Mariellen MacKay, Nashua State Senate Candidate

Mariellen MacKay

Age (as of Election Day)

Position Sought

NH Senator District 13

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

I have two children, a daughter who is still at home and who has different abilities, and a son who is retired from the USAF who has given me a granddaughter and a grandson. My spouse is a small business owner in NH for over 30 years.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

MS Human Services, BS Interdisciplinary Studies, AA Criminal Justice, AA Human Services

Occupation

Executive Director, NH Foster & Adoptive Parent Association - 30+

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Former Two Term State Representative

Campaign website

mariellenfornh.mailerpage.com mariellen mackay 4 nh senate - facebook page

Why are you seeking elective office?

To protect our NH Advantage, no new taxes especially no sales or income tax, to stand with families as they fight for a strong economy, lower taxes and to have their voices heard in Concord.

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

The most pressing issue facing our city, our state and our Country today is man's inhumanity to man (and woman). Decency, honesty, courtesy, fair play and kindness seem to have left the building. Having a difference of opinion does not make a person right or wrong...it just makes their opinion different. Maybe if we all stopped to listen and to hear we might learn. We may never agree totally with someone else however we can always learn something new. Opinions and feelings seem to be facing total destruction and loss of existence these days. Why? We can all agree to disagree however we all have principles and morals which we can support. No one, at least that I am aware of, sanctions the idea of murder, or rape or destroying the property of others or stealing...we would not want these things visited upon ourselves and generally speaking we do not condone having them visited upon others. While we support a cause...we do not support rioting and looting and just outright destruction of someone's hard earned living or their property. No one would like to have their cars, businesses, homes or personal items burned or stolen...there are much better ways to get someone's attention and to get people to listen. Who wants to listen to violence? No one. It seems that today people have lost the ability to speak to each other instead of just at each other. We need to bring back human kindness and decency and respect for everyone...not some of the people...all of the people. People are so busy today shouting about their thoughts, rights and opinions that they are either not listening too or outright missing the quiet voices that are trying hard to do the right thing. We need to stop, breathe and look around at what we are missing and who we are overlooking...it seems, on some level, we are missing us all.

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

I have worked in the field of child welfare and disabilities for over 30 years and I understand the needs of families on a much more informed and personal basis.

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

Advocating for an income tax under the guise of a family medical leave act, which actually places a fee for service based on salary...a tax on income, is not in the best interest of NH's citizens. It also won't allow someone to change their mind and opt out...why not?
Not allowing families to determine which choices to have to select from for educating their children...why can't people decide? Why does this choice have to made for them?
Supporting raising taxes on business here in NH is not going to encourage growth...it will deter it.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Supporting the disability community, the adult and elderly and veterans. Advocating for the rights of a child, supporting DCYF and Foster & Adoptive Parents.

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

During my tenure as a State Rep I sponsored legislation around preference for Guardianship for Grandparents whose children are involved in the Opioid Crisis. It became first in the nation legislation, model legislation for the Country and at least 10 other states have replicated this legislation.
I supported, co-sponsored and voted for Medicaid expansion.
I sponsored the legislation that removed the 50% rule in construction, which now means if you renovate over 50% of a home it does not now have to be changed and considered new construction. Saves a great deal of time and money.
I initiated and worked with the City of Nashua, at the request of constituents, to have the bus stop moved closer to the new DHHS Building. It was over a mile away from the building and people had to walk that distance or take a more expensive form of transportation to get to the building. They now have easy access as the new bus stop is at the end of the parking lot to the DHHS building.
I Chaired the Joint Legislative Committee to review and examine DCYF and the committee on Foster Care where we passed legislation to make access to needed health appointments much easier for the child.
I Chaired the Pharmacy Commission, which included insurance companies, pharmacists, nurses, physicians, legislators, where we made birth control much more accessible to young women at a greatly reduced cost.
I worked to negotiate and pass the initial legislation that started the process of increasing support to DCYF and children and families. I facilitated taking a bipartisan group of legislators, the judicial system and members of the Governor's office to NJ to review their child welfare system, which is considered to be the best in the country, and then to bring them here to NH to share with a much larger audience here in NH about ways in which to support and improve our child welfare system. We have implemented many of these programs successfully and continue to tweak and improve our system the NH way and to do this successfully.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

Always be kind!

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

I will always fight for what's right and openness and transparency are critical to good governance. Integrity, respect, dignity, courtesy, kindness...these are tenets I live by.