Kathy StaubPrimary Election 2022 WinnerGeneral Election 2022 Winner

If elected or re-elected, please describe legislation you expect to sponsor or co-sponsor.

I will co-sponsor a bill to re-establish a state minimum wage statute that gradually raises the minimum wage to $15. I will work on legislation that will address our current housing crisis by sponsoring bills that protect tenants and encourage the development of affordable housing units. I am also open to working with other legislators on bill s to protect voting rights, access to abortion, re-authorization of Medicaid expansion, and any areas of concern brought to me by constituents.

What are the most important concerns you’ve heard from Manchester residents and how can you address those concerns if elected or re-elected?

Among the folks I have spoken to, the high cost of housing and the lack of safe affordable rental units is an area of concern. As a legislator I can sponsor bill that help people find and keep housing and encourage the development of more affordable units. I will also vote against bills that make life more challenging for ordinary folks. Both men and women are worried about women’s ability to control their own bodies and make decisions about whether or not to end a pregnancy. I will always vote to protect a woman’s right to choose. High property taxes are always an area of concern for homeowners. I will address this by taking every opportunity to return money to the community to pay for schools, roads, and public safety.

New Hampshire legislators are citizen legislators and being a legislator is a significant time commitment. How much time per week can you spend on legislative duties while the Senate/House is in session?

As I am retired, I should be able to attend every voting session and committee meeting for committees I am assigned to. I will also spend as much time as necessary to respond to constituents who contact me.

How do you feel the current divisive political climate in the United States will impact the New Hampshire General Court over the next two years and how would you navigate that divisiveness in your duties?

I first testified at the State House when I was a school board member. I was impressed by how polite and respectful the committeemembers were, even when they did not agree with me. These are the people I will use as my role model for my behavior. However, my job as a legislature is to act in the best interest of my constituents and I will remain steadfast on issues that that affect us. I can only control my own behavior and hope that others will be respectful as well. Sometimes members may need to be held to account for especially egregious behavior, but I do believe that people are capable of changing.

What is the most significant issue facing Manchester residents at the municipal level and how can you, as a legislator aid the city government on that issue?

The housing crisis. As a legislator I can sponsor and vote for bills that protect tenants and encourage development of more affordable units. This will keep more people from becoming homeless. I can also vote for funding to be sent to the city and service providers to address the need for expanded mental health and substance abuse treatment in the homeless community. I will also work to re-authorize medicaid expansion to continue to provide help for these folks. In the longer term I will fight for more investment from the state. NH falls far behind surrounding states in housing investment.

In your conversations with voters, what is the most significant issue to them right now? How would you address that if elected or re-elected?

The housing crisis and abortion access are the issues I hear most often.