Cathleen A. Fountain
Candidate for State Senate · District 1 · Democrat
Flagged: DSA Preferred Candidate
Graded Comrade. Took the Democratic Socialists of America position on 8 of the 9 survey questions they answered clearly, out of 11 scored.
Cathleen A. FountainD
Not an incumbent. No voting record. Their Citizens Count profile
Comrade
88.9%
8 of 9 answers
answered 9 of 11
This score comes from a questionnaire, not from votes. Cathleen A. Fountain holds no seat and has cast no roll calls. The scorecard scores votes.
By issue area
- Raise Taxes to Expand GovernmentFrom the Economic Democracy section of the DSA program66.7%2/3
- Grow the State BudgetFrom the Economic Democracy section of the DSA program100%2/2
- Defend the Public School MonopolyFrom the Freedom To Flourish section of the DSA program100%2/2
- Green New Deal Energy MandatesFrom the Green New Deal section of the DSA program100%1/1
- Gender Identity Over Biological SexFrom the Feminism For All section of the DSA program100%1/1
Every answer that counted (9)
The question wording is Citizens Count’s. The “aligned answer” column is the answer a DSA-aligned candidate would give, taken from the plank named beside it. Anything Cathleen A. Fountain wrote under an answer is quoted in full, unedited.
| Question | Their answer | Aligned answer | Counted as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broad-based income taxShould NH add an income tax on earned income?Raise Taxes to Expand Government · Economic Democracy"We need to restore the revenue resources that have been reduced or eliminated before anyone thinks of adding on something new. As one that has worked in business and finance, you always ensure that you have the revenue stream that is needed. You cannot reduce that stream and expect to continue with the same expenditures without some consequence of failing to meet one's budget, and be in the red." | Against | For | Not aligned |
| Interest and Dividends taxShould New Hampshire reinstate the interest and dividends tax?Raise Taxes to Expand Government · Economic Democracy"Yes, New Hampshire should reinstate the Interest and Dividends Tax. We need to restore the Interest and Dividends Tax because it was a resource that helped support New Hampshire and its programs. This system was already in place, and it worked. The tax provided a source of revenue that helped fund important services while maintaining New Hampshire's commitment to limited broad-based taxation. Restoring this tax would bring back a proven funding mechanism that contributed to the state's financial stability. As New Hampshire faces growing needs for infrastructure, education, public safety, and services for residents, it makes sense to revisit a revenue source that was already part of the state's framework. Rather than creating something new, we should restore a system that had been in play and provided value. Reinstating the Interest and Dividends Tax would help ensure that New Hampshire has the resources needed to support its programs and meet future challenges responsibly." | For | For | Aligned |
| Business tax decreaseShould New Hampshire lower business taxes?Raise Taxes to Expand Government · Economic Democracy"No, New Hampshire should not lower business taxes. In fact, I believe we need to restore the business tax rates that were previously reduced. Those revenues are important to maintaining the services, infrastructure, and programs that keep New Hampshire strong and help our economy grow. At the same time, we should do more to support small businesses and entrepreneurs. The goal should be to provide a hand up, not a handout. New and growing businesses need opportunities to succeed, and targeted support can help them get established and reach their full potential. I support creating policies that give small businesses relief and assistance until they reach a reasonable revenue or growth threshold. Once businesses are established and thriving, they can contribute their fair share to support the state and the communities in which they operate. The focus should be on building a strong economy that works for everyone by restoring a sustainable business tax structure while helping small businesses grow, create jobs, and succeed." | Against | Against | Aligned |
| Fund the Office of the Child AdvocateShould New Hampshire restore funding for the Office of the Child Advocate?Grow the State Budget · Economic Democracy"Yes, I support restoring funding for the Office of the Child Advocate. The Office of the Child Advocate serves an important role in protecting some of New Hampshire's most vulnerable children. Its responsibility is to provide independent oversight of child welfare, juvenile justice, and youth care systems and to ensure that children's interests are being protected. While I understand the need for fiscal responsibility, protecting children should be a priority. When funding reductions limit the office's ability to perform its duties, it becomes harder to provide the oversight and accountability that families and taxpayers expect. I believe New Hampshire should restore the resources necessary for the Office of the Child Advocate to fully carry out its mission. Just as we expect accountability from government agencies, we should also ensure that independent oversight exists to identify problems early, improve services, and protect children who often have no voice of their own. Supporting the Office of the Child Advocate is not simply an expense. It is an investment in the safety, well-being, and future of New Hampshire's children." | For | For | Aligned |
| School district tax cap mandateShould state law cap how much local school districts can increase their budget each year?Grow the State Budget · Economic Democracy"No, I do not support a state-mandated cap on how much local school districts can increase their budget each year. Every school district faces different challenges, costs, and educational needs. A one-size-fits-all cap imposed by the state would limit the ability of local communities to make decisions that are in the best interest of their students and taxpayers. We already place too much of the burden for funding public education on local property taxpayers. Rather than restricting school districts with an arbitrary budget cap, we should focus on creating a more balanced funding partnership between local communities, the State of New Hampshire, and the federal government. I believe in fiscal responsibility and transparency, but those decisions should remain in the hands of local voters and school districts. Communities should have the flexibility to invest in their schools when necessary, while ensuring accountability for how taxpayer dollars are spent. The answer is not to impose state limits on local education budgets. The answer is to build a fairer funding system that reduces the burden on property owners while providing students with the resources they need to succeed." | Against | Against | Aligned |
