Reducing Cost of Health Care

Health care costs are spiraling out of control, hurting patients, physicians, and employers alike. We must improve patient care by reducing the health care bureaucracy so that doctors can do what they do best: save lives and care for patients. My family has been active in Wichita's health care system for over 30 years and I know first-hand what it takes to decrease costs for Wichita families.

Reverse the Brain Drain

Too many of our young Wichitans leave Kansas once they complete their education. Our "best and brightest" need to come home to live, work, raise their families, and help the local economy. Our community should encourage young adults to return to Kansas and contribute to improving our community.

Educating Our Children

Wichita schools have been shortchanged hundreds of millions of dollars by the State Legislature over the years. One expert study recommended our children receive an additional $99 million this year alone--yet our elected representatives again failed to obtain our fair share in school funding. We need representatives who will fight for our children's futures, not jeopardize them.

Stop Free Lunches from Lobbyists

Does someone pay for your lunch everyday? Well in Topeka, there is such a thing as a free lunch. Lots of them. Elected officials accept thousands of dollars in free meals and gifts from registered lobbyists every year, even though legislators already receive taxpayer money for food. There is no reason why legislators cannot pay their own way in Topeka. We need to return our government to the people, not the special interests.

Creating Jobs, Helping Small Business

As a former entrepreneur and with parents who have run a small medical clinic for decades, I know how important small businesses are to our economy. Small businesses are the engine for economic growth--providing more than 75% of all new net jobs--especially in Wichita and south-central Kansas. While Kansas must be "open for business" for all companies, we must do more to help small companies enter new markets, not simply protect large corporations. Government should enact policies that reward innovation, risk-taking, and entrepreneurship, not stifle them.

Developing Clean Energy

South-central Kansas has the potential to be a national leader in developing new approaches to producing energy. Clean energy technologies like wind power and ethanol puts machinists back to work in Wichita, creates new economic opportunities for our rural areas, and helps avert an energy crisis our nation may be facing. It makes sense for our businesses, economy, and environment to develop new energy sources right here in Kansas. Our leaders must recognize this critical opportunity for our city and state before it's too late.

Respect our Fallen Soldiers

We must respect those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. The Legislature failed in 2006 to pass a bill prohibiting radical Fred Phelps from picketing the funerals of soldiers who have died in the line of duty. We cannot let this hateful practice continue for another day. I support legislation that restricts the activity of protesters at cemeteries in Kansas.