C8 Sunday, July 15, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal
2018 PRIMARY VOTERS GUIDE REPUBLICAN
KANSAS GOVERNOR: KRIS KOBACH Why are you seeking the nomination for governor? Growing up in Topeka and today, I’ve been frustrated seeing how politicians in the Capitol never change the way things are done. I am going to end the culture of corruption by demanding that legislative committees record every vote, by pushing for term limits, and by decreasing state spending so taxpayers get some relief. Kansans are being taxed to death, and I want to create a Kansas where my daughters can afford to raise their own families in the future. What do you think about Kansas lowering (2012) and raising (2017) the state income taxes while hiking the sales tax rate (2015)? Brownback and Colyer refused to cut spending in 2012. You have to cut spending when you cut taxes. Our sales taxes are 8th highest in the nation. Being the high tax state in the five-state region has consequences. Kansas was one of three states with negative growth last year. If we want Kansas to be a place our children and grandchildren thrive, we have to get spending under control so we can lower income, sales, and property tax rates. As Governor, I’ll work to lower all three. I’m the only candidate to sign a No Tax Hike pledge. Do you believe the $525 million, five-year school finance plan adopted by the 2018 Legislature complies with the Kansas Constitution?
The Kansas Supreme Court has twisted the word “suitable” beyond recognition. Article VI of the Kansas Constitution states, “The legislature shall make suitable provision for finance of the educational interests of the state.” It does not require a specific dollar amount, and it doesn’t empower the judiciary to set spending amounts. We should focus on how the money is spent. We need to ensure that 75 percent of funding that goes to schools is spent in the classroom — not on fancy buildings and more administrators. 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? Yes. As Governor, I will work for such an amendment. This conflict isn’t going away. It is time to return the spending power to the elected representatives of the people. 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? The 31 states that expanded Medicaid costs exceeded estimates in those states by 76 percent. States are now spending one out of every $3 on Medicaid. It’s unaffordable and unsustainable over the long term.
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? Despite the two largest tax increases in state history — sales taxes in 2015 and income taxes in 2017 — Kansas continues to sweep money from the highway program to backfill the state budget. This is outrageous and just another symptom in the Topeka’s addiction to spending. When I am Governor, I will cut spending. My running mate, Wink Hartman, will be tasked with auditing every state department and ensuring we are getting the best bang for our buck. We will put the state budget in rehab, ending the usage of highway fund money for basic government services. In what ways should Kansas firearm laws be modified to address violent crime? I am a lifelong gun owner and hunter. I know that the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. I work everyday to strengthen the Second Amendment in Kansas. We need to expand our concealed carry rights to 18-20 year-olds. We also need to ensure that children in our schools are protected. I will make Kansas the number one state in the nation in protecting the right to keep and bear arms. How would you reform state law regarding availability of abortion services? I’m pro life, and I think that in Kansas, we
KRIS KOBACH
Town of residence: Lecompton Party affiliation: Republican Age: 52 Job: Attorney Prior elected offices: Secretary of state; Overland Park City Council
need to do everything we can to protect the unborn. The Kansas Supreme is quite possibly about to hand the state a very poor decision. They may find an invisible, unwritten right to abortion in our state constitution. That is incorrect and damaging to our existing pro-life laws. If that happens, we must move swiftly to adopt a constitutional amendment to correct the Supreme Court, and I will lead that charge.
REPUBLICAN
KANSAS GOVERNOR: TYLER RUZICH Why are you seeking the nomination for governor? I am seeking the governorship because Kansans value people over politics, compromise over gridlock, and solutions over inaction. I recognize that Kansans want a governor that believes in meeting in the middle and not moving Kansas left or right, but moving Kansas forward. And like many Kansans, I am fed up with Topeka’s indifference towards public education, KanCare, infrastructure, taxes, and jobs. Most importantly, I believe it’s time to work with each other not against each other. What do you think about Kansas lowering (2012) and raising (2017) the state income taxes while hiking the sales tax rate (2015)? Taxes are what we pay for the resources to live in a civilized society. However, Kansas families already face a high tax burden from federal income taxes, county property taxes, and so much more. Thus, I do not believe in any increase in taxes for Kansas families, individuals, and small businesses. Instead, I believe that large corporations should pay a little bit more in taxes to contribute to the common good go Kansas. Do you believe the $525 million, fiveyear school finance plan adopted by the 2018 Legislature complies with the Kansas Constitution?
