C14 Sunday, July 15, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal
2018 PRIMARY VOTERS GUIDE D E M O C R AT
KANSAS HOUSE — 50TH DISTRICT: DAN BRENNAN Why are you running for the Kansas House? I am running so that my opponent, the incumbent, my current representative, can spend more time with his family and law practice, as well as attend to the duties of his position on the school board. He works hard at making sure children in the school district have everything they need to be successful at learning and he is a true role model with his generous giving back to our community. Me? I would like to give back by serving, and representing, the citizens of the 50th district to the Kansas State House of Representatives. What do you think about Kansas lowering (2012) and raising (2017) the state income taxes while hiking the sales tax rate (2015)? It was foolish to exempt and lower income tax rates in 2012. The sales tax hike in 2015 was necessary to patch lost revenue due to the results of the failed Brownback experiment. In 2017 the Income taxes were raised as a response. We need a fourth, and possibly even a fifth, income tax bracket and reduce to 0 the sales tax on food. Do you believe the $525 million, five-year school finance plan adopted by the 2018 Legislature complies with the Kansas Constitution? I think it falls short and implementation is delayed for far too long. Funding is still inadequate and has been for several years. Those are years that our current students have been shorted already. It is past the time to fully fund our schools.
Is it necessary for legislators and Kansas voters to amend the state constitution to limit the power of the judicial branch to dictate levels of state aid to public school districts? It’s not necessary. We should fund schools well, equitably and equally, adjusted for lots of weighted circumstances, some possibly unique even. If we fund schools adequately and well, then there would be no judicial decisions on school funding.
when deciding on locating here or not. We need the best roads, airports and rails available.
Why should, or why shouldn’t, the state government in Kansas expand eligibility for Medicaid? If expanded, do you support work or training requirements for “able-bodied” recipients? Yes, we should have expanded Medicaid at the beginning of the Affordable Care Act. And we should do so now until something better can be crafted. We could do so, craft something better, at the state level if we had the will and the foresight to see what could be.
How would you reform state law regarding availability of abortion services? I don’t believe we need anymore restrictions placed on the availability of a safe, legal abortion. In fact, I feel that there are too many restrictions placed on women who need health services in general.
Hundreds of millions of dollars are being diverted from the state’s highway program to support the government’s base budget. How is this appropriate or not? It is not appropriate. Those funds will always be needed for highway projects including any future projects that will require funding. Now we will have to look ahead and restore funding quick enough to keep our highways in excellent shape. That would be what a business looks at
In what ways should Kansas firearm laws be modified to address violent crime? Violence is often a symptom of poverty. Gun violence is a symptom of a gun culture mixed with poverty. Let’s work at ways in which we can begin to reduce poverty first and perhaps the violence with guns will be reduced as well.
Is it necessary for Kansas to follow other states with term limits for House and Senate members? If so, what do you propose? If not, why not? I am not aware of any reason to support term limits imposed by law. I feel the voters can make wise enough decisions to changing out their representatives at the ballot box when desired. How would you improve public reporting by the governor on results from large state tax breaks awarded companies that move a business to Kansas or promise to remain and increase jobs?
DAN BRENNAN
Town of residence: Topeka Party affiliation: Democrat Age: 63 Job: Executive director of Capital City Equality Center Prior elected offices: Precinct committeeman
I believe there are better incentives that can be offered that would not involve large tax breaks. Make the state more attractive and that would incentivize even more companies to move into the state. The more businesses that move into our state creates more economic activity and revenue to the state then as a result allowing the state to then reduce property tax and later even provide more tax relief as well.
