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Kathleen Williams' 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.

Kathleen Williams has failed to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2020 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2020.

  • "It’s National Women’s Health Week, yet some politicians have been working overtime to rob women of their ability to make private health decisions with their doctors. There's no mincing words: the abortion bans we're seeing in Georgia and Alabama are wrong. #NWHW #StopTheBans" (twitter.com)
  • "Today, Montanans will gather across the state to oppose to the intrusive abortion bans in Georgia, Alabama, and Missouri. I stand in solidarity with the courageous Montanans who are defending reproductive health care today. #StopTheBans #mtpol #mtal" (twitter.com)
  • "83% of Gianforte's tax cuts are going to the top 1%. Now he's voting to cut pay for our military, healthcare for our rural communities, and Pell Grants, among other crucial programs, calling them an "irresponsible glut of spending." #mtal #mtpol" (twitter.com)
  • "Congressman Gianforte likes to talk about middle class tax cuts. The problem is: under his agenda, middle class families will lose their healthcare, retirees won't have Social Security & Medicare, and middle class women won't have access to birth control. No thanks. #mtpol #mtal" (twitter.com)
  • "Correct the recent tax bill and ensure the tax code benefits middle class and working Americans, who spend their money locally, trickling up to make the economy stronger." (votesmart.org)
  • Endorsed by the Committee to Protect Social Security and Medicare. (kathleenformontana.com)
  • "Fixing our broken healthcare system is one of Kathleen’s top priorities. She developed a detailed plan to get all citizens affordable, quality care. She will protect Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, which so many Montanans depend on." (kathleenformontana.com)
  • "Earlier today, we stopped by the Senior Citizen Center in Great Falls for lunch. Kathleen will never waver on protecting Medicare, Social Security, and other programs that are so important to Montana's seniors. #TeamKathleen #KW4MT" (twitter.com)
  • Endorsed by End Citizens United. (kathleenformontana.com)
  • "Montana has led the way on transparency in campaign spending, as well as keeping contribution limits low so no donor has too much sway or access. Even when some Democrats wanted to raise campaign contribution limits, Kathleen argued for keeping them low and won. She supported Montana’s DISCLOSE Act, one of the strongest transparency laws in the nation." (kathleenformontana.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Ensure Montana gets the infrastructure funding it needs. Montana received a "C" grade overall in a 2018 report on the condition of our infrastructure, with some elements close to failing, and we know the condition of our infrastructure is directly tied to economic opportunity. Some towns are going back to dirt roads because they can’t afford to maintain the paved ones. We need leaders who will advance infrastructure solutions and investments at the federal level, be they in transportation, irrigation, parks and trails, utilities, broadband, and more." (kathleenformontana.com)
  • "Close tax loopholes that allow some major corporations to pay zero in taxes and put small businesses at a disadvantage. We need to stop stacking the deck against our entrepreneurs." (kathleenformontana.com)
  • "Programs like the PPP need more transparency, but we need to get the hardest-hit businesses the support they need." (twitter.com)
  • "Although much of education policy and funding is determined at the local and state levels, the federal government has an important role to play. In the legislature, Kathleen made sure that public dollars went to public schools so every Montanan could get the education they need to succeed." (kathleenformontana.com)
  • "Retain and advance incentives for development and adoption of electric vehicles. The transportation sector is one of the highest generators of greenhouse gasses in the US, and these actions provide high bang for the buck in terms of carbon reductions." (kathleenformontana.com)
  • "Support putting Montana at the front lines of the economies of the future - especially in energy. Montana has directly experienced the impact of changes in energy markets and changing demands from energy consumers. We need to foster investments in a new energy future and ensure they are occurring here and not being lost to other states." (kathleenformontana.com)
  • "She will hit the ground running in DC to reinstate and protect crucial environmental protections that have been rolled back or threatened by this Administration." (votesmart.org)
  • "Kathleen's not afraid to stand up to the gun lobby when they refuse to have an adult conversation on common sense gun reforms. She's done it in the #mtleg. And if the NRA wants to give her an "F" for that, she will say it stands for "fearless." #mtpol" (twitter.com)
  • "Reminder: Kathleen is the only candidate with a guns policy. Not thoughts and prayers. Ban bump stocks. AR-15s confined to controlled environments. Close loopholes. Expand protections for victims of domestic abuse. #mtpol #mtal" (twitter.com)
  • "Happy #ACA anniversary! And a reminder that, only a few months back, @GregForMontana voted to kick almost 80,000 Montanans off their health insurance. This November, let's replace him with someone who will #ProtectOurCare" (twitter.com)
  • "The Affordable Care Act protects over 50 million Americans with pre-existing conditions. We can’t let their healthcare be taken from them, I hope the Supreme Court reaffirms the protections of the ACA." (twitter.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Congressman Gianforte isn’t standing up for our farmers. He had a chance to sign a letter with 107 other members of his caucus, urging caution over the trade war. He didn’t sign it. Montana has worked so hard for our export markets; now they're under threat. #mtpol #mtal" (twitter.com)
  • "If POTUS continues this trade war, the agricultural economy in #Montana will suffer dearly. Where is Rep. @gianforte on this? Why isn't he speaking up forcefully for Montana's farmers and ranchers this week? RETWEET if you agree we deserve an answer #mtpol" (twitter.com)
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
Pro-choice a) Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
No b) Should abortions be illegal after the first trimester of pregnancy?
Yes c) Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
Yes d) Should abortion be legal when the life of the woman is endangered?
No e) Do you support requiring parental notification before an abortion is performed on a minor?
No f) Do you support requiring parental consent before an abortion is performed on a minor?
No g) Do you support the prohibition of public funds for abortion procedures?
No h) Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
We need good family planning, self-assured youth, and good education and upward social mobility to avoid unwanted pregnancies. As others have said, abortions should be safe, legal,... and rare.

