Chat: Kitty Frank, State Senate
Friday, October 31, 2008
Kitty Frank of north Lyon County is the Democratic candidate for the 17th District of the Kansas Senate. She has an economics degree, cum laude, from Emporia State University. She and her husband, Ken, have two children. Here is a transcript from her online chat Thursday night:
Q Kansas to date has managed to stay out of the states considered to be “in recession,” but are considered by many experts to be “at risk.” What must be done by the state government to ensure that Kansas remains one of those states not experiencing a recession?
A Kansas is lucky that we value our resources — such as our well educated workforce and our infrastructure. We are known for having a high work ethic and a “can do” attitude about tackling problems in our communities. These things, I feel, will give us a jump-start during this slow economy.
As a friend of mine in Matfield Green stated, “We didn’t have too much of a financial bubble to burst!”
With new leadership, we can take advantage of this time in the history of the United States to place Kansas in the forefront of new economic ideas. Most important is that our leaders in Topeka begin to understand that we will not tolerate inefficiency, divisiveness and posturing any longer.
Kansas workers send funds to the state treasury to support their communities and we expect our leaders to value those contributions and look at our long range opportunities and responsibilities.
Q Higher education is clearly a concern of many Emporia residents with ESU providing a large amount of city and county revenue. What must be done to ensure that state college continue to run in the black and will receive all the funding they need amidst the current “credit freeze?”
A Several ESU students have shared with me their concerns about being able to finish their degrees. At the same time, as a nation and state we are telling them that they are our hope for working out of this downturn.
I have pledged myself to support legislation that would insure that for every 1 percent in higher costs to students in tuition, there would be an equal 1 percent made available in student loans and grants. At this point in time, I feel we are locking out groups of students who are unable to start a a program because the combination of grants, loans and family contributions just does not add up
Also, I would support legislation that would provide service credits to those who serve in some of our lowest paying, highest need careers such as public education and nursing. Again, with our “can-do” attitude, I feel we are willing to do what we can to cut back during the worst of this but we need a clear plan for the future so that we don’t squander times of financial prosperity.
The Wysong Amendment was a last-minute effort to balance the budget in 2008. It was dropped on the Senate floor with no debate and only a voice vote. It was an attempt to completely bypass the bipartisan committee work of the entire legislative session and would have cut $10 million from higher education. This is not the way to build the consensus and prepare for a strong future.
Q Where do you stand on expanding nuclear energy? Many believe that the Wolf Creek plant southeast of Emporia is a vastly under-used resource; that we have the infrastructure and work force in place to help get us off foreign oil and coal, while putting Kansans to work. Do you agree that we need more units at Wolf Creek? If not, why not? If so, what would you do to try to make it happen?
A I have a very personal connection to the need to get away from old technologies for energy. With a son-in-law that was injured by IED’s in Iraq, and a son who was critically injured in an oil-drilling accident, energy has been too much of a part of our family in the last 4 years.
The Wolf Creek project has been good for our economy and energy needs in Kansas. Many people in the district have told me they will be coming to talk to me about moving forward with expanding nuclear energy to replace other sources. I would lean more in favor of nuclear energy than I would coal.
I want to move forward with alternative fuels as quickly as possible. I am listening, as this is a topic that I want to be more informed on to better represent you.
Q What do you think should be the first job for the Legislature when it convenes in January?
A Public education is the issue I have committed to working on first. 64 percent of our state budget is spent on public education and we have no plan for the future. Every day, children in the Flint Hills get up and go to school, but our funding system is broken.
Three years ago, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that our system was neither adequate nor equitable. Since then, our legislators have Band-Aided the problem, and even the Band-Aids will expire in 2010. State leaders have left local school boards in an impossible situation, not being able to budget for their upcoming school years in a responsible manner.
I have a proven record for listening, finding the baseline of common ground, building consensus, and getting things done. I can make a difference in resolving this issue.