REPUBLICAN
KANSAS HOUSE — 50TH DISTRICT: FRED PATTON Why are you running for the Kansas House? When I first ran for the House, I was concerned about the direction our state was headed. Since being elected, I have worked across the political spectrum and served as a voice for common sense solutions so that we could begin to get our state back on track. While we have made progress on balancing the budget, restoring tax fairness, and funding our schools, we still have a lot of work to do to make Kansas a place future generations want to live, work, and raise their families. What do you think about Kansas lowering (2012) and raising (2017) the state income taxes while hiking the sales tax rate (2015)? Our state, our schools, and our economy faced very serious challenges after implementation of the 2012 Brownback tax plan — challenges that required real revenue reform from the Legislature. In 2017, I supported the proposal that reversed a portion of the Brownback tax plan. We have now put Kansas on a sustainable course that provides stability to our families, our seniors, our schools, and our businesses. I voted against the sales tax increase in 2015. As revenues stabilize thanks to the action in 2017, the Legislature should begin reducing our high sales tax rate, especially on food and other necessities. Do you believe the $525 million, fiveyear school finance plan adopted by the 2018 Legislature complies with the Kansas Constitution? As Chairman of the House K-12 Budget Committee, I am proud of the work we have accomplished regarding school finance. We passed a bipartisan bill that, when combined with the additional funding allocated last year, will increase annual state funding for our schools by nearly $825 million above 2017 funding levels. This amount is in line with testimony received by the committee over the past two years from our schools and our State Board of Education. These additional dollars will make a significant difference to schools across our state and can be paid for without a tax increase.
Is it necessary for legislators and Kansas voters to amend the state constitution to limit the power of the judicial branch to dictate levels of state aid to public school districts? I respect the decision Kansans made in 1966 to add the current language to our constitution. However, I don’t agree with the plaintiff’s attorney when he said all other areas of the state budget should suffer to fund schools, which is what would happen without a significant tax increase. Over the past two years, we have added nearly $825 million more in school funding. If the Court finds this additional funding is still unconstitutional, then it may be time to again ask Kansans if they want to change the constitution in some manner or leave it the same. Why should, or why shouldn’t, the state government in Kansas expand eligibility for Medicaid? If expanded, do you support work or training requirements for “able- bodied” recipients? Improving access to health care is extremely important to our state. We must also maintain quality and cost effectiveness. The Legislature and Governor should work together on a Kansas specific solution to improve our health care system and save our hospitals which could include expanding the state’s KanCare program in a responsible way. Any program should include work and training requirements for “able-bodied” recipients. We should also provide additional resources to our safety net clinics and mental health systems. These investments in providing better access will improve both the health of Kansans and the Kansas economy. Hundreds of millions of dollars are being diverted from the state’s highway program to support the government’s base budget. How is this appropriate or not? The Legislature began sweeping transportation dollars to fund general government expenses when the Brownback tax plan failed to work. Given the sharp decline in revenues, the only way to fund state government was to take dollars from areas such as the highway fund. Thanks to the reversal of the Brownback tax plan, we are able to begin addressing some of
the shortfalls from the past six years, including significantly reducing the amount of funding taken from the highway program. Moving forward, we must end the reliance on highway dollars to fund general state government. In what ways should Kansas firearm laws be modified to address violent crime? I am not in favor of allowing criminals to possess guns. Unfortunately, we know that criminals do not follow the law. We should give law enforcement additional resources to enforce our laws and to remove guns from violent criminals. Many violent crimes are caused by individuals with mental health issues. We need to do a better job of providing services to those who are facing these challenges. We have some great providers in our community, but they lack the resources to meet the overwhelming needs before them. The state must make addressing the mental health crisis a priority. How would you reform state law regarding availability of abortion services? I am Pro-Life and am proud of the work we have done to protect the most innocent amongst us. We must continue to identify the issues parents face when in a difficult situation and then undertake efforts to address those needs. We must also address our adoption and foster care programs so that adoption is accessible and affordable for more families. While we have begun to see some positive change, we have a long way to go. Far too many children in our system are waiting for a loving, permanent home. Is it necessary for Kansas to follow other states with term limits for House and Senate members? If so, what do you propose? If not, why not? I trust the people of Kansas to elect legislators who have the state’s best interests at heart. During my few years in the Legislature, I have already witnessed significant turnover. I have appreciated the historical prospective some of the longer serving members of the Legislature have provided me and my colleagues. I believe we need a good balance of members with fresh ideas and members with experience. In states
FRED PATTON (incumbent)
Town of residence: Topeka Party affiliation: Republican Age: 44 Job: Attorney Prior elected offices: Kansas House; Seaman School District Board of Education president
with term limits, often lobbyists and special interest groups have more power because they are the only ones with experience in the process. We don’t want that to happen in Kansas. How would you improve public reporting by the governor on the results from large state tax breaks awarded companies that move a business to Kansas or promise to remain and increase jobs? As President Lincoln stated, “Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” With technology, it has become relatively easy for people to observe and interact with their government online. The same should be true with economic development incentives. Companies should be held accountable to achieve the targets set forth when they are provided tax breaks or financial incentives. One way to make sure that happens is to involve the public by posting online terms of incentive packages along with progress reports measuring the companies’ progress toward meeting the contractually required targets.
