Kristi for Kansas

Issues

  • Issues Overview

    Note:  Kristi answered the following issue questionnaire for the Kansas City Star Editorial Board. 

    1. Would you (or did you) vote for a bill allowing construction of two-coal fired power plants as proposed by Sunflower Electric Power Corporation in the last legislative session?


    I would not have voted to allow this measure to pass. I believe this form of coal production is an energy source of the past, and Kansas should not bear the pollution of a coal-powered plant, which would primarily supply energy to other states. I believe our attentions should be focused on bringing in companies that would pursue wind and other forms of green energy.


    2. Do you believe voters should be required to show a photo ID before being allowed to cast a ballot? If yes, what exceptions would you make?


    I do not believe this measure is necessary and in many cases, it amounts to discrimination. Photo ID requirements suppress the votes of less mobile individuals who cannot necessarily go to a DMV to obtain a state ID without extraordinary measures.


    3. If the U.S. Supreme Court should overturn Roe vs. Wade in the future, would you support a bill prohibiting abortion in Kansas?


    No.


    4. Do you favor legislation that would give relatives of women broad leeway to sue abortion providers over perceived violations of state law?


    No.


    5. Would you support a constitutional amendment limiting budget increases by local and state governments to the annual rate of inflation, unless a larger increase is approved by voters?


    It would depend on the specific amendment language proposed.

    6. The Kansas legislature refused to recapture $87 million in state taxes lost because of provisions in the federal economic stimulus package that provided tax breaks for business expansion. Would you have supported a bill decoupling the state from those federal provisions?


    I think it is concerning that we would allow the federal government to set tax policy for Kansas. Something of this magnitude should at least warrant discussion by the legislature and time for the public to comment. Neither of those happened in this case.


    7. The Senate Ways and Means Committee approved a bill in the last session to establish a statewide smoking ban in places open to the public. Do you support such a bill and, if so, what exceptions would you favor in such a prohibition?


    I do not believe in punishing business owners of establishments in which smoking has been allowed and the prohibition of which would significantly affect their income. I believe nonsmokers have a right to breathe clean, non-polluted air in restaurants, offices, and public buildings. However, in bars and casinos, where cigarettes and alcohol are part of the cultural experience, for better or worse, I think that the environment can be adjusted to include a clean air environment while still allowing smokers to exercise their rights. The rights of all groups must be respected, not just one.


    8. Should Kansas approve additional money to fund all-day kindergarten in every public school that wants to offer it without charging parents tuition?


    Absolutely. Early childhood education has been proven repeatedly to improve long-term results.


    9. Would you vote for an increase in tobacco taxes in order to make health care more affordable for more Kansans, especially those who are currently uninsured?


    Yes.


    10. Do you support a new, multi-year highway improvement plan for Kansas and, if so, how would you pay for it?


    I do. We cannot ignore our infrastructure. There are many ways that we can appropriate funding, through both federal and state expenditures.


    11. Should local governments be prohibited from using taxpayer dollars to lobby the Legislature on issues that affect their citizens?


    No, local governments have a duty and a right to protect the interests of their communities. There are inevitable expenses associated with that.


    12. Do you believe the driving age for a learners permit should be increased from 14 to 15 and an unrestricted license increased from 16 to 17? Should teens on a restricted license be prohibited from driving between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.?


    I think that the goals of this initiative are admirable, but I would need to study the issue more closely before making a firm commitment.


    13. Did you vote (or would you have voted) for the expanded gambling bill approved in the 2007 legislative session?


    Yes, I would have supported it.


    14. Would you require employers in Kansas to use the federal E-verify system before hiring any employee to verify their citizenship status? Do you support penalties against employers who hire illegal immigrants, whether knowingly or not?


    While I do believe that employers have a responsibility to be well informed on possible forms of fraud, I do not see how we can hold companies accountable for illegal workers if they present, what appears to be, valid identification when hired. Smaller businesses with limited office staffs are especially vulnerable to scapegoat in these cases. However, I do think that the E-verify system is a tool which should be utilized


    15. HB 2299 would forbid local governments from creating domestic partnership registries like the one in Lawrence, which give some level of recognition to unmarried straight and gay couples, and could aid them in securing benefits from employers. Supporters of bill say domestic relations should remain a matter for the state, not cities and counties. Would you vote for this bill?


    Companies who offer more loosely structured benefits need to have a way to verify domestic partnerships, no matter the participants. Regulating these issues is really a matter for local governments.


    16. Would you support a statewide smoking ban in bars, restaurants and other entertainment venues?


    No, I would not, for the reasons stated in question seven.


    17. Do you think the state's support for its regents universities is about right, too little or too much? How would you address the backlog in infrastructure needs on the state's campuses?


    It is severely lacking. The regents universities have born much of the brunt of statewide educational budget cuts.


    18. Would you support an attempt to repeal the law that allows children of undocumented immigrants to attend Kansas colleges and universities at in-state tuition rates?


    No. Children do not choose where they are born. They should not be punished for their parents' decisions prior to their arrival.


    19. Are you satisfied with the system by which state judges are selected, with candidates nominated by a committee elected by the Kansas Bar Association, and the final selection up to the governor?


    It is important to keep the selection of state judges as independent as possible. I think the current method is the best way to ensure that politics and special interests do not influence our courts.

  • Improving our Economy through Green Industry

    The green rebuilding of Greensburg has been nothing short of amazing. People are opening their minds to new technology while creating a fresh start for their town. We must build upon their leadership in this important area and be open to new, greener ways of thinking.  As the third highest wind energy state in the nation, Kansas has the potential to be a leader in the production of wind energy. 

    We must also encourage personal responsibility for seeking out new ways to conserve energy in our own homes.  Like a home inspection, *Home Energy Audits are a great way to see what your house lacks and needs in the efficiency department.  The recommended improvements often pay for themselves in as few as 2 to 10 years and frequently qualify for tax credits. 

    Sustainable agriculture can also be improved in Kansas.  **Community Supported Agricultural groups (CSA's) are becoming more available, even in our cities.  Members purchase a weekly share of freshly picked produce, from local farmers, providing a double benefit, helping sustain local organic farmers and reducing the carbon footprint of the food we eat. 

    *For more information on Home Energy Audits click here: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=home_energy_yardstick.showStep2  

    **To find a CSA near you, click here:  http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

  • Fully Funded Education

    We have a responsibility to our children and our country to provide the best education in the world for our students. America’s position as a world leader is seriously undermined by our lagging educational system. We will continue to slide backward if we do not properly invest in fully funding our public schools. Further, we must ensure that we are recruiting and retaining the best teachers in Kansas and foster a system that rewards excellence. We will accomplish this by providing competitive salaries, innovative training and mentoring programs to teachers in our system.

  • An Honest Politician?

    It seems like a conflict in terms, right?  Gridlock and the same politics-as-usual attitude have led to increasingly ineffective government in Topeka. I am not a typical candidate. I speak my mind, and I will bring fresh ideas for our state, but I also realize that no single individual knows everything. I will do the extra work required to analyze complex issues rather than stand behind an ambiguous answer. You will not find me speaking out of both sides of my mouth. I think that voters deserve honesty from their elected officials. I intend to have an open dialogue with my constituency and I will work tirelessly to accomplish the goals of my district.



Paid for by Kristi for Kansas, Stanley Adams, Treasurer