John Rusche'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 Rusche has provided voters with clear stances on key issues by responding to the 2018 Political Courage Test.
Idaho State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test
| a) Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation? | |||
| Yes | b) Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape? | ||
| c) Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions? | |||
| Abortion is a valid medical/surgical procedure, but is a poor choice for family planning. Comprehensive contraceptive choices and health access are better | |||
1) Budget Stabilization:Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing Idaho's budget.
| Yes | a) Do you support repealing the sales tax on groceries sold in Idaho? | ||
| No | b) Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions? | ||
| No | c) Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees? | ||
| No | d) Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients? | ||
| Yes | e) An income tax increase on any tax bracket? | ||
| if necessary for balancing the budget, consider repealing part of the $250 Million tax cut from the 2018 session | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support any limits 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? | ||
| d) Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls? | |||
| e) Other or expanded principles: | |||
| No | a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes? | ||
| No | b) Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes? | ||
| No | c) Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult? | ||
| d) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police? | |||
| Yes | e) Do you support the legalization of Cannabidiol Oil (CBD) for medical purposes? | ||
| Yes | f) Do you support prohibiting the use of handheld electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle? | ||
| Which immigration laws? And what do the local police and sheriffs want? CBD oil should be legalized for valid (proven) conditions | |||
| No | a) Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth? | ||
| No | b) Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth? | ||
| c) Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector? | |||
| No | d) Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits? | ||
| No | e) Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits? | ||
| Yes | f) Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Idaho? | ||
| State spending is not enough to promote growth. Certain projects may (ie, telecom, transportation, higher ed) Which regulations? I want clean water and air, but useless ones should be removed | |||
| a) Do you support adopting federal education standards in Idaho? | |||
| b) Do you support state funding for charter schools? | |||
| Yes | c) Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Idaho high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities? | ||
| No | d) Should elementary students' reading test scores influence teachers' pay raises? | ||
| Which Federal standards? State charter school funding is a reality. I oppose vouchers for private and religious schools | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)? | ||
| b) Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions? | |||
| Yes | c) Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives? | ||
| Greenhouse gases are really a federal issue There are a number of wast water and drinking water treatment plants long past their expected life. Many are in small communities unable to support bonds for rebuilding. But it is an issue for all of us | |||
| 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? | ||
| No | d) Should a license be required for gun ownership? | ||
| which legislation? I think that all sales (except in family) should have a background check. | |||
| Yes | a) Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support Medicaid expansion through Idaho's health care programs? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance? | ||
| No | d) Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia? | ||
| e) Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations? | |||
| our exemption policy is parental preference. I think the school should send home any unvaccinnated child if there is illness in the community or if there is an immune suppressed child in the school. | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Idaho's anti-discrimination laws? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Idaho's anti-discrimination laws? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support greater efforts by Idaho state government in closing the pay gap between men and women? | ||
| d) Other or expanded principles: | |||
Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or programs in any campaign activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.