While the recently adopted plan is a good place to start, I do not believe it provides enough funding for rural school districts and lower income school districts to provide the needed educational resources to ensure student success. I will be an advocate of continued investment in Kansas public education. Investing in education made Kansas strong and it will make Kansas strong again. 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? No, Kansas voters already have the power to vote out Kansas Supreme Court justices at the ballot box. I firmly support the status quo which allows voters to decide who stays and who goes on the court. 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? State Medicaid needs to be expanded especially in the area of telemedicine. The state should find ways to expand state Medicaid by making healthcare more accessible to rural and elderly Kansans. I also do believe that all able-bodied adults who receive any form of government benefits need to be working, training, or seeking work.
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? Infrastructure is all too important to taxpayer money away from. Infrastructure funding should be protected and kept far away from the state general fund. Small towns, Kansas families, and Kansas businesses all benefit from a well funded and stable infrastructure. Thus, the money that is meant for infrastructure must be used for infrastructure. In what ways should Kansas firearm laws be modified to address violent crime? Comprehensive legislation is needed at the state level to ensure public safety. I believe these would include prohibiting the purchase and possession of sex offenders, child molesters, and those with a background of domestic violence. I also believe in closing the gun show loop hole and universal background checks. However, if you can pass a background check and if you follow the laws of this state, I will go out of my way to protect your second amendment rights. How would you reform state law regarding availability of abortion services? Nearly all Kansans, like myself, value the sanctity of human life. Like many Kansans I am disturbed by practices such as sex-selective
TYLER RUZICH
Town of residence: Prairie Village Party affiliation: Republican Age: 17 Job: Student Prior elected offices: None
abortions. However, women must have adequate access to reproductive healthcare services no matter what part of the state they live in. Changes in law need to made to ensure that state Medicaid covers medically necessary pregnancy terminations under a court order, decreasing the current waiting period for medically necessary terminations, and ensuring greater access to RU-486.
REPUBLICAN
KANSAS GOVERNOR: KEN SELZER Why are you seeking the nomination for governor? I am a CPA and a businessman. Because of these qualifications Kansans readily chose me to be their Insurance Commissioner four years ago, in my first statewide elected position. Over the last four years I have proven that government can be more efficient and far more productive. Government can be run in a more businesslike manner, saving tax dollars for everyone. I am a candidate for Governor because I have the right tools for what Kansas needs right now. My financial and business background have enabled me to bring good business practices to an important state government department. We will do the same for the broader state government. What do you think about Kansas lowering (2012) and raising (2017) the state income taxes while hiking the sales tax rate (2015)? The tax decreases and subsequent multiple increases have occurred because of the irresponsible management of our state budget. A governor needs to have the discipline to cut expenses when he sharply cuts revenues. Brownback and Colyer obviously didn’t have this discipline. We have had a poorly managed budget since, resulting in sharp tax increases that in total are far greater than the tax decreases in 2012. We need to think about the future of Kansas, not the quick, short-term
political points that can be made by sharply cutting taxes without some corresponding expense cuts. Do you believe the $525 million, fiveyear school finance plan adopted by the 2018 Legislature complies with the Kansas Constitution? The next governor needs to demand more accountability throughout the educational system, from early childhood education to K-12, to the tech/community college/university system, to job retraining. All need better alignment with their local business communities (even early childhood education so more kids come to kindergarten reading ready) so they produce graduates that better match local needs. The Kansas Supreme Court will rule on the adequacy of funding. This should be the responsibility of the elected legislature. I will support a constitutional amendment to make this responsibility clear, so that the endless and costly school litigation can end. We will demand more accountability and better aligned of school output with the needs of our local communities. 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? A constitutional amendment is needed to end
the litigation that has continued for decades. This litigation is unproductive and costly. 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 would STRONGLY PREFER to NOT expand Medicaid. The federal budget is awash in red ink because of Medicaid and most state government budgets are out of control for the same reason. I don’t see a reason to put Kansas in a similar position when the expansion would be taking almost half of the newly covered individuals from the private market. Further, almost all of the newly covered individuals are able bodied working age adults. 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’s not appropriate to sweep funds like Brownback and Colyer have done. It is the result of a grossly mismanaged budget under their watch. It will take us years to recover.
KEN SELZER
Town of residence: Fairway Party affiliation: Republican Age: 65 Job: Insurance and farming Prior elected offices: Kansas insurance commissioner; Fairway City Council
How would you reform state law regarding availability of abortion services? I am rock solid on Pro-life issues.
In what ways should Kansas firearm laws be modified to address violent crime? We need to be tough on crime. We will always be tough on crime.
OTHER CANDIDATES Gubernatorial candidates Jack Bergeson, Democrat, and Patrick Kucera and Joseph Tutera Jr., both Republicans, didn’t return the questionnaire.