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Declan O'Scanlon, Jr.'s Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Declan O'Scanlon, Jr. did not provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2023 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

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.

New Jersey State Legislative Election 2015 Political Courage Test

Pro-life a) Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
No b) Should abortions be illegal after the first trimester of pregnancy?
Yes c) Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
Yes d) Should abortion be legal when the life of the woman is endangered?
e) Do you support requiring parental notification before an abortion is performed on a minor?
f) Do you support requiring parental consent before an abortion is performed on a minor?
Yes g) Do you support the prohibition of public funds for abortion procedures?
Yes h) Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
Regarding (g) & (f), I generally support notification and consent of parent, but I am also cognizant of situations where it may be unwise to notify parents and therefore not do so.

1) Budget Stabilization:Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing New Jersey's budget.2) State Spending:Using the key, indicate what state funding levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category; you may use a number more than once.3) State Taxes:Using the key, indicate what state tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category; you may use a number more than once.

a) Tapping into New Jersey's "rainy day" fund
No b) Decreasing funding for public universities
Yes c) Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions
Yes d) Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees
e) Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients
Maintain Status a) Education (higher)
Slightly Decrease b) Education (K-12)
Maintain Status c) Environment
Slightly Decrease d) Health care
Slightly Decrease e) Law enforcement/corrections
Maintain Status f) Transportation/infrastructure
Maintain Status g) Welfare
h) Other or expanded categories:
Maintain Status a) Alcohol taxes
Maintain Status b) Cigarette taxes
Maintain Status c) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status d) Small business taxes
Maintain Status e) Gas/Oil taxes
Maintain Status f) Property taxes
Maintain Status g) Sales taxes
Maintain Status h) Income taxes (low-income families)
Maintain Status i) Income taxes (mid-income families)
Maintain Status j) Income taxes (high-income families)
Regarding (a)- New Jersey does not have a rainy day fund. Regarding (e)- This question is extremely broad. There may be room for some targeted medicaid cuts.
Regarding (b), I am open to a potentially slight increase in the Cigarette Tax as long as it were used for a very specific purpose to benefit the public. Regarding (e), as per a very specific Transportation Trust Fund plan I may be open to considering an increase in Gas/Oil taxes.

a) Do you support limits on the following types of contributions for state candidates?

Yes 1) Individual
Yes 2) Political Action Committee
Yes 3) Corporate
Yes 4) Political Party
Yes b) Should candidates for state office be encouraged to meet voluntary spending limits?
Yes c) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
Yes d) Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
Yes e) Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
f) Other or expanded principles:
a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes b) Do you support an expansion of substance abuse treatment programs in New Jersey?
Yes c) Do you support legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana?
d) Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
Yes e) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
Regarding (a), only in extremely rare circumstances of heinous crimes and absolute DNA verification do I support the death penalty. Regarding (d), only under certain circumstances should a juvenile be charged as an adult and never subject to life sentences.
a) Do you support government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes b) Do you support lowering taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes c) Do you support reducing government regulations on the private sector?
Yes d) Do you support increased state funding for job-training programs that re-train displaced workers?
e) Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
f) Do you support providing financial incentives to the private sector for the purpose of job creation?
g) Do you support providing direct financial assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure?
No h) Do you support an increase of the minimum wage?
i) Should the state of New Jersey provide additional support for Atlantic City?
Regarding (a), overall minimization of government spending and taxing is the best way to foster economic growth. Regarding (e), in extenuating circumstances of long term elevated unemployment rates, I would support extending benefits. Regarding (f), I support overall minimization of tax rates to promote growth. In regards to (h), not above New Jersey's current minimum wage structure. In regards to (i), not within New Jersey's current tax structure.
a) Do you support the national Common Core State Standards initiative?
Yes b) Do you support a merit pay system for teachers?
Yes c) Is the tenure process for public school teachers producing effective teachers?
Yes d) Should parents be allowed to use vouchers to send their children to any school?
Yes e) Do you support state funding for charter schools?
Yes f) Do you support the state government providing college students with financial aid?
Yes g) Should illegal immigrants who graduate from New Jersey high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
In regards to (a), I support the Governor's current effort to revise the Common Core Standards.
a) Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
No b) Do you support state funding for the development of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil)?
Yes c) Do you support state funding for improvements to New Jersey's energy infrastructure?
Yes d) Do you support state funding for open space preservation?
e) Do you support government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
f) Do you support increased regulations of the hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") industry?
In regards to (a) If someone can tell me a proven technology that both increases energy efficiency and creates jobs, I would be open to the State providing seed money.
a) Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
b) Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
c) Should citizens be allowed to carry concealed guns?
d) Should a license be required for gun possession?
I support sound and reasonable gun laws. As it stands now, New Jersey has a series of complicated rules, restrictions, and requirements. We need an overall review of our gun laws, we need to keep those that make sense and eliminate or modify those that do not.
a) Do you support a universally-accessible, publicly-administered health insurance option?
Yes b) Do you support expanding access to health care through commercial health insurance reform?
Yes c) Do you support interstate health insurance compacts?
Yes d) Do you support Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
Yes e) Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
Yes f) Do you support monetary limits on damages that can be collected in malpractice lawsuits?
Yes g) Do you support allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes?
In regards to (a), there are potentially many versions of a universal system. I would need to see specifics before adopting a position.
Yes a) Do you support same-sex marriage?
Yes b) Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in New Jersey's anti-discrimination laws?
Yes c) Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in New Jersey's anti-discrimination laws?
In regards to (c), I completely respect an individual's gender identity, however, as per motor vehicle identification I also respect the need for National and State security.
My priorities are to bring long term stability and balance to the State budget, creating jobs, promoting growth, and stabilizing and ultimately reducing property tax.

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