Views on Key Issues

EDUCATION

Our outstanding public schools are the foundation for business opportunities, prosperity, solid home values and a great quality of life for our families. I am working with our public school leadership and my colleagues in Topeka to insure that our Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission schools receive the levels of funding necessary to maintain the excellence we all expect and desire.

BUSINESS

Our small business community is vital to Leawood's prosperity. As a small business owner, I understand first-hand many of the problems that the State legislature has created for small businesses. I am working closely with our local Chambers of Commerce to get statewide improvements to the cost and ease of doing business in Kansas.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

I will oppose the increasing number of fiscal policies in the State legislature that shift the tax burden onto the local property taxpayer.  By reducing state revenue to local governments we leave communities with the choice of reducing basic services like fire and police protection or raising property taxes. Uncertain funding has undercut programs for seniors and those with disabilities. I am committed to taking the necessary action restore and improve local funding.

DISABILITY ISSUES

Working on issues that affect the special needs populations has been a high priority for me.  During this last session I worked to remove the disabled from the managed care program of KanCare.  We were able to pass autism legislation through the House.  I have always been committed to these issues and have received special recognition from the disability service providers throughout Kanas when Interhab, the umbrella association for disability providers, awarded me a pair or red boxing gloves signed by every provider for rasing awareness of disability issues and increasing funding in the legislature.

PUBLIC POLICY

I have worked in Topeka to introduce legislation to make us safer (DNA testing, domestic violence legislation and victim notification).  I have also worked at the national and state level on innovative community corrections reform which reduced recidivisim and crime while also reducing the cost to taxpayers for prison beds.

WORKING WITH OTHERS

As your representative I am actively working with a broad cross-section of the community, including school board members, school district personnel, city council members, city officials, small business owners, parents and seniors to insure that their interests are represented. I believe that personal collaboration is the best route to effective representative.  I encourage anyone with a concern to contact me and I will try to talk and visit with you regularly.

SPECIAL INTERESTS

I have no business interests, either as an attorney or as a small business owner, that are in conflict with my ability to objectively represent your interests in Topeka.  My votes are determined and made with the best interests in mind for our community and our state.