D E M O C R AT
KANSAS HOUSE — 55TH DISTRICT: ANNIE KUETHER Why are you running for the Kansas House? I am running because I would like to continue to serve the people of the 55th District and to return Kansas to its former status….a wonderful place to raise a family, get a great education, enjoy the arts and sciences and to travel on excellent roads and to take care of our most vulnerable people, children and the elderly. What do you think about Kansas lowering (2012) and raising (2017) the state income taxes while hiking the sales tax rate (2015)? The Brownback 2012 tax policy almost destroyed our state and its ability to even fund the most basic needs. The 2017 restoration helped to jump start our economy and yet our taxes are still at a lower level than we had in 2012. We can now begin to fund services for children, Veterans, KBI, raises for state employees – such as Corrections officers, who have been ignored by this Administration. Do you believe the $525 million, fiveyear school finance plan adopted by the 2018 Legislature complies with the Kansas Constitution? I don’t believe that the education bill is quite enough. As in most jobs, one likes to keep up with inflation and our funding over the years has not done that. We are losing educators to other states with better pay and respect for teachers. If we were doing a better job, and
funded education as we should have, since 2005, we would not be needing any Court opinion(s). Children represent the future of this state. We should be doing right by them. Is it necessary for legislators and Kansas voters to amend the state constitution to limit power of the judicial branch to dictate levels of state aid to public school districts? I heard the testimony for this Constitutional amendment in the House Judiciary Committee. I voted against it. There is a reason for the three branches of Government, and it is all about checks and balances. Why should, or why shouldn’t, the state government in Kansas expand eligibility for Medicaid? If expanded, do you support work or training requirements for “able-bodied” recipients? Expansion of Medicaid is the right thing to do. It would help to insure over 100,000 Kansans with OUR TAX dollars. Right now, those tax dollars are being used be other states….we have lost millions of Kansas tax dollars. It would help health care costs, keep people healthier, and create jobs. Having more people being able to work means a more stable economy for the state. Hundreds of millions of dollars are being diverted from the state’s highway program to support the government’s base budget. How is this appropriate or not?
Due to the Brownback 2012 tax cuts, our Highway fund turned into the “Bank of KDOT”, which is just wrong. Taking money from our roads to pay for the fundamental functions of Kansas government is just wrong. I look forward to turning this practice around. In what ways should Kansas firearm laws be modified to address violent crime? I support the 2nd amendment but I also believe in responsible ownership. I do support background checks and training for concealcarry. I view these steps in a similar light as getting a license to drive a car….very basic rules…to operate something that can kill. With the awareness of mental health concerns, I think these make sense. We stopped a law lowering the age to 18 on college campuses and passed one to keep guns out of the hands of those who are domestic abusers. I am also realistic enough to understand that this will not stop all violent crime. How would you reform state law regarding availability of abortion services? Abortion is legal. Health care rights should be equal and be an issue between the doctor and the patient. Is it necessary for Kansas to follow other states with term limits for House and Senate members? If so, what do you propose? If not, why not?
OTHER CANDIDATES Democrat Joseph Stringer, who is running for the Kansas House, 55th District, didn’t return the questionnaire.
ANNIE KUETHER (incumbent)
Town of residence: Topeka Party affiliation: Democrat Age: 66 Job: Retired Prior elected offices: Kansas House
Term limits destroy institutional memory. Serving in the legislature starts with a steep learning curve. By the time you have your feet on the ground, your time may be up. It is important to know your state’s history. Kansas has always had a high, natural turn over in the statehouse. This year is no different with 57 seats up for change. House members are up for election every 2 years and the outcomes come from the voting booth.