State House 69
1. Abortion: Arkansas’ current law that prohibits abortion except to save the life of the mother in a medical emergency.
Dean Hunter (Democrat)
Oppose
Law written by politicians now has Arkansas Maternal Mortality equal to what it was in 1965
Law written by politicians now has Arkansas Maternal Mortality equal to what it was in 1965
David Ray (Republican)
Support
I support Arkansas's current pro-life laws, and I am proud that our state is the #1 most pro-life state in America.
I support Arkansas's current pro-life laws, and I am proud that our state is the #1 most pro-life state in America.
2. Abortion: Establishing a permanent funding stream to provide state-funded grants to charities that provide women with alternatives to abortion.
Dean Hunter (Democrat)
Support
Maternal medical care, pre and post-natal nutrition support, early child care could all support Pro-Life post birth.
Maternal medical care, pre and post-natal nutrition support, early child care could all support Pro-Life post birth.
David Ray (Republican)
Support
I am undecided on whether a grant program or a tax credit is the best method to supporting pregnancy resource centers, but I would support one of these methods.
I am undecided on whether a grant program or a tax credit is the best method to supporting pregnancy resource centers, but I would support one of these methods.
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.
Dean Hunter (Democrat)
Undecided
Establishing income limits and limiting the option to parents in low scoring schools could curb the runaway cost. Funding should be diverted to Public Education.
Establishing income limits and limiting the option to parents in low scoring schools could curb the runaway cost. Funding should be diverted to Public Education.
David Ray (Republican)
Support
I was a proud co-sponsor and supporter of the LEARNS Act. I believe the EFA program is vital to reforming education, and I am a strong supporter of school choice.
I was a proud co-sponsor and supporter of the LEARNS Act. I believe the EFA program is vital to reforming education, and I am a strong supporter of school choice.
4. Drugs: Legalizing recreational marijuana in Arkansas.
Dean Hunter (Democrat)
Oppose
Studies consistently show detrimental effects of recreational marijuana. Legalizing it lends an impression that it is safe, when it is not.
Studies consistently show detrimental effects of recreational marijuana. Legalizing it lends an impression that it is safe, when it is not.
5. Tech: Requiring major social media websites to verify all users’ ages in order to protect children on their platforms.
David Ray (Republican)
Support
We need to be mindful that the U.S. Constitution restricts the extent to which states can regulate interstate commerce, but I believe this is a positive and reasonable goal, and would support a bill that I felt was constitutional.
We need to be mindful that the U.S. Constitution restricts the extent to which states can regulate interstate commerce, but I believe this is a positive and reasonable goal, and would support a bill that I felt was constitutional.
6. Gambling: Letting casinos in Arkansas conduct gambling online.
Dean Hunter (Democrat)
Support
I have seen no evidence that gambling access has boosted the wellbeing of a community, but that horse is already out the barn.
I have seen no evidence that gambling access has boosted the wellbeing of a community, but that horse is already out the barn.
David Ray (Republican)
Oppose
Arkansas already has brick-and-mortar casinos as well as online sports betting. I do not support expanding into so-called "i-gaming," or internet casino games.
Arkansas already has brick-and-mortar casinos as well as online sports betting. I do not support expanding into so-called "i-gaming," or internet casino games.
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.
David Ray (Republican)
Oppose
I believe that the initiative process should be thorough and robust in order to guard against fraud and ensure that the will of the voters is truly reflected in the outcome. This means our system should have commonsense guardrails -- more than what currently exists.
I believe that the initiative process should be thorough and robust in order to guard against fraud and ensure that the will of the voters is truly reflected in the outcome. This means our system should have commonsense guardrails -- more than what currently exists.
8. Guns: Confiscation of firearms from citizens that the government deem a danger to themselves or others, otherwise known as red flag laws.
Dean Hunter (Democrat)
Undecided
specifics of this should be scrutinized. the best thing to stop a bad guy with a gun, is to stop him from getting a gun. Child gun death is a blight on the country.
specifics of this should be scrutinized. the best thing to stop a bad guy with a gun, is to stop him from getting a gun. Child gun death is a blight on the country.
David Ray (Republican)
Oppose
We must protect the due process of gun owners, and I have serious doubts that so-called "red flag laws" are constitutional under the 2nd Amendment.
We must protect the due process of gun owners, and I have serious doubts that so-called "red flag laws" are constitutional under the 2nd Amendment.
9. Marriage: The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision that legalized same-sex marriage.
Dean Hunter (Democrat)
Support
this falls under the first amendment and separation of church and state
this falls under the first amendment and separation of church and state
David Ray (Republican)
Oppose
I believe the U.S. Supreme Court erred in their Obergefell ruling. This is a policy issue that should be determined by the states and/or the Congress of the United States.
I believe the U.S. Supreme Court erred in their Obergefell ruling. This is a policy issue that should be determined by the states and/or the Congress of the United States.