Candidate Directory

Mark Green

WINNER

Senate District22

Candidate Headshot
Incumbent or New

Incumbent

Party Affiliation

Republican

City

Clarksville

Candidate Email Address

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Candidate is running in a contested General Election.


SURVEY QUESTIONS


SURVEY QUESTION 1:
Would you support or oppose legislation that would prohibit abortion except when necessary to prevent the death of the mother?

Support

SURVEY QUESTION 2:
Would you support or oppose legislation that would make sexual orientation a new protected class under Tennessee’s civil rights laws?

Oppose

SURVEY QUESTION 3:
Would you support or oppose legislation that would make gender identity/expression a new protected class under Tennessee’s civil rights laws?

Oppose

SURVEY QUESTION 4:
Would you support or oppose a bill to amend Tennessee’s marriage statute to expressly authorize the issuance of marriage licenses to two people of the same sex?

Oppose

SURVEY QUESTION 5:
Would you support or oppose legislation that would establish a $15 per hour minimum wage in Tennessee?

Oppose

SURVEY QUESTION 6:
Do you support or oppose the proposition that a person should be allowed by law to use the bathroom or locker room that corresponds to the gender they identify with?

Oppose

SURVEY QUESTION 7:
Would you support or oppose a law creating the office of Solicitor General, a lawyer to serve as the state’s advocate in the court systems, to be appointed by the General Assembly?

Support

SURVEY QUESTION 8:
Do you support or oppose the U.S. Department of Justice redefining the word “sex” to also include gender identity for purposes of Title VII and Title IX?

Oppose

SURVEY QUESTION 9:
Would you support or oppose legislation, like Insure Tennessee, that would expand Medicaid coverage in TN beyond the Medicaid eligible population?

Oppose

SURVEY QUESTION 10:
Would you support or oppose legislation that would prohibit state courts or any local government from ordering a privately owned business to participate in activities associated with solemnization or celebration of a marriage through the provision of goods or services if participating would violate their beliefs regarding the nature of marriage?

Support

SURVEY QUESTION 11:
Do you support or oppose the legalization of marijuana for recreational use?

Oppose

SURVEY QUESTION 12:
Would you support or oppose legislation to award all of Tennessee’s Electors in a presidential election to the Party of the candidate who wins the national popular vote?

Oppose

SURVEY QUESTION 13:
Do you support or oppose the legalization of horse racing tracks in Tennessee at which bets can be placed on races?

Oppose

SURVEY QUESTION 14:
Would you support or oppose a nominee to the TN Supreme Court if there is credible evidence that the nominee believes the state or federal constitution should be viewed or interpreted as a “living” document?

Oppose


ESSAY QUESTIONS


ESSAY QUESTION 1:
Explain your view of state government’s role in relation to economic growth and/or job creation.

First, the government does not create jobs, businesses and particularly small businesses do. However the government through regulation and tax policy can significantly hinder job creation. Further, a failure to provide adequate infrastructure, for example, roads, can seriously hinder the state’s ability to compete for industry locating and bringing jobs to the state.

A great example of how the state hinders jobs with tax policy is our franchise and excise tax formula. Currently, payroll and property value are a part of the formula to calculate a business’ tax. Meaning, as the employer adds one new employee he has to pay more tax. This is a disincentive to growing business and jobs in Tennessee. We need to move to a single sales factor.

Lastly in terms of regulation, onerous licensure laws are an excellent example of governmental barriers to job creation. With 300 hours of training required to shampoo hair, it’s obvious these type regulations block entry into the work force. That’s why I passed my bill, “The Right to Earn a Living Law” which mandated a review of all licensure requirements in Tennessee.

ESSAY QUESTION 2:
Explain your views regarding the roles state government and parents have in elementary and secondary education.

One of my biggest concerns regarding education is the lack of parental involvement. Parents ensure the education continues at home by making students complete assignments and motivating them to excel. We have to find a way to incentivize parental involvement.

I believe that education is a local issue and that local school boards should determine the curriculum, the text books and teaching materials, and even the testing system. Having a single statewide set of comparative analytics serves only one purpose, to report the success of education in the state so the state can recruit industry to the state. Beyond that, I am ok with economies of scale related tasks being completed by the state but should a local community not want to participate they should have the right to opt out of those programs.

ESSAY QUESTION 3:
What is one of the most satisfying things you have ever done or accomplished and what made it so satisfying to you?

I just married off my daughter to a soldier. She and he will now lead a life of service to our country as my wife and I have done. My son is now at Furman University in the ROTC program. He will enter the US Army in 2018 and serve as an infantry officer. Parenting these two children, teaching them that a life of service is what its all about, has been my greatest accomplishment and has brought me my greatest joy.

ESSAY QUESTION 4:
What personal qualities or experiences do you think will best serve you in your role as a state legislator?

I have been a student of leadership all my life, starting at age 17 when I began college at West Point. I understand how to influence people and get their support for issues I feel strongly about. I am also a very good communicator and in persuading other legislators its helpful to be able to articulate in a convincing way, why an issue is important. Further, as a person who has essentially served the nation my entire adult life I can help remind others this is about serving and not being served. (Luke 22). Lastly, as a believer I currently do a devotional for the general assembly that is emailed each week we are in session. I have been told many times it ministers to many of the staff and legislators.

ESSAY QUESTION 5:
What bill passed in the last General Assembly that you would have voted against and why, or what bill did not pass in the last General Assembly that you wish had passed and why?

The voucher bill failed. It should not have. It is a sad reflection on our republican super majority that we have not passed more school choice in Tennessee. We have to get this fixed, ASAP.