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John Howe's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Key

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.

John Howe has refused to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2016 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

What is the Political Courage Test?

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 2016.

  • Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation? “Pro-life” (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (votesmart.org)
  • Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape? “Yes” (votesmart.org)
  • “A member of the Senate Taxes Committee, John understands that the problem with Minnesota's taxes is NOT that they are too low. In his first term, he helped block the Governor's proposed tax increases, and led the effort that eliminated Minnesota's $6.2 billion budget deficit without tax increases.” (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Do you support increased spending on infrastructure projects for the purpose of job creation? “Yes” (votesmart.org)
  • “I am driven by the principle of "Reducing Government's Footprint." Government has become too big and too intrusive in our lives. We need to limit the growth of government and restore values of liberty, freedom, and personal responsibility.” (votesmart.org)
  • Do you support the national Common Core State Standards initiative? “Yes” (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Do you support state funding for the development of alternative energy? “Yes” (votesmart.org)
  • Do you support enacting environmental regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change? “Yes” (votesmart.org)
  • “I believe we need to return power to the states. The Federal Agencies are too plentiful and too powerful. The Obama Administration has set a new high-water mark for federal control with measures like the EPA’s Clean Power Plan. The federal government is exercising newly expanded power in matters involving labor, global warming, education, energy, welfare, the environment, healthcare and more. We need to reverse course, honor the 10th Amendment and return power to the people.” (www.howeforcongress.com)
  • “The ACA (Obamacare) needs to be dramatically reformed or repealed.” (www.howeforcongress.com)
  • “We must solve the health care issue, I support increased competition rather a government take over of the system.” (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • “I support civil unions, domestic partnerships, and traditional marriages.” (votesmart.org)
  • Should marriage only be between one man and one woman? “Yes” (votesmart.org)
  • “We cannot wait for a terrorist act to strike US Bank Stadium or MOA – we must be pro-active to prevent something like this from ever happening.” (www.howeforcongress.com)
  • 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.
Pro-life a) Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Yes 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?
Yes e) Do you support requiring parental notification before an abortion is performed on a minor?
Yes 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?
Yes i) Do you support increased regulations on abortion providers?
Yes j) Do you support requiring a doctor to be present when a woman takes a pill to induce an abortion?
k) Other or expanded principles:

1) 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.2) 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.

Slightly Increase a) Education (higher)
Slightly Increase b) Education (K-12)
Maintain Status c) Environment
Slightly Increase d) Health care
Maintain Status e) Law enforcement/corrections
Slightly Increase f) Transportation/infrastructure
Slightly Decrease g) Welfare
h) Other or expanded categories:
Maintain Status a) Alcohol taxes
Slightly Increase b) Cigarette taxes
Slightly Decrease c) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status d) Gas/Oil taxes
Greatly Decrease e) Property taxes
Maintain Status f) Sales taxes
Slightly Decrease g) Income taxes (low-income families)
Slightly Decrease h) Income taxes (mid-income families)
Slightly Decrease i) Income taxes (high-income families)
j) Other or expanded categories:

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:
Yes a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes b) Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders, such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
No c) Do you support decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana?
Yes d) Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
Yes e) Should a minor who sends sexually-explicit or nude photos by cell phone face criminal charges?
Yes f) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
Yes g) Should citizens be allowed to use deadly force in defense of their homes, dwellings or vehicles?
All of these issues need balance, there is not a one size fits all answer.
Yes a) Do you support reducing government regulations on the private sector?
Yes b) Do you support increased state funding for job-training programs that re-train displaced workers?
No c) Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
Yes d) Do you support providing financial incentives to the private sector for the purpose of job creation?
Yes e) Do you support increased spending on infrastructure projects for the purpose of job creation?
No f) Do you support providing direct financial assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure?
I am driven by the principle of "Reducing Government's Footprint." Government has become too big and too intrusive in our lives. We need to limit the growth of government and restore values of liberty, freedom, and personal responsibility.
Yes a) Do you support the national Common Core State Standards initiative?
Yes b) Do you support a merit pay system for teachers?
No c) Is the tenure process for public school teachers producing effective teachers?
No 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 strengthening Minnesota's anti-bullying statute?
Yes g) Do you support the state government providing college students with financial aid?
No h) Should illegal immigrants who graduate from Minnesota high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
We should encourage illegal immigrant high school students to become legal citizens and use eligibility for in-state tuition as an incentive to achieve that goal.
Yes a) Do you support state funding for the development of alternative energy?
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 Minnesota's energy infrastructure?
Yes d) Do you support state funding for open space preservation?
Yes e) Do you support enacting environmental regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change?
We need a balanced approach to our energy needs.
Yes a) Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
No b) Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
Yes c) Should citizens be allowed to carry concealed guns?
No d) Should a license be required for gun possession?
We have adequate gun laws currently.
No 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?
No d) Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
Yes e) Do you support monetary limits on damages that can be collected in malpractice lawsuits?
Yes f) Do you support allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes?
We must solve the health care issue, I support increased competition rather a government take over of the system.
Yes a) Should marriage only be between one man and one woman?
Yes b) Should same-sex couples be allowed to form civil unions?
Yes c) Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Minnesota's anti-discrimination laws?
Yes d) Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Minnesota's anti-discrimination laws?
I support civil unions, domestic partnerships, and traditional marriages.
My first bill will offer a set of tax reforms that will help make Minnesota?s economy more competitive, help create jobs and give us a fairer, more stable tax system. This will improve our budgeting process, and increase the accountability of local units of government. I also support a GEIS for silca sand mining, this will give local units of governments good factual information inwhich to make sound decisions concerning permitting and regulations.

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