Joe Baca MyOcracy topics and responses

Criminal Justice

Use of treatment centers for violators of criminal laws targeting drug-use

• 07/15/2011: Expunge records for first drug offenders after probation
• 06/22/2000: Voted YES on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons.

  Increase the number of police officers working in high-crime communities

• 01/23/2007: Increase funding for "COPS ON THE BEAT" program

Civil Rights

Support for gun rights

• 10/12/2011: Loosen restrictions on interstate gun purchases
• 01/25/2011: Allow veterans to register unlicensed guns acquired abroad
• 05/18/2010: Teach kids Eddie Eagle GunSafe's lifesaving message
• 10/20/2005: Voted YES on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers
• 04/09/2003: Voted YES on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse

  Prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation

• 03/03/2010: Repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell, and reinstate discharged gays
• 06/24/2009: ENDA: prohibit employment discrimination for gays
• 04/02/2009: Voted YES on enforcing against anti-gay hate crimes
• 11/13/2007: Voted YES on prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation

  Abortion rights: Women should choose

• 05/04/2011: Voted NO on banning federal health coverage that includes abortion
• 02/26/2004: Voted NO on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime
• 10/02/2003: Voted NO on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother`s life

  Support marriage rights between same-sex individuals

• 12/31/2006: by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance
• 07/18/2006: Voted NO on Constitutionally defining marriage as one-man-one-woman
• 09/30/2004: Voted NO on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage

  Ban abortions except in limited cases

• 04/27/2005: Voted YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions

  Abortion rights: Ban all abortions

• 04/05/2000: Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortions

Economic Issues

Taxes for wealthier tax payers: More

• 12/31/2006: by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation
• 12/08/2005: Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends
• 04/18/2002: Voted NO on making the Bush tax cuts permanent
• 05/16/2001: Voted NO on Tax cut package of $958 B over 10 years

  Taxes for large corporations: Increase

• 03/09/2000: Voted NO on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business

  Increase taxes for all tax payers

• 12/31/2003: by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes

  Taxes for wealthier tax payers: Less

• 04/04/2001: Voted YES on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax")

  Implement a flat tax

• 09/23/2004: Voted YES on providing tax relief and simplification

Education Issues

Increase per pupil funding

• 12/31/2003: by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes

  Oppose school vouchers

• 03/30/2011: Voted NO on reauthorizing the DC opportunity scholarship program

Environmental Issues

Oppose off-shore drilling to tap new oil sources

• 05/12/2011: Voted NO on opening Outer Continental Shelf to oil drilling
• 01/18/2007: Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies
• 06/29/2006: Voted YES on keeping moratorium on drilling for oil offshore

  Use tax incentives for wind energy development and use

• 09/26/2008: Voted YES on tax credits for renewable electricity, with PAYGO offsets
• 01/17/2007: Set goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025

  Support cap-and-trade programs to address industrial emissions

• 06/26/2009: Voted YES on enforcing limits on CO2 global warming pollution
• 06/26/2000: Voted YES on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol

  Use tax incentives to promote efficient energy production and conservation

• 05/21/2008: Voted YES on tax incentives for energy production and conservation

  Support domestic continental drilling to tap new oil sources

• 08/01/2001: Voted NO on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR

  Increase tax incentives for solar energy development and use

• 02/12/2008: Voted YES on tax incentives for renewable energy

  Reduce or remove environmental regulations that address oil refinement

• 09/29/2005: Voted YES on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species

Healthcare Issues

Increase amount of children covered by Medicaid reimbursements for health costs

• 01/14/2009: Voted YES on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program
• 01/23/2008: Voted YES on Veto override: Extend SCHIP to cover 6M more kids
• 10/25/2007: Voted YES on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility
• 12/05/2000: Better and immediate funding for Medicare & Medicaid

  Lower eligibility age for Medicare to increase coverage of older taxpayers

• 07/15/2008: Voted YES on overriding veto on expansion of Medicare
• 06/28/2000: Prescription drug benefit within Medicare

  Establish government-assisted non-profit organizations from which all taxpayers would obtain health insurance

• 12/31/2003: by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record

Immigration

Allow in-state tuition at public universities and colleges for undocumented students

• 05/20/2004: Voted NO on reporting illegal aliens who receive hospital treatment