Issue Position: Economy
Issue Position
DID YOU SUPPORT THE REPEAL OF GOVERNOR BROWNBACK'S 2012 INCOME TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS AND DO YOU SUPPORT A NEW TAX THAT IS FAIR, ECONOMICALLY SOUND AND IS SPREAD ACROSS ALL SECTORS OF THE KANSAS ECONOMY? YES
I was very involved in helping to repeal the Governor's 2012 failed "tax experiment" that allowed unfair, disastrous and irresponsible income tax exemptions for over 300,000 businesses and our very wealthiest individuals. I voted for the repeal and I voted to override the Governor's veto of that repeal.
I voted for and will continue to support a new tax structure that is broad based, that includes ALL segments of the economy, and that eliminates political and financial favoritism for the wealthy elite and special interests that benefitted most from the Brownback tax plan. Brownback's 2012 tax cuts were implemented at the expense of the middle class, our students, and our most vulnerable citizens. Brownback's irresponsible tax cut "experiment" resulted in an unprecedented economic downturn in Kansas. The fair and balanced tax structure that I voted for in 2017, supported by all segments of the economy, is beginning to provide the funding necessary for good schools, good roads, needed social services, and economic growth.
Business people and the great majority of Kansans in general understand that a fair and balanced tax structure is a critical necessity for strong economic development which will help bring modern businesses and high paying jobs to Kansas. I will continue to support legislation that requires reasonable tax rates, that requires all sectors of the Kansas economy to pay their fair share and that truly supports economic development and job creation.
DO YOU SUPPORT A REDUCTION IN THE PRESENT STATE SALES TAX WHICH IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN THE NATION? YES
The present sales tax in Kansas on food and other products and services is one of the highest in the nation. It is a regressive tax that places an unfair burden on the middle class and on citizens least able to afford basic necessities for their families. The present sales tax rates should be cut as part of an ongoing effort to revamp the tax code to provide a more equitable system of taxation that spreads tax responsibility over the entire Kansas economy, that encourages true economic development, that provides the funding necessary to address the basic responsibilities of Kansas government and reduces the burden of regressive taxes like the sales tax on food.
I am in favor of a tax structure that eliminates the sales tax on both food and medicine. Kansans should not have to deny their families proper nutrition or needed medications based on their inability to afford an inordinately high tax on food and medicine.
SHOULD THE LEGISLATURE BE ALLOWED TO TAKE MONEY FROM KDOT FUNDS WHICH ARE EARMARKED FOR ROAD AND BRIDGE REPAIR? NO
I have been a strong advocate for fully funding KDOT and to keep those funds from being "swept" into the general fund to cover shortfalls caused by the fiscal mismanagement of the current conservative Republican administration.
Robbing the KDOT funds to cover shortfalls in the General Fund should, in my opinion be illegal. KDOT funds go to keeping us and our family's safe on our roads and bridges. Fully funding KDOT also generates thousands of good paying highly skilled jobs which help stimulate and sustain our economy. Using those funds to cover financial mismanagement of the general fund puts the safety of Kansans at risk as well as undermining our efforts to re-energize and sustain a thriving economy.
SHOULD THE LEGISLATURE PASS A BILL ALLOWING BUSINESSES TO DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY? NO
I have and will continue to adamantly oppose any form of legislation that promotes or allows any form of discrimination based on race, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation or gender identity. To do any differently is unacceptable, un-American and should be plainly and without exception illegal. I have and will continue to strongly oppose any attempt to allow businesses to discriminate against people due to their sexual orientation or gender identification, as well as their race, political or religious preference.
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