Editor's note: The same questionnaire was sent to Rahjes' opponent, Democrat Ellace Henderson of Phillipsburg. She did not respond.
Ken Rahjes
Republican, incumbent
Kansas House of Representatives, 110th District
Agra
What is the top issue facing the state legislature in the upcoming session?
I beleive there will be two that should be the focus: One is taxes and the other water. We need to continue to work to reduce the property tax burden on landowners in the state, we must also work with agricuture, municipalities and industry on water quality and quanity through the state water plan and develop a comprhensive long term plan for all Kansans.
Do you have a legislative priority heading into the session, if you are elected?
This January one of the biggest priority is working with all the new elected Representives and senators to build working releationships and help them through the process of the legislature. I belive the 2025 session will be alot of learning and listening and many of the heavy lifts will be in the 2026 session.
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?
Leadership has said this will be one of the priorities and I am with them. In my opinion we fell a little short on property tax releif. I am glad that we worked on eleminating income tax on social security and I am sure there will be many ideas that will be coming out of the tax committes.
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?
In the end, I did vote in support of the professional sports teams exploring the idea of moving to Kansas. In recent days there has been much speculation on what the end result might be. At this time the legislature is not the chief negotiator, we set the paramiters for the disussions from the state and we will have to see. The 110 Distict is split in loyalty to the Kansas City and Denver professional teams, so it is worth pursing if it helps grow our economy and will lower peoples tax burden.
Access to water is an ongoing issue in Kansas, what are some areas where you believe the legislature will help?
Western Kansas legislators led the way in securing additonal money for the state water plan and will continue that leadersip moving forward. We will continue to work with stakeholders to find that good balance that does not penalize agriculture water users, and work with our smallest communities and all of us who need good clean drinking water. I beleive we will fund the various programs that will enhance the lives of each of us as Kansans.
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?
I have not been a supporter of medicaid expansion. As per every year, the Governor will make it a priority, but the votes are not there. It is difficult to say I support an expansion of government without knowing what that fully entails and what the cost would be to us as taxpayers.I am listening to health care professinals and areas hospital board members to find other ways to stenthen health care delivery in the 110th District. I have supported and did vote in favor of increasing reimbursement rates to our hospitals and would have done more, but we were thwarted by the federal agency. I also encourage of federal delegation to continue to work in support of our critical access hospitals.
Do you believe that the legislature is currently funding Kansas public schools adequately? Are there areas you'd like to see improvement?
The Kansas Legislature is fully funding K-12 public education as laid out in the Kansas Constitution. We all know that SPED or Special Education funding is not at the prescribed level and this is not all on the State Legislature. We have increased funding, albeit not enough to meet all the needs, but this should be led by the federal government and if they would meet their obligations we would be much closer to fully funded also.
Do you believe that the legislature has an obligation to support economic growth in western Kansas?
I don't know if obligation is the correct word. As a state, we have an obligation to provide an public education to children and as a legislature our role is to pass a balanced budget. There are many local foundations and organizations that are supported privately and publicly to assistst in any number of economic development ventures. Over the last few years we have seen some good public/private partnership develop innovative programs to help in strenthing communities, and in our area we have seen great leadership come from Fort Hays State University. To me, our obligation is to make good investment choices of hard earned taxpayer dollars to help in developing a good quality of life for those who chose to make western Kansas home.