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Nick Troiano's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.

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Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Due to a later filing deadline or other circumstances delaying entry into our database, the results of Nick Troiano's test have not yet been processed. They will be released shortly. In the meantime, you may contact the campaign directly for information about Nick Troiano's issue positions.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Pennsylvania Congressional Election 2014 Political Courage Test

Pro-life Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
As a society, we should uphold the sanctity of human life. I support measures to reduce the number of abortions in our country, without restricting access to safe and legal procedures as guaranteed by the Supreme Court.
Yes In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
No In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
I support the bipartisan framework of the Simpson/Bowles commission to reduce our debt and grow our economy by: restraining government spending (including by modernizing our defense), reforming our tax code, and reinvesting in our national competitiveness. Tax reform should lower marginal tax rates for everyone, while using part of the revenue from closing loopholes to reduce the deficit. I have offered my own tax reform plan (www.nicktroiano.com/taxes).
Yes Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
I support the American Anti Corruption Act, which would among other things require any organization that spends more than $10,000 to support or oppose a candidate to disclose their donors. My campaign does not accept any contributions from PACs, lobbyists, corporations or unions.
No Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes Do you support lowering taxes as a way of promoting growth in the economy?
Yes Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
Government can play a targeted and limited role in promoting growth by investing in our country?s human and physical capital, such as through education and infrastructure. But the most effective thing government can do to promote growth is let our free market thrive by getting its own budget in order, reducing/streamlining burdensome regulation, and supporting small business owners. I have offered my own economic growth plan (www.nicktroiano.com/economy).
Yes Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?
I oppose unfunded federal mandates in education and believe that curriculum development be left to the states and local school boards. I believe it is appropriate to tie competitive federal grant funding to improvements in educational outcomes.
Yes Do you support building the Keystone XL pipeline?
Yes Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?
We should explore and develop all sources of domestic energy, especially low-carbon or carbon-less sources such as natural gas and nuclear power, with an aim of transitioning to a clean and renewable energy based economy in the future. Becoming energy independent is imperative from a national security and economic standpoint.
Yes Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
No Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
We should reduce our nation?s greenhouse gases through market-based incentives, rather than harmful regulations such as those through the EPA. For example, I support removing all fossil fuel subsidies in the federal budget. Any steps to mitigate the long-term threat of climate change should be weighed against our short-term priority of economic growth.
No Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
I am a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment and believe we should enforce the laws already in place.
No Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
I would not have the supported the ACA in Congress at the time. Now, our focus should be acknowledging where the law has worked (such a through expanding insurance coverage) and overhauling the law where it has proved to be too costly, disruptive, and economically harmful (such as through replacing the employer mandate). We must do more to fix our health care system by containing costs, increasing access, and improving quality. I have offered my own plan (www.nicktroiao.com/healthcare).
Yes Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
Immigration reform that is tough, fair, and practical can help strengthen our national security, grow our economy, and reduce the deficit. We should secure our border, modernize our visa system, and offer a provisional immigration status to any undocumented individual who clears a background check, pays a fine, and waits in line for a non-citizen permanent status.
Yes Do you support same-sex marriage?
I am opposed to all discrimination in federal policy based on race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Yes Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?
Yes Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the United States from possessing a nuclear weapon?
Protecting our national security is the top priority of the federal government to keep our country safe from threats at home and abroad. All national security measures and military engagements must be weighed against the liberty, privacy, civil rights and the livelihood of all Americans.
No Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?
I support the creation of a bipartisan commission to propose reforms to make Social Security sustainability solvent and prevent the across-the-board cut in benefits set to occur when the Trust Fund runs empty in 2033. I have also offered my own plan (www.NickTroiano.com/socialsecurity). These reforms should include optional add-on accounts to encourage additional retirement savings.

SpendingIndicate what federal spending levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once.TaxesIndicate what federal tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once.

Maintain Status a) Agriculture
Slightly Decrease b) Arts
Slightly Decrease c) Defense
Maintain Status d) Education
Slightly Decrease e) Environment
Maintain Status f) Homeland Security
Greatly Decrease g) International aid
Slightly Increase h) Medical Research
Slightly Increase i) Scientific Research
Maintain Status j) Space exploration
Greatly Decrease k) United Nations
Slightly Decrease l) Welfare
a) Capital gains taxes
b) Corporate taxes
c) Excise taxes (alcohol)
d) Excise taxes (cigarettes)
e) Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
f) Income taxes (low-income families)
g) Income taxes (middle-income families)
h) Income taxes (high-income families)
i) Inheritance taxes
j) Payroll taxes
Eliminate duplicative and ineffective programs Reforms to health and retirement programs that generate savings, but phased in gradually to keep promises to those in or near retirement.
Tax reform that broadens the base, lowers rates, and reduces the deficit. www.NickTroiano.com/taxes
My top priority is forging a bipartisan agreement that reduces our debt in a way that can contribute to rather than stifle economic growth. My first step would be to help pass legislation that I helped draft and get introduced called the INFORM Act, which would force the government to disclose the true size and scope of its debt and long-term obligations that are currently left off the books. Another top priority is reforming our system of campaign finance to, among other things, prohibit members of Congress from accepting contributions from industries they regulate.

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