Editor's note: The same questionnaire was sent to Wasinger's opponent, Democrat Joseph Lantz of Hays. He did not respond.
Barbara Wasinger
Republican, incumbent
Kansas House of Representatives, 110th District
Hays
What is the top issue facing the state legislature in the upcoming session?
Currently we are planning on pushing through a property tax reduction bill and working on school funding to make sure its equitable for all.
Do you have a legislative priority heading into the session, if you are elected?
I am working on the Cybersecurity Bill for all three branches in Kansas and need to make sure Appropriations and Ways and Means Committees understand the critical need for all Kansans and make it a priority for the safety of us all. I am also working on Administrative Rules and Regulations to give Kansas the relief from overburdensome regulations that cost us all money.
The legislature passed a substantial tax reform package last session. Do you believe more reform could be discussed in the upcoming session? Where are some areas you believe we could see reform?
Property tax relief such as freezing property taxes for seniors and giving tax relief to disabled veterans which was vetoed by the governor last year.
After the legislature passed a measure allowing the Chiefs and Royals to use STAR bonds to build new stadiums in Kansas, do you support an ongoing effort to try and lure the teams from Missouri?
We have given them a very tempting offer and I know many would love to have them in Kansas. I believe that Missouri will work to keep them when it gets down to the wire but at least we tried.
Access to water is an ongoing issue in Kansas, what are some areas where you believe the legislature will help?
This past session a comprehensive water funding bill was passed and we need to continue to work on making water available to all in Kansas in a responsible manner. LEMAs (Local Enhanced Management Areas) are working and we need to try to get more created.
Governor Laura Kelly is expected to once again call for Medicaid Expansion in Kansas, do you support expanding Medicaid in Kansas? Why or why not?
There is not a lot of support for Expansion – at a time we need more workers in Kansas it will take well bodied Kansans out of the job market and cost the State far more than what it brings to the table. Medicaid was developed for the Elderly, disabled, pregnant women and children. Adding more to the rolls will make the IDD waiting lists longer and push the truly needy into the back of the line for services. We need to fix our state first and provide better reimbursements for hospitals and drs. to take care of Kansans.
Do you believe that the legislature is currently funding Kansas public schools adequately? Are there areas you'd like to see improvement?
We are funding schools exactly as told to do by the Kansas Supreme Court. We need to look at the school finance formula and make sure all students are needs are being met. Over 60% of the State budget is spent on schools.
Do you believe that the legislature has an obligation to support economic growth in western Kansas?
We have an obligation to support communities in their efforts to provide economic support and we do that with funding mechanisms now. We have started asking Legislative Post Audit to look at different programs and discontinue the programs that are not working and move that money into the ones that are working.