State House 61
1. Abortion: Arkansas’ current law that prohibits abortion except to save the life of the mother in a medical emergency.
Garrett Sheeks (Libertarian)
I have personal feelings about abortion and about my intentions if elected to office. My intent upon taking office is not to vote for any major changes to abortion laws specifically without the will of the people. However, I would be open to removing the government's role in ALL individual medical decisions and leaving this social issue to be addressed through society rather than government intervention.
2. Abortion: Establishing a permanent funding stream to provide state-funded grants to charities that provide women with alternatives to abortion.
Garrett Sheeks (Libertarian)
Oppose
Again, I am open to removing the government's role in individual medical decisions. However, this specific issue involves the use of funds acquired through the state's monopoly on the use of force, regardless of an individual's opinion on abortion. Therefore, I am opposed. Voluntarily funded charities, however, are perfectly acceptable.
Again, I am open to removing the government's role in individual medical decisions. However, this specific issue involves the use of funds acquired through the state's monopoly on the use of force, regardless of an individual's opinion on abortion. Therefore, I am opposed. Voluntarily funded charities, however, are perfectly acceptable.
3. Education: The Arkansas LEARNS Act Educational Freedom Accounts that lets families use public dollars to pay for an education at a private school or homeschool.
Garrett Sheeks (Libertarian)
Oppose
Vouchers for education outside of the public school system are an effective way to transition to private or homeschooling, but they should include a sunset provision. Otherwise, you have simply rebuilt the public system with extra steps. Once a child has established themselves outside the public system—or if they have never entered it—their family should no longer receive voucher funding and should also be relieved of the tax burden of supporting the public education system.
Vouchers for education outside of the public school system are an effective way to transition to private or homeschooling, but they should include a sunset provision. Otherwise, you have simply rebuilt the public system with extra steps. Once a child has established themselves outside the public system—or if they have never entered it—their family should no longer receive voucher funding and should also be relieved of the tax burden of supporting the public education system.
4. Drugs: Legalizing recreational marijuana in Arkansas.
Garrett Sheeks (Libertarian)
Support
It is not the government's place or duty to decide what a person consumes. This principle applies just as much to marijuana as it does to a person's right to try non-FDA-approved treatments for illness.
It is not the government's place or duty to decide what a person consumes. This principle applies just as much to marijuana as it does to a person's right to try non-FDA-approved treatments for illness.
5. Tech: Requiring major social media websites to verify all users’ ages in order to protect children on their platforms.
Garrett Sheeks (Libertarian)
Oppose
These regulations have not been proven to protect anyone and are ripe for data collection. It is, and always has been, the responsibility of parents to monitor their children's online activity.
These regulations have not been proven to protect anyone and are ripe for data collection. It is, and always has been, the responsibility of parents to monitor their children's online activity.
6. Gambling: Letting casinos in Arkansas conduct gambling online.
Garrett Sheeks (Libertarian)
Support
It is not the duty of the government to restrict what a person does with their own property.
It is not the duty of the government to restrict what a person does with their own property.
7. Elections: Current ballot initiative efforts to change the Arkansas Constitution to make it easier for private individuals or entities to place measures on the ballot for a statewide vote.
Garrett Sheeks (Libertarian)
Support
So long as the state legislature can place ballot measures on the ballot by fiat, individuals should be free to do the same. Perhaps the better solution is to restrict both.
So long as the state legislature can place ballot measures on the ballot by fiat, individuals should be free to do the same. Perhaps the better solution is to restrict both.
8. Guns: Confiscation of firearms from citizens that the government deem a danger to themselves or others, otherwise known as red flag laws.
Garrett Sheeks (Libertarian)
Oppose
Red flag laws are a dangerous path. When you allow a powerful entity, such as the government or even another individual, to arbitrarily deem someone unfit, you risk being only one bad election or one bitter breakup away from total confiscation or a person being wrongfully killed during a police encounter.
Red flag laws are a dangerous path. When you allow a powerful entity, such as the government or even another individual, to arbitrarily deem someone unfit, you risk being only one bad election or one bitter breakup away from total confiscation or a person being wrongfully killed during a police encounter.
9. Marriage: The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision that legalized same-sex marriage.
Garrett Sheeks (Libertarian)
Support
It is not, nor has it ever been, the duty of the government to dictate whom consenting adults may marry or with whom they may enter into contracts willingly.
It is not, nor has it ever been, the duty of the government to dictate whom consenting adults may marry or with whom they may enter into contracts willingly.