What do you say are the three greatest challenges facing the state over the next few years?
“We must continue growing the economy, keeping our commitment to our schools and making health care more affordable and accessible to every Kansan.”
What are your thoughts on the school funding bill that was passed and what more needs to be done to help Kansas schools?
“I am fully committed to funding the school-finance plan that was passed by the Legislature, upheld by the courts, and signed into law. Keeping this commitment is the single best thing we can do for the future of Kansas.
“The next step for improvement in school finance is to increase accountability. We need to make sure that our tax dollars find their way into the classroom and aren’t wasted on administrative overhead. In 2004, I asked the Legislature to provide audits of our school spending, but they refused. So I moved forward without them, working with private foundations to get the audits funded. As a result of those audits, we have been able to implement best practice models into our school system, getting more for our money. This is something I will work to see continued as we move forward.
“I have also proposed funding for all-day Kindergarten in the past, but this Legislature has not been supportive. Hopefully, after November, we’ll have more legislators who share my commitment to Kansas kids making all-day Kindergarten, in every community who wants it, a reality.
“Finally, some children would benefit greatly from early childhood and pre-kindergarten programs. Assisting these children in the early years not only helps them excel later in life, but also saves us money by addressing learning and developmental issues when they can most easily be improved, rather than addressing them later when they are expensive and difficult to adjust. I have provided funding for this in my 2007 budget including over $8 million in Smart Start Grants; this is an area I will continue to pursue if reelected.”
What, if anything, can or should Kansas do to address the issue of illegal immigration?
“Controlling our borders and stopping the flow of illegal immigrants into this country is one of the most important duties of our federal government. Yet as this crisis of illegal immigration grows worse, politicians in Washington, D.C., seem unable to set aside their political differences and deliver the tougher border security we desperately need. While the politicians in Washington continue to argue and dawdle about the crisis of illegal immigration, out here in the states, we are forced to deal with the consequences of Washington’s inaction. That is why, after being assured it wouldn’t affect the primary missions of the Kansas National Guard, I ordered Guard members to assist the federal government in making our borders more secure. I also believe we must crack down on employers who employ illegal immigrants. Those employers are breaking the law, and the Misclassification of Workers bill that I signed into law this year is the first step in catching these employers.”
How do you see the current state of the Kansas economy? What needs to happen for it to grow from its present position?
“I have proposed and provided tax credits that have spurred the economy. I have signed legislation to eliminate the inheritance tax. I have proposed and signed tax cuts on new machinery and equipment. I have given increased tax credits for small businesses. As a result of these practical solutions, the economy is growing and gaining momentum. We have experienced 28 out of the last 30 months of job growth. Seventy-six thousand more Kansans are working now then before I took office, with over 20,000 of them in new jobs. We have gained 257 more manufacturing plants in the past 12 months. We are not just getting people back to work, we are creating new jobs in new industries. These accomplishments, achieved through bipartisan common sense solutions are part of the reason that Forbes Magazine, Inc. Magazine, and Kiplinger’s have all praised the economic growth in Kansas under my administration.
“We can continue this growth through continued bipartisan cooperation, tax cuts aimed at creating jobs, a more efficient government, and investing in our schools. These efforts, started under my leadership, will continue if I am reelected.”
What do you have to offer the state of Kansas? Why should people vote for you instead of your opponent?
“The choice is simple. It’s between a candidate who promotes a negative campaign, versus a governor who achieves positive results.
“ When I took office the economy was in recession, schools had been neglected, and the state was facing a billion dollar deficit. In four short years, we have come a long way. The economy is growing. We have had 28 out of the past 30 months of job growth. Our average economic growth out paces the nation and most of our surrounding states. We have just made the largest commitment to public schools in the history of our state and I will keep that commitment.
“Not only have we climbed out of that deficit, but the state now has money in the bank. We have achieved all of this by reaching across party lines, finding common sense solutions, and putting the people of Kansas before anything else. We’ve done all of this without a tax increase.
“I’m privileged to serve as governor of this great state and I’m asking for four more years, to continue on this path, and keep us heading in the right direction.”