Education

I support state funding of all-day kindergarten for all districts. All-day kindergarten would provide at-risk students needed additional learning opportunity and would help working parents with scheduling of day care and by reducing the cost of day care. Attendance at kindergarten is not currently required. If the state funds all-day kindergarten attendance should be required.

I support removing the current limit on the local option budget (LOB) provided any increase in the LOB percentage is approved by a vote of the local school district residents.  

The current funding formula is not fair to Johnson County school districts. All of the Johnson County legislative delegation voted against the school funding bill passed in the 2008 session. The formula must be improved before I will vote to add additional funding to the current formula. Improvements should include an improved at-risk definition and increased special education funding to bring local school districts up to the 92% reimbursement level.  

Economic Development

Continued economic development is very important to Lenexa and to Kansas. Johnson County growth is a very large part of the total growth in Kansas. Animal science and stem cell research are two areas where significant growth can come quickly. We must be certain we encourage economic development locally while finding ways to help all parts of Kansas share in economic growth so they can also share in the funding of necessary state programs such as education and highway maintenance and construction.

An indication of my strong support for economic development is my 100% lifetime voting record with the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce.

Environment

As a fourth generation and lifetime Kansan who intends to remain a permanent resident preserving a quality environment is important to me.

Kansas must have a statewide comprehensive energy plan that includes all forms of available energy and provides incentives for energy conservation.

Lenexa continues to do a great job with the residential curbside recycling program and such programs should be encouraged statewide. The litter along state highways is an embarrassment. As your Representative I will look for ways to encourage additional recycling and to reduce highway littering.

Immigration

I oppose driver's licenses for illegal immigrants. The federal government should act to reduce the current bureaucratic process and provide reliable ways for employers to verify the legal status of employees. I will support tougher penalties on companies that knowingly hire illegal immigrants. I will support new laws that ensure public agencies verify the legal status of individuals before  providing non-federally mandated public benefits. I will support English as the official language of Kansas.