1) State Spending:Using the key, indicate what state funding levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category; you may use a number more than once.2) State Taxes:Using the key,indicate what state tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category; you may use a number more than once.

Slightly Increase a) Education (higher)
Slightly Increase b) Education (K-12)
Maintain Status c) Environment
Maintain Status d) Health care
Maintain Status e) Law enforcement/corrections
Maintain Status f) Transportation/infrastructure
Maintain Status g) Welfare
h) Other or expanded categories:
Maintain Status a) Alcohol taxes
Maintain Status b) Cigarette taxes
Maintain Status c) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status d) Gas/Oil taxes
Maintain Status e) Property taxes
Maintain Status f) Income taxes (low-income families)
Maintain Status g) Income taxes (mid-income families)
Maintain Status h) Income taxes (high-income families)
Maintain Status i) Other or expanded categories:
These responses refer to STATE taxes. d) we need to restructure oil and gas taxes to address community impacts closer to the time they occur.

a) Do you support limits on the following types of contributions for state candidates?

Yes 1) Individual
Yes 2) Political Action Committee
Yes 3) Corporate
Yes 4) Political Party
b) Should candidates for state office be encouraged to meet voluntary spending limits?
Yes c) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
Yes d) Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
No e) Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
4b) I don't think "voluntary" spending limits would work.
a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes b) Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders, such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
Yes c) Do you support decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana?
d) Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
e) Should a minor who sends sexually-explicit or nude photos by cell phone face criminal charges?
f) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
a) If there is no likelihood of wrongful conviction. e) not sure. some art is of nudes. f) only if what they are enforcing are narrow and clear and coordinated with the feds, and local police aren't doing racial profiling. And we do need a comprehensive immigration policy at the federal level.
Yes a) Do you support reducing government regulations on the private sector?
Yes b) Do you support increased state funding for job-training programs that re-train displaced workers?
c) Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
d) Do you support providing financial incentives to the private sector for the purpose of job creation?
e) Do you support increased spending on infrastructure projects for the purpose of job creation?
f) Do you support providing direct financial assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure?
a) if they are unnecessary b) I support increased investment in community and vocational colleges, which help with job training and re-training as well as 4-year college preparedness and provide opportunities for additional education for highly-performing high school students. d) and e) not solely for the purposes of job creation, but also to contribute to the economy, build needed infrastructure, etc. f) only if it can be done fairly and not penalize others trying to pay their mortgage
a) Do you support the national Common Core State Standards initiative?
Yes b) Do you support a merit pay system for teachers?
c) Is the tenure process for public school teachers producing effective teachers?
No d) Should parents be allowed to use vouchers to send their children to any school?
No e) Do you support state funding for charter schools?
Yes f) Do you support the state government providing college students with financial aid?
g) Should illegal immigrants who graduate from Montana high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
c) effective teachers are creative in a variety of ways; tenure is an important part of teachers having rights to argue on their own behalf.
Yes a) Do you support state funding for the development of alternative energy?
b) Do you support state funding for the development of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil)?
Yes c) Do you support state funding for improvements to Montana's energy infrastructure?
Yes d) Do you support state funding for open space preservation?
Yes e) Do you support increasing the means by which hunters may take wolves in order to promote greater management?
f) Should Montana reintroduce bison on public lands?
Yes g) Do you support enacting environmental regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change?
State funding and incentives should focus on keeping energy costs down, developing clean energy and a predictiable business climate for it, using conservation as a source of new energy, and enhancing consumers' ability to generate, use, and sell back to the grid their own energy g) most occuring at federal level. Also, I support a robust private sector helping move us to a cleaner economy and to address climate change. Many consumers want to reduce greenhouse gasses and will pay a bit more to do so. It all doesn't have to be regulations.
Yes a) Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
b) Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
Yes c) Should citizens be allowed to carry concealed guns?
d) Should a license be required for gun possession?
I am a hunter and support current restrictions on gun purchases, ownership, and transport
Yes a) Do you support a universally-accessible, publicly-administered health insurance option?
Yes b) Do you support expanding access to health care through commercial health insurance reform?
Yes c) Do you support interstate health insurance compacts?
Yes d) Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
Yes e) Do you support monetary limits on damages that can be collected in malpractice lawsuits?
Yes f) Do you support allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes?
No g) Do you support increased restrictions on the production of medical marijuana in Montana?
I support trying to make health insurance reform work. If we can't get to broad accessibility and affordability under the private insurance system, a publicly administered system should be tried. The only way health insurance costs can be reasonable is if there is a big pool of purchasers, including the healthy. Thus, I support everyone having to purchase health insurance. Currently, our hospital bills the insured 35% more to account for treatment of uninsured. Regarding MM, the legislature clamped down too hard in 2011 - it needs to be affordable and available for legitimate medical purposes, as voters intended.
No a) Should marriage only be between one man and one woman?
Yes b) Should same-sex couples be allowed to form civil unions?
Yes c) Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Montana's anti-discrimination laws?
Yes d) Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Montana's anti-discrimination laws?
We should revamp our partner laws so that all couples who wish to be committed partners are allowed the same set of rights. If, in addition, that couple wishes their union to be recognized by a religious institution, that should be recognized separately.
Together we can... - Expand and diversify our economy - Support a strong public education system and affordable tuition - Improve health care access and affordability - Build a balanced budget that meets our basic needs, protects the vulnerable, and invests in our future - Advance civil dialogue and our shared sense of community - Protect clean air and water and access to rivers and streams See more detail on how I'm working on these priorities at www.KathleenHD65.com. Thank you for your interest, and thanks to Project Vote Smart for their work!

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