Casey Lucius' Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)
Key
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Casey Lucius has provided voters with clear stances on key issues by responding to the 2016 Political Courage Test.
California Congressional Election 2016 Political Courage Test
| Pro-choice | Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation? | ||
| Abortion is a difficult and serious decision for anyone faced with an unwanted and unplanned pregnancy. I am not personally an advocate of abortion, but I do believe that women should have the right to make this very personal decision in coordination with their family members and their doctors. I believe abortion should be legal, safe, and rare. | |||
| Yes | In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending? | ||
| No | In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket? | ||
| The federal government needs to foster an environment that promotes capital investment and business expansion. A common-sense approach to simplifying the tax code that reduces corporate and individual tax rates is a beginning. Once that is accomplished, those pro-growth tax code reforms need to be locked-in, sending the signal of certainty to businesses and families. By doing so, those with capital have more confidence in making investments and creating jobs and economic opportunities. A tax code that is both easy to understand and permanent will allow businesses to expand, new industries to flourish and the workforce to grow. | |||
| Yes | Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions? | ||
| Yes | Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes? | ||
| Yes | Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment? | ||
| No | Do you support mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders? | ||
| Yes | Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth? | ||
| Yes | Do you support lowering taxes as a means of promoting economic growth? | ||
| Yes | Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation? | ||
| No | Do you generally support requiring states to adopt federal education standards? | ||
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| Yes | Do you support building the Keystone XL pipeline? | ||
| Yes | Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)? | ||
| Yes | Do you support increased regulations on the hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") industry? | ||
| I support American energy independence. If we stay on the right track, the US is expected to be energy independent by 2035 using solely domestic sources. In order to meet our state and national goals to have 33% renewables by 2020, we need to support local clean energy projects. Nationally, I support the North America Energy Infrastructure Act and the Energy Consumer Relief Act. | |||
| Yes | Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change? | ||
| Yes | Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions? | ||
| I believe in climate change and I believe we need to properly prepare for the impacts of climate change. I support the Climate Change Technology Program. In 2005, this program included almost every government agency and was led by the Department of Energy with a focus on using new technology to reduce green-house gas emissions. This program was also a job creator for the technology industry. It allowed us to think about climate change domestically and focus specifically on the impacts to the US economy and environment. | |||
| Yes | Do you generally support gun-control legislation? | ||
| As a member of Congress, I would seek to balance individual rights with ensuring the safety of our communities. A staggering 80% of gun deaths are gang-related. On the Central Coast, we have a gang problem, not a gun problem. There are also more suicides committed with firearms than there are homicides. By investing in gang- and suicide-prevention programs, and proper training in firearms safety, we can focus on the real issues and create a safer community for the families of the Central Coast. I support the Second Amendment and the right of self-defense. | |||
| No | Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")? | ||
| I support affordable and accessible healthcare, and there are many ways we can work together to improve health care legislation, simplify the rules, lower costs, and ensure access, without repealing the entire Affordable Care Act ? and yet make major improvements. For example, there is only one primary doctor on the Monterey Peninsula that accepts Obamacare. As a result, those covered by Covered California have to go to the Emergency Room or drive outside of the county. Healthcare reform should focus on greater accessibility to primary care doctors and specialists to really ensure patients are getting the best preventative care. | |||
| No | Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship? | ||
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| The agricultural and tourism economies on the central coast of California are dependent on immigrant labor ? those who are willing to do back-breaking work, pay taxes, and follow the law ? so they might have a chance at a better life in America. As a member of Congress I would support more robust school, work, and family visa programs. The objectives of the Immigration and Naturalization Act include uniting families, protecting refugees, encouraging immigrants with skills, and promoting diversity. As of 2013, worker visas were capped at 140,000, leaving 11 million immigrants living and working here illegally. | |||
| Yes | Do you support same-sex marriage? | ||
| I approve of same-sex marriage because we are all called to love one another, not judge one another. As a society, we should encourage strong and healthy partnerships that encourage us to grow and be better people. | |||
| Yes | Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts? | ||
SpendingIndicate what federal spending levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once.TaxesIndicate what federal tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once.
| Maintain Status | a) Agriculture | ||
| Slightly Decrease | b) Arts | ||
| Maintain Status | c) Defense | ||
| Greatly Increase | d) Education | ||
| Slightly Decrease | e) Environment | ||
| Slightly Increase | f) Homeland Security | ||
| Maintain Status | g) International aid | ||
| Slightly Increase | h) Medical Research | ||
| Slightly Increase | i) Scientific Research | ||
| Maintain Status | j) Space exploration | ||
| Slightly Decrease | k) United Nations | ||
| Slightly Decrease | l) Welfare | ||
| m) Other or expanded categories | |||
| Maintain Status | a) Capital gains taxes | ||
| Maintain Status | b) Corporate taxes | ||
| Slightly Decrease | c) Small business taxes | ||
| Maintain Status | d) Excise taxes (alcohol) | ||
| Maintain Status | e) Excise taxes (cigarettes) | ||
| Slightly Increase | f) Excise taxes (transportation fuel) | ||
| Slightly Decrease | g) Income taxes (low-income families) | ||
| Slightly Decrease | h) Income taxes (middle-income families) | ||
| Maintain Status | i) Income taxes (high-income families) | ||
| Eliminate | j) Inheritance taxes | ||
| Maintain Status | k) Payroll taxes | ||
| l) Other or expanded categories | |||
| 1. Streamline the water permitting process to avoid EPA, US Army Corps of Engineers involvement in local water projects. 2. H2A visa reform to support the agricultural work force. 3. Invest in local-state-federal trust funds to support and encourage home ownership; and investments in developing affordable housing. |
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