C16 Sunday, July 15, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal
2018 PRIMARY VOTERS GUIDE REPUBLICAN
KANSAS HOUSE — 54TH DISTRICT: KEN CORBET Why are you running for the Kansas House? Rural Kansans need someone who is willing to stand up for them. I have lived in this area my entire life. My wife, Bev, and I met here, raised a family here, and built a business right here in the 54th district. My job in the House is to the represent the people and values of the 54th district. Those values are who I am and I’m honored to fight for my friends and neighbors in the Kansas House. What do you think about Kansas lowering (2012) and raising (2017) the state income taxes while hiking the sales tax rate (2015)? I believe in low taxes across the board. When I’m out talking to the people of the 54th district they don’t tell me they want higher taxes. Instead I hear complaints about income, sales, and property taxes. In order to lower taxes we need to operate state government more efficiently. Whether a family budget or the budget of our family business you simply cannot spend more money than you bring in. When that starts to happen it is time to tighten your belt and find ways to save. Unfortunately it does not work that way in government. There are people across the 54th district struggling to make ends meet. We owe it to them to reduce their tax burden and ensure that their government is operating responsibly. Do you believe the $525 million, fiveyear school finance plan adopted by the 2018 Legislature complies with the Kansas Constitution? There is nothing more important than our kids and they deserve a quality education. We spend over $5 billion a year on K-12 which amounts to over $13,000 per student. Our focus should be on using those funds to provide an innovative, student focused education system that best prepares our kids to eventually enter the workforce. We invest over half of our state
budget into K-12. There should be no question our school finance plan is constitutional. 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? The school funding debate has been dragging on for decades costing millions of dollars. Over half the state budget goes to public school districts. This constant litigation needs to end and the focus needs to shift to how best use the billions of dollars in the K-12 system. That cannot happen until the uncertainty of these legal battles end. The only way that can happen is if the people of Kansas decide, via constitutional amendment, how they want schools to be funded going forward. 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? I oppose expanding Medicaid/Obamacare in Kansas. Medicaid is a safety net program, expanding this program turns it from a safety net program to a program covering able bodied adults. The better option is to create an economy where these individuals can find gainful employment. Thankfully Kansas is experiencing record low unemployment. In addition state after state that has expanded Medicaid under Obamacare has seen costs far exceed expectations. There are estimates that expansion in Kansas will cost the state $1.1 billion over 10 years. It will likely cost much more than this. We simply cannot afford this extra cost without another significant tax increase. 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?
Any parent can tell you that when it comes to creating the family budget you have to prioritize. Our highways and infrastructure are important. Thankfully Kansas has some of the best roads in the country and we should keep them that way. At the same time every year when the legislature passes a budget we have a duty to look at needs across the board and prioritize accordingly. In what ways should Kansas firearm laws be modified to address violent crime? Firearms are objects. Just like a hammer or a car. Violent crime is caused by people, not by an object. Rather than pass new laws affecting law abiding gun owners there needs to be a focus on real solutions. New security protocols in schools including armed security, a focus on mental health, greater emphasis on detecting threats, and a coordinated effort to combat street gangs are real solutions to addressing violent crime. How would you reform state law regarding availability of abortion services? I am 100% pro-life. I am proud to have helped make Kansas one of the most pro-life states in the country. We all have a duty to protect defenseless children. 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’m a small business owner, not a career politician. I support amending the Kansas constitution so no one can serve more than 8 years in the Kansas House or Senate. The Kansas legislature is meant to be a citizen legislature, not a career. How would you improve public reporting by the governor on the results from large
KEN CORBET (incumbent)
Town of residence: Topeka Party affiliation: Republican Age: 69 Job: Owner/operator of Ravenwood Lodge Prior elected offices: Kansas House, 2013-present
state tax breaks awarded companies that move a business to Kansas or promise to remain and increase jobs? We need increased transparency in this area. Government should create an overall favorable business climate to attract new businesses and increase jobs. Government should not pick winners and losers by awarding enormous giveaways to a select few, connected, corporate interests. All business incentive packages need to be thoroughly vetted. In addition there needs to be ongoing analysis to determine the effectiveness of the program. I also advocate that strings be attached to these funds to prevent corporations from taking the money and running. Finally there needs to be safeguards to prevent any incentives being provided to interests engaging in shady practices such as having a history of tax evasion or hiring illegal aliens.
D E M O C R AT
KANSAS HOUSE — 56TH DISTRICT: VIRGIL WEIGEL Why are you running for the Kansas House? I am running for the Kansas House 56th district to continue the work we started in 2017-2018 session; school funding, more transparency in government, increasing reimbursement rates for HCBS providers; restore 3 million dollars for seniors care; restore funding to KDOT for better roads and bridges and fighting for sales tax relief on food. Also provide more assistance to our veterans. What do you think about Kansas lowering (2012) and raising (2017) the state income taxes while hiking the sales tax rate (2015)? Taxes raised in 2017 (back to 2012 level) eliminated never-ending budget deficits by the Brownback administration experiment, and taking money from KDOT and not fully funding KPERS properly. Compared to 2012 tax rates, every taxpayer is paying a smaller percentage rate for each income tax bracket now than they did in 2012. Do you believe the $525 million, fiveyear school finance plan adopted by the 2018 Legislature complies with the Kansas Constitution? The $525 million - five year school finance bill passed probably will not meet all requirements but is a good faith effort to fix school funding and will need more work to comply with the Kansas courts.
