State Sen. Jim Barnett seeks re-election
By Bobbi Mlynar
Originally published 02:25 p.m., May 21, 2008
Updated 02:26 p.m., May 21, 2008
Emporia physician Jim Barnett filed on Monday for a third term in the Kansas Senate, according to an announcement from the senator’s office.
Barnett, who filed by fee, first was elected to the 17th district senate seat in 2000.
Barnett said that many of the current major issues will continue to draw attention in the future.
“The major issue will be continuing support for education, including a multi-year funding plan,” he said. “This year we did pass, and I supported, the $59 increase to the base for K-12.”
More needs to be done for Regents schools to help bring down tuition costs, Barnett added.
Health-care reform will continue to be a major focus.
“I believe that all Kansans should have access to affordable and quality health care,” he said.
Barnett has in past sessions tried to make health insurance “portable,” like auto and home insurance, to allow workers to carry their insurance with them when they change jobs. He also has promoted medical “homes,” such as county health centers, to provide healthcare for uninsured Kansans.
The senator also mentioned energy policy as an ongoing issue for the state.
“Our state started to take a look, but we have much more to accomplish in terms of making sure we have adequate base loads for energy, along with looking for cleaner and renewable sources of energy,” Barnett said.
Emporia’s unique situation of being in close proximity to the Wolf Creek nuclear plant underscores for him an “obvious increase in interest for nuclear power.”
“With the economy in this region being distressed, we should be looking long-term and how to optimize the potential for job creation and further energy production in this region with nuclear,” Barnett said.
He predicted that immigration reform also will need to be dealt with.
“Kansas needs to continue to push for what we can do in our state, realizing some of the major changes need to be enacted and enforced at the federal level,” Barnett said.
Barnett is chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, vice chairman of the House-Senate Joint Committee on Health Policy Oversight and is a member of the Senate Committees on Federal and State Affairs, Financial Institutions and Insurance, Health Care Strategies, and Organization, Calendar and Rules committee.
The 17th State Senate District encompasses all of Chase and Lyon counties, plus parts of Greenwood, Marion, Morris and Osage Counties.
Barnett and his wife, Yvonne, are parents of two children, Blake, who lives and works in Shanghai, China, and Chelsea, who graduated on Saturday from Rockhurst University and will attend the University of Kansas School of Law in the fall. Yvonne Barnett teaches special education.
Summer_Breeze (anonymous) says...
Jim Barnett is a good Senator. He is honest, dedicated, and he listens to his constituents. I don't always agree with his positions, but I respect him, because I know he gives every matter thoughtful consideration before casting a vote. If all our legislators were as intelligent and conscientious as Jim Barnett, Kansas would be a better place to live.
May 21, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Summer, I agree with your statement. I would add. "If all legislators...." our taxes would would double
May 21, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bobhornet (anonymous) says...
It's time for Emporia to throw Jim Barnett out of office--this man has been an embarrassment to this district and has done very little for his constituents. Instead, he shoots off his mouth without much thought and proposed silly legislation that does nothing to address our area's concerns. Vote this bum out!
May 21, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wasp (anonymous) says...
Jim Barnett has done a decent job as a legislator. My only complaint is that he quit campaigning after he received the Republican nomination for governor and let the current hairbrained governor stay in office. That, in my opinion is the biggest mistake he has made and we are paying dearly for it!
May 21, 2008 at 11:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eiggohp (anonymous) says...
We need good legislators like JIm Barnett who has the interest at heart for the good of all the people living in this state. He is hard-working, intelligent, honest, caring,and is willing to "stick his neck" out for what he believes to be best for the well-being of the people who live here. I wish we had more like him who would not bend to the present governor and permit her to ruin our state. Let's vote him back for another term~~~~
May 22, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporialifer (anonymous) says...
I agree with Summer, Wasp & eig. We need more good, intelligent, honest people like Jim Barnett in our government.
May 22, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Care to elaborate on the legislation you mention bobhornet? How about telling us what legislation he has been involved with that effects you and that you find silly?
Have a look at what happen with HB#2772 this week. I have feeling that is what you are talking about Mo is it?
May 22, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawker (anonymous) says...
Thankfully, we have Jim Barnett representing us in the Kansas Senate.
May 22, 2008 at 8:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )