1) Most Legislative sessions involve hard choices among state agencies competing for limited funds.  What are your spending priorities and how should budget shortfalls be addressed?

1. Primary and Secondary School Education

2. Public Transportation – highways, infrastructure, rail transportation.

3. Public Safety

4. Health Care – particularly children’s health insurance, dental care improved access for all.

2)  How do you balance the need for additional energy production in the state with environmental concerns, including the use of water? 

Water will always be a major concern in Kansas for its availability. All energy for base load origin requires water and in many instances a lot of it. Energy needs are a top priority secondary to our needs for basic existence. Water conservation must become a primary concern for all citizens.

3)  What is your assessment of the level of funding for education at all levels (pre-K – University) and how do you intend to address issues such as deferred maintenance and faculty salaries to keep our schools competitive on a national level? 

As noted previously education at all levels gets my top priority. Deferred maintenance should get the money from any established increase tax revenue and faculty salaries must be kept competitive. New programs at the state level will have a difficult initiation this year.

4)  What policies do you think Kansas should have regarding illegal immigrants?

Immigration policy should be established at the federal level. I have a compassionate side for the people who desire to follow our laws and want to become citizens. We should avoid expensive verification mandates. Congress should “produce a comprehensive immigration bill addressing the nation’s porous border, its backlogged naturalization system and work force shortages.”