Your guide to the House District 95 race
Three people are vying to represent District 95, in south-central Wichita, in the state House.
Democrat Melany Barnes, 54, was appointed to the seat a year ago to replace Tom Sawyer, who resigned to serve on the Kansas Parole Board. She earlier served two terms in the seat, from 1999 to 2002.
She notes that she served previously during tough economic times. She says some of the best ideas come in hard times, and that working across party lines is a strength for her.
Republican retiree Benny Boman, 75, has sought the seat before. He says he is running to save a future for his grandchildren. He advocates cutting taxes and freezing spending and state hiring.
Libertarian Randall Batson, 34, is a laid-off aircraft worker. He says he is running as a citizen candidate because most laws are not just and instead favor legislators, lobbyists, campaign contributors and bureaucrats.
Kansas' 125 state representatives are elected to two-year terms. They develop and debate laws and approve the state's budget during a 90-day legislative session. They are paid $88.66 per day and get $116 per day in expenses while in session or attending interim committee meetings.
1. What are your top three budget priorities, in order, and where should the money come from?
2. What, if any, changes would you like to see made to the state's late-term abortion laws?
3. Are taxes on Kansas businesses too high, too low or adequate?
Melany Barnes
Party: Democrat
Age: 54
Occupation: State representative, 95th District; project assistant
Education: WSU Center for Management Development training; Wichita Area Technical College supervisor training
Political experience: 1999-2002, October 2009 to present, Kansas House
Phone: 316-262-0800
E-mail: barnes.melany@gmail.com
1. My priorities are job growth, our constitutional responsibility for K-12 education and the universities, and seniors and the disabled, funded with federal, state and local tax formulas. I do not support raising local property taxes for families any further, especially for seniors.
2. I voted to ban late-term abortion, with exceptions to save the life of the mother. I do not believe any change is necessary unless there is change in federal law or Supreme Court decision. We must do more in Kansas to promote a climate for mothers to carry their babies to term.
3. I think business taxes are adequate and have been cut since 1995. We must create a climate that supports job creation and accountability. If we give tax breaks, then we need to be sure the jobs are created in Kansas. Pollina Corporate's Top 10 "Pro-Business States" reports Kansas is the No. 7 most business-friendly state, so we will be moving in the right direction when our economy recovers.
Randall Batson
Party: Libertarian
Age: 34
Occupation: currently unemployed (laid-off aircraft worker)
Education: Associate's degree, aviation maintenance technician, Cowley County Community College/Aviation Tech Center; associate's degree, welding technologies, Tulsa Welding School
Phone: 316-204-1392
E-mail: hurley2635@yahoo.com
1. Cut spending. Cut taxes. Look at privatizing some public usages.
2. I wish that pro-life advocates would focus on the issues of social acceptance and economic peril of an individual and assist those in need. Then this wouldn't be an issue, for it would not need to exist.
3. Too high. I'm supportive of eliminating the tax burden to business as well as cost of product to consumers through the Fair Tax. This tax is a national sales tax replacing the income tax burden.
Benny L. Boman
Party: Republican
Age: 75
Occupation: Retired
Education: High school, two years college
Political experience: Precinct committeeman, county appeals board
Phone: 316-945-0771
1. * Produce a balanced budget
* State general fund spending freeze
* State hiring freeze
Cut state spending to reduce taxes so business will want to come to Kansas
2. Abortion should be against the law, especially late-term.
3. Kansas is not competitive because our taxes are too high.
This story was originally published October 8, 2010 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Your guide to the House District 95 race."