Will Carpenter, Karen Hasting face off for District 75 seat
Two El Dorado business owners are competing in the Republican primary for the open District 75 House seat in Butler County.
Will Carpenter and Karen Hasting seek to replace Republican Rep. John Grange, who is running for state Senate. The winner of the Aug. 7 primary will face Democrat Suzanne Scribner in November.
Both candidates have served on school boards — Carpenter in the Circle district and Hasting in El Dorado. Carpenter also has been a Butler County commissioner and a state Wildlife and Parks commissioner.
The district now covers all of northern Butler County; before redistricting, the northwest corner was in District 70.
Will Carpenter
Age: 56
Occupation: Small-business owner
Education: Some college
Experience: Circle school board, two-term Butler County commissioner, Kansas Wildlife & Parks commissioner eight years
Phone: 316-541-2932
E-mail: carpfam6965@sbcglobal.net
Web site: www.willforkansas.com
Are the income tax cuts Gov. Sam Brownback signed into law a good thing for Kansas?
Anytime you can put money back in people’s pocket it is a good thing for the economy. The tax cut may have been too large too fast. Maybe it should have been phased in over more years to see what effect it would have. I also believe that it needed a property tax relief element.
What further changes, if any, would you advocate in the state’s tax laws?
Property tax relief and increase sales tax.
How would you change the state’s laws or budget to improve education?
I’m not sure. We hear we need more money for education and we might. But we read studies showing no direct correlation between money and quality of education. I DO believe that education is the key to our children and grandchildren’s future success. I just don’t have all the answers.
What was the most meaningful event or experience in your life, besides births and marriages?
Ever since we had children, I stressed the importance of education. I barely graduated high school. When our daughter graduated with her master’s degree, she had placed on her mortarboard, "4 U Dad." I cried. I had made a real difference. My kids were going to be smarter, stronger and better than I.
Karen Hasting
Age: 59
Occupation: Business teacher and business owner
Education: Bachelor’s and master’s in public administration, Wichita State University; master’s in school leadership, Baker University
Experience: Former El Dorado school board member, four years
Phone: 316-320-1628
E-mail: khasting@usd402.com
Are the income tax cuts Gov. Sam Brownback signed into law a good thing for Kansas?
The income tax cuts are a way of helping many families when our economy is struggling; however, we must be sure that we don’t cut services and hurt education opportunities for our children. Many families are in need of additional services. I think the budget can withstand these cuts as long as modifications are made.
What further changes, if any, would you advocate in the state’s tax laws?
I think we need to consider tax breaks for small-business owners. These individuals hire many local individuals and spend their profits within the state. We need to give them incentives to expand their business and hire more employees.
How would you change the state’s laws or budget to improve education?
When the lottery was established, a portion of the funds were to go to education. Unfortunately, a sunset clause was added. Consequently, education does not receive any of this funding now. I think this should be reinstated as promised.
What was the most meaningful event or experience in your life, besides births and marriages?
Nothing compares to the birth of a child. However, two other experiences have affected me: death and cancer. The death of a loved one made me realize how short life is and that I needed to live my life to the fullest. Last year, my husband was diagnosed with cancer. It has made my family closer and stronger and gave me a new understanding.
This story was originally published July 10, 2012 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Will Carpenter, Karen Hasting face off for District 75 seat."