Joseph D. Kenney, Republican

Resides: Union

Experience: Executive Councilor (2014 - 2018); Senator, NH Senate (2002 - 2008); Representative, NH House of Representatives (1994 - 2002); Lieutenant Colonel, US Marine Corps (retired)

Website: kenneyfornh.org

Email: kenneyfornh@gmail.com

Positions on issues

Broad-based sales tax: "Preserve the New Hampshire Tax Advantage"

Broad-based income tax: "Against"

Capital gains tax: "Against"

Business tax decrease: "For"

Cigarette tax increase: "We need to understand our borders states and how they increase or decrease their cigarette taxes in order to remain competitive for tax revenues."

Road usage fee: "The NH Executive Council is responsible for toll increases. It is important for the US Congress to pass an infrastructure bill in order to help the states."

Minimum wage increase: "The NH minimum wage automatically increases to the level of federal minimum wage when it increases."

Tax incentives for affordable housing: "This should be driven by the private market as mush as possible."

NH business subsidies and tax credits: "Tax credits to some extent already exists in Coos County for businesses and through other means such as Opportunity Zones."

Student debt repayment for certain industries: "Anytime there are program that create incentives for young workers to relieve them of their student debt while also creating an opportunity for career progression is a good thing."

Per-pupil school funding increase: "For towns and cities that have high property taxes, the state should continue the education funding aid program to assist these communities. School enrollment in recent years has been on the decline so there needs to be a reevaluation of the cost of education but it should be locally based for the most part."

Tax revenue for private and home schooling: "Home schooling alleviates a tax burden in regards to transportation and school supplies. COVID-19 has taught us that distance learning can work and it should be available for all types of situations."

Statewide, mandatory family and medical leave: "Against family and medical leave insurance program, which would be run by the state department of employment security. Employers would pay 0.5% of wages per employee as premium payments. Employees could take up to twelve weeks of leave and receive 60% of their pay after paying into the program for at least six months. The bill does not allow anyone to opt-out of the program. In essence, it is a broadbase tax."

Private, opt-in family and medical leave: "For"

Abortion ban after 24 weeks: "For"

Marijuana legalization: "Against"

Stricter gun laws: "Against"

Net metering expansion: "It needs to be cost effective and driven by the private sector with some public partnerships."

Extending renewable energy portfolio standard: "For"

Emergency power restrictions: "The purpose of a Chief Executive is for him or her to govern in times of crisis and work with his or her state commissioners and federal officials. The legislature needs to be informed by the Governor but the Executive Branch needs to take the lead."

Mail-in voting: "Against"

Should there be a higher threshold for the size of state contracts that must be reviewed by the Executive Council (currently $10,000)? "The NH Executive Councilor needs to maintain tight control over agency contracts and to provide transparency for the general public."

Are you open to approving no-bid state contracts? "There should be two or more bidders at all times if possible."

Do you support state contracts with faith-based organizations? "If the faith-based organization provides an essential service that helps the State, I would be in support of it, particularly if it is a difficult service to provide."

Do you support state contracts with Planned Parenthood? "State tax dollars should not be given to health care organizations that use public monies for abortions. We should replicate the federal law in NH called the 'Hyde Act' which states federal monies can not be used for abortions."

Should a nominee’s political beliefs be an important factor when deciding on an appointment? "One should try to appoint someone based on their qualifications, experience and peer review, not on their political beliefs."

Would you vote for Attorney General Gordon MacDonald to be chief justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court? "Mr. McDonald was highly qualified for the position on the State Supreme Court. He was a victim of Washington style partisan politics, which is not needed in NH."