national emergency for COVID-19?
h) Other or expanded principles:
a) Do you support adopting federal education standards in Texas?
b) Do you support state funding for charter schools?
Yes c) Do you support increasing teacher salaries AND/OR benefits in Texas?
Yes d) Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Texas high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
As a former teacher, I?m deeply committed to ensuring educational equity for our kids and educators. Particularly now we will need to protect the commitment we made to our schools and educators for additional funding and support through HB 3, the first major overhaul in our state?s school finance system since before I was in Kindergarten. While HB 3 was a big step towards quality school finance reform, the work is not done. I?m committed to doing all I can to continue improving our education system for ALL students and teachers.
Yes a) Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, geo-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?
d) Other or expanded principles:
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 after passing gun safety training?
Yes d) Should a license be required for gun ownership?
I respect the second amendment rights of our constituents and believe that Texas should lead the way in promoting safe firearm regulations. The uptick of violence ? from deadly domestic abuse to suicide and school shootings ? our state and nation have experienced is simply due to the fact it is too easy for the wrong people to gain access to guns. Texans agree we need to make our communities safer through common-sense gun safety measures and greater mental health resources. This means ensuring universal background checks and restricting gun purchases for people convicted of felonies or violent misdemeanors.
Yes a) Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
Yes b) Do you support Medicaid expansion through Texas' 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?
Yes f) Do you support requiring businesses to provide paid medical leave during public health crises, such as COVID-19?
Healthcare should be affordable for every Texan. The best way to reduce our state?s high uninsured rate is by expanding Medicaid, but the Texas Legislature refuses to accept billions of our own federal tax dollars available to expand health coverage. That?s putting politics over people. Last session, I supported an amendment that would have expanded Medicaid in our state. Though this amendment did not pass, I will continue to work for expanded access to affordable healthcare for Texans. Additionally, we need to vastly expand preventative care, meaning ensuring yearly check-ups and basic health needs are affordable even for poorer communities.
Yes a) Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Texas' anti-discrimination laws?
Yes b) Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Texas' anti-discrimination laws?
Yes c) Do you support greater efforts by Texas state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
Yes d) Do you support expanding anti-discrimination laws to include hair textures and protective hairstyles?
No e) Should state-licensed professionals be able to deny services based on their religious beliefs?
I will support the dignity and civil rights of everyone in Williamson County, including people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, undocumented Texans, and Muslim Americans. I work every day to be an ally to underrepresented groups in the Texas Legislature and commit to always growing and learning how to better represent the many communities that I serve. I will firmly oppose any attempts by the Legislature to discriminate against Texans, whether it?s regulating bathrooms or restricting civil protections in the workplace.
In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, any additional priorities of your campaign that have not been covered in these questions.
In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top legislative priority and how you plan to fund it.

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