Don Petterson
Party/District:  D - Rockingham County District 10
Experience:  State Rep. 2007-present
Committees:  Executive Departments and Administration
Residence:  Brentwood
Family:  Married, 4 Children
Education: MA University of California Santa Barbara, BA University of California Santa Barbara.

Which of the following sources of revenue should be pursued by the state?

• Expansion of gambling: NO
• Income tax: YES
• General sales tax: NO
• Increase in I & D tax: YES
• LLC tax: NO
• Local meals & rooms tax: NO
• Adding tolls on I-93 (Mass. Border): DID NOT ANSWER

Neither the legislature nor the governor will sanction a state income tax, so the issue is moot. And the public is opposed. Nevertheless, I believe that implementation of a modest, graduated income tax that would not affect low-income earners and not be a burden to middle-income earners would be the fairest way to raise revenue for vitally needed services and provide a way to reduce property taxes, which are particularly harmful to people (especially elderly) who have fixed incomes.

Adopt a cap on property taxes? YES

Reform retirement benefits for municipal & state employees? YES

Repeal the gay marriage law? NO

Have mandatory automobile insurance? YES

Have a mandatory seat belt law for adults? YES

Adopt a mandatory helmet law for motorcycle riders? YES

Decriminalize small amounts of marijuana for adults? YES

Legalize medicinal marijuana? YES

Restrict the use of windmills and windfarms for power generation, based on:

• Amount of subsidies: DID NOT ANSWER
• Aesthetics: NO
• Environmental impact: YES

Repeal the death penalty? YES

Adopt constitutional amendment that reduces the role of the courts in the school funding challenge? NO

Amend NH constitution to permit citizens to vote on statewide issues in a referendum? NO

Adopt a top 2 primary system? NO

Leave immigration laws to federal government? YES