For state Sen. Chris Steineger, it makes sense to combine an idea from the left — environmental conservation — with an idea from the right — fiscal responsibility.
Steineger, a Democrat from the 6th District, spoke about the importance of the two concepts and also about a possible run for governor during a talk at Emporia State University Thursday evening.
“This is something I believe in,” Steineger said, and described his Depression-era grandparents, who learned to save and conserve resources.
“Those folks had very little,” he said. “They had to be thrifty.”
Steineger spoke about trimming waste in a number of ways, from conserving energy to increasing efficiency to recycling as ways to achieve this form of sustainability.
“There was an idea of maximizing resources that my parents and grandparents had to do that was embedded in me as I grew up,” he said, adding that the fiscal and environmental ideas began to bind together when he was in college and the environmental movement was gaining steam.
Talking about the current economy, he said there is little evidence of fiscal responsibility.
“When I see the size of the national debt, it worries me,” he said. “... These trends bother me. I see (fiscal responsibility) the same way I see environmental conservation. One generation shouldn’t consume all the resources in one generation. I think it is environmentally correct and fiscally correct that a generation use what you need but also preserve resources, whether environmental or fiscal, so that future generations have something to work with.”
For Steineger, it’s all about living within your means. It’s not a new idea, he said, just a remix of old ideas.
Steineger also talked about a possible run for governor in 2010, and about the difficulties of running as a Democrat in a Republican state.
“I have not decided if I will jump into this race but I am actively looking,” he said. “I will not make a decision until sometime this summer.”
Steineger said the road in 2010 will be long and uphill for a Democrat, but it’s possible. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius won twice at a time when the Republican party enjoyed a great deal of popularity.
“Some folks think that once you’ve had eight years of one party in power, the voters will want the other party,” Steineger said, but it’s possible Kansans would consider electing another moderate Democrat as opposed to a hardcore conservative Republican.
Two Republicans currently in the race are Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh and U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback. Steineger said history has shown that when you have a moderate and a conservative, the conservative will win the primary. That’s how Sebelius got elected — when Republicans nominate a hardcore conservative, there are some moderate Republicans who would rather vote for a moderate Democrat than a conservative.
Steineger also said that when Sebelius is confirmed for her cabinet post, Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson will automatically appoint a new lieutenant governor. Steineger wouldn’t mind being picked for that spot.
“I’ve let Mark know that I’m interested in being chosen,” Steineger said. “I bring legislative skills, work skills and business skills. I’d be happy being lieutenant governor.”
Steineger also broached the controversial topic of county consolidation as a way to conserve money. He has been working on a plan that would reduce the number of counties in Kansas from 105 to 13. The plan has not received a lot of acceptance.
“Everywhere in society we need to learn to economize,” he said. “... I don’t think the way we’re borrowing and spending money, running up this huge debt, a huge trade deficit with China and Saudi Arabia is not financially sustainable either. So I’m trying to find ways in government to redesign government that can save huge amounts of money.”
Steineger said Kansas is one of the three states that have the highest number of local units of government, from counties to municipalities, from school districts to water districts.
“It creates a bottom-heavy government, services and delivery systems in Kansas,” he said. “And it costs us a lot of money to do it that way.”
Discussing the history of the state, Steineger said Kansas was formed during a huge Populist movement in the country, which required small units of government that were close to the people.
“We have 105 counties because the guys in 1861 wanted the county courthouse to be one day’s horseback ride from every farmer,” he said.
This idea of government is outmoded in the modern age, he said, and America’s greatest strengths are the creativity and adaptability of its people.
noel_stanton (anonymous) says...
Very intelligent ideas and a cogent analysis. Kansas has enormous problems and Mr. Steineger sounds like someone who could repair some of its troubles.
Noel Stanton
Moerlenbach, Germany
April 4, 2009 at 6:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
"Talking about the current economy, he said there is little evidence of fiscal responsibility." I agree with this but it is very unpopular to say it right now. People on these forums have said it and met with a lot of........ let's say................ resistance. Environmental conservation —fiscal responsibility, sounds great to me. If he was in a "third" party I might even vote for him.
April 4, 2009 at 7:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )