Katherine Rogers, Concord State Representative Candidate

Katherine D. Rogers

Age (as of Election Day)

65

Position Sought

State Representative Merrimack #28

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

not applicable

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

JD from Surffolk University School of Law, B.A. from Clark University, Graduate of Concord schools elementary thru High School

Occupation

Retired Attorney

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

State Representative(1992-1998 & 2012-Present); Merrimack County Board of Commissioners (1998-2008); Member, Concord City Council (1991-2010):
Merrimack County Attorney (2008-2010)

Campaign website

do not have one

Why are you seeking elective office?

I want to make NH a state where working families can survive without putting themselves at risk. Where children can get a quality education in our public schools, where our working men and women can earn a living wage in a good job and live in housing the is not substandard. To do this the state needs a budget the fulfills many promises without breaking the backs of the property taxpayers. I believe I have the experience and the knowledge to help make that happen.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The State Budget. I have served as a member of the House Finance Committee for the last 4 terms and have worked to increase funding for Education while keeping taxes stable. We need to continue to care for the children of NH and provide an adequate education and provide services for our most vulnerable citizens while not increasing taxes on our working families.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have worked with the State Budget and understand the nuances of the general fund and the education trust fund and what needs to happen to balance the needs of our vulnerable citizens in comparision to the property taxpayers. The dificult times ahead are not the times to bring in a novice with no understanding of the state budget and the programs funded by it.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I believe we need to work to strengthen laws sealing with abuse and cruelty in regards to children and animals. The Link between animal cruelty and child abuse and ultimately partner/spousal abuse is well documented. It needs to be stopped in the early stages and punished accordingly. Domestic abuse is a growing crime in the United States and while NH has done well in building a strong set of statutes for documented adult abuse we need to look at the Link and make our laws even more preventative.

NH also needs to tighten out statutes in regard to Gun Violence Prevention. While we have been fortunate not to have experienced any mass shooting incidents here we need to work with our schools to make them safer in this area. NH Is one of the states that is the highest in the number of exportation of Crime guns so while the guns might not be contributing to crime here they are sold or traded for drugs to commit crimes in our neighboring states. We need a Background check law to go into effect sooner rather than later and a wait list for the purchase of guns would help to lower suicide rates and provide a 'cooling off' period as well.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

During my time in the NH House Not only have I worked to craft a budget that works for the people of NH but I have shown that I can get the job done by serving as the sponsor or co-sponsor that enacted the following into law:
- established a grant program for closure of unlined solid waste landfills
- established a commission to examine governmental reorganization.
- a statute enabling municipalities and counties to establish geographic information systems and charge fees for their use.
- a statute permitting municipalities to expand the information contained on property tax bills and to include other bills and tax abatement information mailings with property tax bills.
- a Statute relative to certain definitions under the environmental laws, municipal liability and the tax sale and lien process, and the liability of owners of hazardous waste facilities
- established a 55 mile per hour speed limit for OHRVs traveling on the frozen surface of Turtle Pond
- Authorizing the design and construction of a medium security prison in Berlin
- Making the Financial exploitation and neglect of the elderly, disabled, or impaired adults a crime
- A Statute relative to student social media policies by educational institutions and nonpublic sessions under the right-to-know law.
- revised the legislative ethics laws and the guidelines of the legislative ethics committee.
- changed "incapacitated" to "vulnerable" in the adult protective services laws.
- Made bestiality a crime
- Established a death benefit for a school employee killed in the line of duty.
- Statute making it illegal to possess items to aid in the practice of animal fighting

The best advice ever shared with me was …

Do your homework and listen as much if not more than you speak.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I learn so very much from constituents and I love getting calls, email and snail mail from people. The best part of this job is the interaction with the voters.