| "Education Freedom Account" programDo you support the “Education Freedom Account” program, which gives students access to the per-pupil share of state school funding to spend on private school or home school expenses?Defend the Public School Monopoly · Freedom To Flourish"No, I do not support the Education Freedom Account program in its current form. New Hampshire has a responsibility to adequately fund public education, and our public schools should remain the priority for state education funding. When state education dollars are redirected away from public schools and into private school or homeschool expenses, it reduces the resources available to the schools that serve the vast majority of our students. I believe parents should have choices in how their children are educated, but those choices should not come at the expense of public schools that communities rely on every day. We already place too much of the burden for public education on local property taxpayers. Diverting public education funds into voucher-style programs can make that challenge even greater. Our focus should be on strengthening public schools, ensuring they are adequately funded, and creating a fair partnership between local communities, the State of New Hampshire, and the federal government. Strong public schools benefit all of our communities and remain the foundation of educational opportunity for every student." | Against | Against | Aligned |
| Public school open enrollment with limitsShould New Hampshire allow at least 10% of students in each school district to enroll in a different public school, regardless of where they live?Defend the Public School Monopoly · Freedom To Flourish"No, not as a mandated statewide requirement. While families should have opportunities to find the best educational fit for their children, requiring every district to accept a minimum percentage of out-of-district students could create unintended consequences for local schools and taxpayers. School districts vary greatly in size, capacity, and resources, and decisions about enrollment should remain primarily at the local level. I support providing parents with options, but those options must be balanced with protecting the financial stability of local school districts and ensuring that existing students are not adversely affected. Any open enrollment program should be voluntary, based on available capacity, and structured in a way that is fair to both sending and receiving districts." | Against | Against | Aligned |
| Expand net metering opportunitiesDo you support legislation to expand the net energy metering system capacity cap from 1 MW to 5 MW for all residential and commercial customers in New Hampshire?Green New Deal Energy Mandates · Green New Deal"Yes, I support expanding net energy metering opportunities in New Hampshire. Quite a few residents and businesses, especially here in the North Country, have made significant investments in solar energy to reduce their reliance on traditional power sources and lower their energy costs. They should have a fair opportunity to receive credit for the excess electricity they generate and return to the grid. Expanding the net metering capacity cap from 1 MW to 5 MW would encourage greater energy independence, support local investment in renewable energy, and help make solar projects more practical for both residential and commercial customers. It would also provide additional opportunities for communities, farms, and small businesses to manage their energy costs and become more self-sufficient. I believe New Hampshire should be creating opportunities, not barriers, for residents who want to invest in clean, locally generated energy. Expanding net metering is a common-sense way to support economic growth, strengthen energy resilience, and ensure that the North Country and all of New Hampshire have access to the benefits of solar power." | For | For | Aligned |
| Allow segregation based on biological sexShould New Hampshire’s anti-discrimination law allow segregation based on biological sex in some settings, such as bathrooms and locker rooms?Gender Identity Over Biological Sex · Feminism For All"No, I do not support changing New Hampshire's anti-discrimination laws to allow segregation based on biological sex in settings such as bathrooms and locker rooms. I believe this type of legislation creates a problem where one does not currently exist and, in practice, often results in restricting the rights and access of transgender individuals who are simply trying to go about their daily lives. New Hampshire has a long tradition of respecting personal freedom and treating people with dignity and respect. I do not believe government should be creating barriers that single out or discriminate against people based on who they are. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in public spaces. If specific safety or privacy concerns arise, they should be addressed through practical solutions that protect everyone's privacy and dignity without targeting a particular group of people. My focus is on ensuring that all New Hampshire residents are treated fairly under the law. I do not support creating additional restrictions that divide communities or limit access for transgender individuals when there is little evidence that such measures address a widespread problem." | Against | Against | Aligned |
Left out of the score (2)
“Undecided”, “Other” and unanswered questions are excluded from the arithmetic, exactly as an absence is excluded on a roll call. None of these counted against Cathleen A. Fountain.
- Majority of public school funding through local property taxesNo response
- Proof of citizenship for newly registered votersUndecided
Photo via Cathleen A. Fountain’s Citizens Count profile.
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Granite Solutions rating, from published candidate survey answers. Not a DSA endorsement. Methodology