Terry Smith, Democrat

Resides: Hill

Experience: Veteran U.S. Navy, Vietnam era; Government efficiency expert (two governor awards for saving taxpayer dollars); director of a NH state agency for 13 years, 26 years state government; bachelor's degree in English, master's degree in organizational administration; self-funded candidate with friendships among Democrats and Republicans.

Email: terryrs@comcast.net

Positions on Issues

Broad-based sales tax: "Against"

Broad-based income tax: "Against"

Capital gains tax: "Without a state income tax, people who lose in the market cannot claim a deduction. Seems unfair to tax when they win, then."

Business tax decrease: "Businesses in NH already face a tough challenge having to compete in the marketplace. I need to hear more about the impact of current taxes before considering either lowering or raising them."

Cigarette tax increase: "I understand that cigarette taxes raise revenue. But I also understand that smoking related illnesses cost Medicaid and Medicare much more than the tax revenue tobacco raises. It's a silly narrative."

Road usage fee: "Truckers already face marginal incomes, especially loggers and those independents who already have to share income with brokers. Adding this to shipping costs would simply downshift to consumers and businesses. It's a subtle way to increase the business profits tax and create an invisible sales tax."

Minimum wage increase: "Not in the traditional sense. I'm mulling a rolling minimum wage that's more fair to smaller businesses, a moveable wage that is based on what they can afford."

Tax incentives for affordable housing: "For" 

NH business subsidies and tax credits: "Depends on how it's done. If it leads to more employment, sure. If it's just another tax loophole, then no."

Student debt repayment for certain industries: "Why are we even talking about this? We want health care workers and good teachers in communities that pay poorly, we need to make it possible for such occupations to afford to say yes to a job offer."

Per-pupil school funding increase: "Clearly school funding needs reform in New Hampshire."

Tax revenue for private and home schooling: "Public schools in low income districts are already reeling from poor funding. Moreover, they are responsible for the extreme expenses of special education that private and home schooling are not mandated to provide." 

Statewide, mandatory family and medical leave: "Government shouldn't be in the business of telling employees what to do with their incomes, especially when some incomes are already hand-to-mouth."

Private, opt-in family and medical leave: "Sure. People given choices are never a bad thing."

Abortion ban after 24 weeks: "I don't believe in telling women what to do with their bodies. But at the same time, at 6 months, most fetuses are viable, and as viable beings entitle to all human protections thereto."

Marijuana legalization: "I'm not for marijuana per se. But a) all three of our neighbor states have legalized it; and more importantly b) we do need a new revenue stream to equalize educational opportunities across the spectrum of wealthy to poor communities. If not marijuana, then what are our other acceptable options? Gambling? Sales Tax? Income tax?"

Stricter gun laws: "Depends on the law. I'm against massive gun control, but it only makes sense to have background checks for mental health, criminal background, and domestic violence because who wants to be shot at home, school or work?"

Increased access to police misconduct reports: "Not sure of the question. Mere 'reports' are by nature unproven and hence inflammatory without necessarily having substance."

Net metering expansion: "Any incentives for green power are welcomed. Some locations may want to start small to investigate the technology."

Extending renewable energy portfolio standard: "For"

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: "For"

Emergency power restrictions: "The strength of democracy is in the checks and balances of power among the three branches of government. I need to look more into how that balance is spread currently regarding emergency powers."

Mail-in voting: "For"