Creating an Environment for Economic
and Job Growth

Encouraging free enterprise and individual initiative will bring Kansans economic prosperity and job growth. Tax policy should be geared toward fostering an environment of economic growth, creation of jobs, and the nurturing of new technologies. To foster job growth I will support lowering the corporate income tax rate and allowing for the immediate deduction of capital purchases by businesses.

Making Healthcare Affordable and Accessible to Every Family

The cost of healthcare has become an unacceptable burden, especially for small businesses and those on a fixed income.  Kansas government should never restrict its citizens from receiving any medical care, emergency or elective, that they desire. 

Kansas should continue to maintain an affordable insurance pool for the "uninsurable". No Kansan should be denied basic healthcare because insurance carriers refuse to cover them or they cannot afford the premiums.  Restrictions should be put on carriers that “cherry pick” only the healthy and reject other clients because of a previous or current health problem.

Kansans should be able to experience as much flexibility as possible when purchasing insurance and participating in Health Savings Accounts.  One way to facilitate this is to allow small businesses to participate in larger affinity groups to secure the same lower premiums that large businesses enjoy.

Encouraging alternative energy

Increasing prices demand we pursue clean, inexpensive alternative energy sources that are environmentally responsible.

Every day you hear about new developments in wind, solar, nuclear or geothermal energy.  All of these are great ideas that show real promise for providing clean, inexpensive, renewable energy.  Kansas needs to be a leader on energy policy in the country by promoting development of new energy producing business while encouraging conservation and reasonable environmental protection. 

Providing for quality education

It is necessary that every child receives the education needed to equip them for tomorrow’s changing world.

We have some of the highest ranked schools in the country right here in our community and we are educating an increasingly diverse student base.  We need to keep these schools strong for future generations.  Decisions regarding education should be made at the local level, as close as possible to the students who attend that school and their parents. 

Reducing taxes / Property tax appraisal reform

We must protect the wallets of taxpayers by requiring a “super majority” to raise taxes.

Kansans are caught in a never ending cycle of property valuation increases. I will work toward capping appraisal rates and property taxes.

History has shown us that the lower the tax burden is on our hardworking Kansans, the more prosperous our state. High property, sales and income taxes pose a difficult burden on senior citizens and others on fixed incomes when they increase on a regular basis. As a legislator I will support policies that reduce sales and income taxes and place reasonable limits on appraisal rates. I will support efforts to cap property appraisals at the rate of inflation. Requiring a legislative “super majority” to raise taxes provides an additional and vital means of protection for the wallets of Kansas taxpayers.

Protecting the rule of law

The rising influx of illegal immigrants is putting a strain on limited government resources. I will work to ensure that state benefits only go to documented Kansas citizens.

Legal immigration is a blessing to this country. Immigration and citizenship with all its privileges, when executed pursuant to the law, is historically proven. It is the duty of all who seek the promise of America to respect the laws of our country. Every taxpayer has the right to expect that their earnings will be used in such a way that does not encourage law breaking.