<p><i>The race for the Kansas 40th District Senate seat features <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/46adf98e-9981-47b7-b214-59c3ff828e69">Republican incumbent Rick Billinger, R-Goodland,&nbsp;</a>and Democratic challenger Larry Dreiling, D-Hays.</i></p><p><i>For the following Q&amp;A, both candidates were asked to submit responses to the same nine questions, with one additional question specific to the candidate. </i></p><p><i>The answers here are presented as submitted.</i></p><h2>What is it that better qualifies you for a seat in the Kansas State Senate than your opponent?&nbsp;</h2><p>I offer a fresh start for our district while possessing over 40 years of experience in the understanding of and reporting on the issues that affect the people of the area. At the same time, I offer a name trusted for telling the truth.</p><h2>In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue facing the people of western Kansas and how best should the Kansas State Senate address that concern?&nbsp;</h2><p>There are short and long-term issues that need to be addressed in their own way. The short-term issue is dealing with the pandemic and the multitude of problems it creates. The disconnect between the urban east and rural west is the most pressing long-term issue. Both require Republicans and Democrats, whether they be rural or urban, to work together. The current legislative structure, with Republican supermajorities, delivers only conflict between parties and regions. Eliminating supermajorities would cause force all sides to a negotiating table to solve problems.</p><h2>As water rights continue to be a growing concern in western Kansas, how would you strike a balance between the needs of ag producers and cities in their use and conservation and distribution of the resource?&nbsp;</h2><p>Kansas needs an effective Division of Water Resources to arbitrate between divided parties and solve problems before they head to the court system.</p><h2>Access to good local healthcare is an extremely important part of life for many in western’s Kansas rural communities. What is the best way to ensure rural hospitals and medical providers can continue to survive as populations decline and grow older?&nbsp;</h2><p>We need Medicaid expansion. It will net small hospitals additional money without raising taxes and possibly add jobs to each county of the district.</p><h2>Three out of four states that border Kansas now allow some form of the sale of Marijuana. Is it a good time for Kansas to follow suit, and do you support such an action?</h2><p>Since numerous studies have shown that these products are not “gateway drugs” and the potential for increased tax revenue is excellent, I am in favor of the gradual liberation of marijuana laws to include full legalization of recreational products.</p><h2>Initially, COVID-19 hit the more urban areas of Kansas harder than in the more rural parts of the state. Now that has shifted and western Kansas towns are dealing with some of the highest infection rates per capita in the country. If elected (or re-elected), what action would you support to further limit the infection rate and subsequent deaths?&nbsp;</h2><p>I am in favor of a statewide mask mandate. Until a vaccine is found and sufficient immunity is seen, I will support mask-wearing, social distancing, and frequent hand washing to ward off this fatal disease.</p><h2>Do you support Medicaid expansion in Kansas and why or why not?&nbsp;</h2><p>Yes. See answer to Question No. 4.</p><h2>As Kansas emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, what actions would you support to ensure a full economic recovery in western Kansas?</h2><p>By what measure do you mean “full?” If it means the same number of people employed in the same sort of jobs in the same places, we likely won’t see that. We likely will also see continued organic population loss, no matter what happens. We need to support ways our part of the state will “shrink smart,” by supporting good schools, diverse populations, and new jobs through development of non-traditional industries, though still being centered around agriculture.</p><h2>With energy production a substantial economic driver in Kansas, what measures would you support that can continue to ensure energy sector jobs remain in the area but also addresses the diminishing amount of oil in the region and climate change concerns?&nbsp;</h2><p>I wish I had a magic wand to help the oil industry. I don’t. I will do my best to keep them going, along with supporting our ethanol production facilities and welcoming systems to provide fast charging of electric vehicles in an all-of-the-above approach toward a strong Kansas energy economy.</p><h2>Following more than four decades of experience working as a journalist, including 30-years at the High Plains Journal, why did you leave that position?</h2><p>I was laid off after 30 years in a series of massive layoffs following an ownership change. It was not of my choosing. It happens. It’s happened to a lot of reporters, especially those my age. After several months of thought, study, and prayer, I decided to make this run for the Kansas Senate. God knows our state needs to end the divisions in our government. I believe my opponent does not want to solve our state’s problems but would rather have it continue to fall behind surrounding states and see our region lose its best and brightest rather than join together to bring diverse minds toward renewal of our region and our state.</p>

Kan. 40th District Senate Candidate: Larry Dreiling