By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Hays resident Barb Wasinger is seeking her third 2-year term as the 111th District state representative, which includes Hays and Victoria.
She has also previously served as a Hays city commissioner and Ellis County commissioner.
Wasinger says her city and county commission experience is "very valuable" when it comes to many matters in the state house. She also has firsthand knowledge of the pressures of being a small business owner.
She believes her past two terms in the legislature "make me more influential for constituents.... I can make a difference, get more done and make it easier for them."
Wasinger is looking forward to serving again, working on major issues affecting all Kansans, as well as smaller concerns brought forth by individual constituents.
She says "being a state representative is an important job but it's never been about position" for her. At the age of 64, Wasinger says being "Nana" to her grandchildren is her "best title."
One of Wasinger's top priorities if re-elected to the Kansas House is fighting inflation, a huge issue across the entire U.S.
"We overtax our people," believes Wasinger.
"I'd like to see retirement funds not be taxed any more for senior citizens. They've worked all their lives, are now retired, and they shouldn't have to pay taxes again on what they're doing."
Many states around Kansas do not impose tax on retirement income.
She says the legislature should also always be looking at property taxes and how to affect a change to lower them.
Kansas is the second-most regulated state in the nation. Fewer regulations could help ease the financial burden on residents.
She's been in a position to mitigate regulations as vice-chair of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations.
"That's why I've always enjoyed [it] because you see what's going on."
As an example, she talked about the time the Department of Labor came forward with eight regulations to change workman's compensation law.
"And we couldn't stop them. We just had to listen to it."
As a result, a proposed constitutional amendment - House Concurrent Resolution 5014 - has been placed on the November ballot.
"It allows the legislature - meaning Joint Rules and Regs - to say to agencies, you're legislating by regulating. And this should not be done."
"I [also] want to make sure that we follow through with a statute we passed that every five years, every agency needs to go through their rules and regulations and make sure if something is not being used, get rid of it.
"If there are onerous burdens on Kansas businesses, they need to look at that and how we can relax some of those."
Wasinger is urging Kansans to vote 'Yes' on the amendment.
She's also encouraging a 'Yes" vote on a second constitutional amendment - HCR 5022 - that would preserve the right of each county to continue electing their sheriff, rather than making it an appointed position.
RELATED: Post Podcast: Area sheriffs discuss proposed Kansas constitutional amendment
For the first time in many years, the state has a surplus and a reserve in its budget.
Wasinger points out that "the governor didn't save all that money. We did that in tax committee and insurance committee where they figured out how to pay money back to the KPERS system."
"We put $2.7 billion dollars into KPERS since I've been in office. That is amazing. ... This past legislature paid off bonds and loans and that have saved $78 million in interest this year alone."
She supports a COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) raise for KPERS employees. Many employees of Fort Hays State University and USD 489 - two of the largest employers in Hays, - along with employees of the many state offices in town, are KPERS members.
Recent redistricting drew each map in Kansas to have approximately 24,500 constituents. The 111th District is now smaller, due to the elimination of Munjor.
The population of Hays has grown a little, but overall, western and central Kansas counties have declining populations.
"We have lost a lot of people and we have to figure out how to get them back," Wasinger says.
"A lot of wealth in our state is disappearing because people have moved out to where it's cheaper and they can keep more of their money. ... That's one thing about removing taxes from retirement income [that could help keep people in Kansas]."
Retired Fort Hays State University president Ed Hammond is the Democratic candidate in the 111th District race.
Hammond has been critical of Wasinger's voting record on Medicaid expansion, funding for K-12 schools and special education, and block grants for Fort Hays State.
Wasinger has fought back each criticism, detailing and explaining her votes, particularly on the complicated education funding issues.
She's not necessarily opposed to expanding Medicaid, known as KanCare, but wants some conditions in place first.
Wasinger considers herself a "great advocate for Fort Hays State" and worked to make sure graduates of the new social work master's program were able to apply for their licenses in a timely manner.
Wasinger and her attorney husband Tom Wasinger own Ellis County Title and Abstract in Hays. They are the parents of four adult children.
The election is November 8. Advance voting is underway until November 7 at noon in the Ellis County Administrative Center, 718 Main, Hays.
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