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? No. (limitation of judicial power for school funding)
In what ways should Kansas firearm laws be modified to address violent crime? Kansas firearm laws are fine — no modifications are necessary. We need tougher enforcement of violent offenders and longer sentences for repeat violent felons.
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? Kansas should expand eligibility for Medicaid to give over 150,000 uninsured Kansans health care coverage. I support work/ training programs for recipients under strict guidelines. Expansion will also help rural and small hospitals in Kansas to stay open.
How would you reform state law regarding availability of abortion services? State abortion laws are adequate in their present form.
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? We have to stop the bleeding of money out of KDOT road projects to fund other state agencies or balance the budget. Our highways and bridges are vital to the Kansas economy and we cannot allow continued disrepair of roads and bridges which grows our communities and makes travel more safe by periodic repairs and replacement of roads and bridges.
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 don't know if it is necessary for term limits or not in Kansas-just to follow other states legislation. I do believe we should have a conversation about term limits in this state and let voters have a voice in this discussion. 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? I believe the governor’s office should always be transparent upfront to voters on reporting of large or not so large tax breaks awarded to companies that move their business to
VIRGIL WEIGEL (incumbent)
Town of residence: Topeka Party affiliation: Democrat Age: 65 Job: Retired state enforcement agent Prior elected offices: Kansas House, 2013-2014 and 2017-18
Kansas. And how many jobs will be created, wages of employees and long term goals of the company (expansion and spin-off companies)
REPUBLICAN
KANSAS HOUSE — 56TH DISTRICT: MICHAEL SNOWDEN Why are you running for the Kansas House? I will be a strong, effective voice for the voters in our district. I am passionate about our community. I want to see a change in the culture and makeup of the legislature. I want to help bring compassion and common sense to the Capitol. One of my concerns is that the Kansas foster care system is not working. I would also like to see our public schools fully funded, where more money ends up in the classroom. What do you think about Kansas lowering (2012) and raising (2017) the state income taxes while hiking the sales tax rate (2015)? Raising taxes makes it difficult for hard working Kansans to buy the things that their families need each week. We need to make it easier, not harder, for people to buy groceries, clothing, and other necessities. The state government serves an important role in many areas, but the state government has grown too large. With responsible budgeting and less spending, we can improve the quality of life in Kansas and revitalize our economy. Do you believe the $525 million, fiveyear school finance plan adopted by the 2018 Legislature complies with the Kansas Constitution? Our children need a quality education. A quality education should be our priority. This plan may or may not technically comply with the constitution, but if we do not address the main issue of quality education for our
children, then we have missed the point. Is it necessary for legislators and Kansas voters to amend the state constitution to the limit power of the judicial branch to dictate the levels of state aid to public school districts? The Kansas Constitution states “The legislature shall make suitable provision for finance of the educational interests of the state.” We need to make sure all children get an equal opportunity for a quality education even if they are not in a wealth district. The court doesn’t get to set a dollar amount. The Court is meant to function as a check on the legislature and is responsible for making sure that the legislature upholds its constitutional mandate. However, the constitution is vague in defining what “suitable” means which has caused some issues in recent years. I will be talking with people in the district to find out their opinions on the matter. 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? A bill to expand Medicaid passed the legislature but was ultimately vetoed. I have serious concerns about an expansion for able bodied recipients that we cannot afford. If we are going to continue this conversation, I think we should hear directly from the voters which is what I intend to do as I go door to door. 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? We cannot continue to shuffle money around to try to balance the budget, nor can we spend more than we have. It’s time to stop spending and to start looking at areas we can save in. I promise to listen to the voters in my district and fight for them in the legislature. In what ways should the Kansas firearm laws be modified to address violent crime? I think we need to look past laws and look at the break down of the family. Violent crimes are often committed by those who have lived in broken homes, or didn’t get their basic needs met early in life. We also need to look at how to improve our mental health systems. How would you reform state law regarding availability of abortion services? Every life is precious and has value if elected, I will stand up for the voiceless and defend for the rights of the unborn. 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? In Kansas we have term limits, they’re called elections. How would you improve public reporting by the governor on the results from large state tax breaks awarded companies that move a
MICHAEL SNOWDEN
Party affiliation: Republican Town of residence: Topeka Age: 24 Job: Worship pastor, First Assembly of God Prior elected offices: None
business to Kansas or promise to remain and increase jobs? If we award tax breaks to companies that move to Kansas, we need to have clear measures showing that they are contributing to the overall prosperity of the state. I think the anyone should be able to access to how many jobs were created and how much revenue was brought in as opposed to how much revenue would have been lost for the duration of the period of tax cuts.