2014 voters guide: Sam Brownback and Jeff Colyer

How have you demonstrated you would be the best choice of voters?

Sam Brownback: More Kansans are working now than ever before in the history of the state. We've created over 53,000 new private sector jobs. At 4.8%, we have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. We are fourth in the nation in new construction. The tax burden on small businesses is low, the regulatory climate is stable, and we have implemented a new model of delivering Career and Technical Education that is giving our young Kansans the skills they need to compete, and win, in the highly mobile global economy of the future. Kansas is moving forward and growing again.

Jennifer Winn: I am not financed by corporations or special interest groups, which will allow me to govern in a fashion that is consistent with the needs of the people of Kansas. I am not a career politician who is running for office with the primary goal of furthering a political career.

What would be your top three policy reform proposals?

Brownback: My top three priorities for policy initiatives over the next four years would relate to continuing our efforts to grow the economy, continuing our efforts to get more money to the classroom, and continuing our efforts to protect Kansans from federal overreach.

Winn: My top three priorities upon taking office will be education, jobs, and transparency in government.

Outline specifics of your plan to build upon the state's economic development programs.

Brownback: Moving forward, I believe we have a tremendous opportunity to recruit businesses as they look to re-shore their operations back to the U.S. from overseas- particularly in the areas of manufacturing, services, and information technology. We also need to focus on increasing our exports- particularly our aviation and agricultural products, and recruiting young innovative entrepreneurs to help us revitalize some of our struggling communities.

Winn: Our government, whether it be local, state, or federal, should not be in the business of choosing economic winners and losers. Using a complex system of tax incentives, subsidies, and bonds, not to mention no bid-contracts, our state hands out over $1.01 billion in corporate welfare, every year. Most of the companies that do business in Kansas never receive a dime, but are forced to compete with the corporations that are awarded taxpayer money. Proponents of these business incentives claim that we have to offer companies this legal form of bribery in order to compete with other states that do the same.

However, most businesses in this country would prefer to operate without having to worry about rubbing shoulders with, or contributing to the campaigns of the right elected officials. Most businesses in this country would prefer to compete with businesses that stand on their own merit, as opposed to competing with corporations that are "too big to fail", or, too connected to fail, as the case may be.

Kansas can set the bar for economic fairness by eliminating the corporate welfare and adopting pay-to-play legislation. Pay-to-play legislation prohibits elected officials from voting on bills/ orinances where they have a financial conflict of interest. This would prevent a mayor, city councilor, county commissioner, or state legislator from voting on a bill that would directly benefit the corporations that finance their campaigns. We can also pass legislation that will force private, non-profit development organizations to open their books, when the majority of that organization's funding comes from the taxpayers.

Coupling this with full-disclosure on lobbying expenditures will put a stop to the cronyism that plagues our state economy. If companies know they will get a fair shot in the Kansas economy, those who seek to conduct their business in an ethical manner will flock to create jobs in Kansas. Instead of Kansas offering taxpayer- funded bribes to corporations in order to compete with other states' bribes, as we are now, other states will end up competing with Kansas to create the most transparent and ethical economic environment.

What is your perspective on federal health insurance reform (Obamacare) and how would you improve delivery of health care to all Kansans?

Brownback: Healthcare policy for Kansans should be developed by Kansans and not by unelected bureaucrats in Washington. We should seek solutions that produce better health outcomes and provide additional services, at a cost taxpayers can afford, as we have done with the KanCare program and the recent expansion of autism services for children.

Winn: I support the notion of providing affordable health care to those who so desperately need coverage. However, I do not support the government's mandate to require American citizens to purchase any product under the penalty of a fine. Obamacare has resulted in increased premiums for middle class families and small business owners, and we cannot afford to pay another dime. On the other hand, I do support expanding Medicaid to help low-income families and veterans who are currently not being served by the VA, in affording health coverage, if they so choose to enroll.

Explain your views on the latest round of school finance litigation and list your best ideas for improving student performance.

Brownback: I was very pleased to sign legislation this year that increased funding to Kansas schools by more than $130 million. The bill also provided funding bonuses for master teachers and more money for technical education. State funding for K-12 has increased every year I have been in office. More teachers are in the classroom. Teacher salaries have increased. At the same time we've been able to make strategic investments in programs with results that are measureable and broadly supported. For example, we've dramatically enhanced the delivery of technical education in Kansas and now hundreds of high school graduates are obtaining industry recognized technical certifications. These certificates will allow them to support themselves and their families as they either work their way through college or enter the workforce. We are also funding the Jobs for America's Graduates program that mentors high school students who are at-risk of dropping out. It's been a tremendously successful program that is changing the lives of our children every day. Moving forward, I will continue to support legislation and funding to effectively increase career and college readiness and literacy skills for Kansas students. I will also intensify our focus on improving our educational outcomes in key areas such as science, technology, engineering and math.

Winn: I am pleased that the Kansas Supreme Court ordered the Brownback administration to bring state funding back to Constitutional levels, but I believe that we need to look at overhead expenses in our school districts and eliminate wasteful spending on unnecessary administrative salaries, costly new building construction, and put that money into the classrooms, where it will directly benefit our children. We can improve student performance by moving the emphasis away from standardized testing and instead focusing on individual student needs, rather than using blanket solutions provided by the federal government, such as Common Core.

What is your assessment of the movement to legalize same-sex marriage?

Brownback: I swore an oath to support the Constitution of the State of Kansas and an overwhelming majority of Kansas voters amended the Constitution to include a definition of marriage as one man and one woman. When a majority of voters decide they want to amend the Constitution, they can do so, but activist judges should not be overruling the people of Kansas.

Winn: I believe we need to find a balance that preserves religious freedom while ensuring that same-sex couples are not being discriminated against, neither socially nor economically.

What election reforms would you endorse to inspire greater participation at the polls?

Brownback: We should expand the mailing of advanced ballot applications to all registered voters. Some counties are doing this already and it is working well for them. We should also continue to pass legislation like the property tax transparency bill I signed into law earlier this year that provides voters with additional information when their local government increases their property taxes.

Winn: I believe election days should be national holidays. I would also support moving city elections to November, rather than holding them in April, because the April elections have a low- turnout.

In what ways do you propose abortion law applicable to Kansas be altered?

Brownback: I will continue to support pro-life legislation. One of the most important pro-life bills I have signed was HB 2035 in 2011. This bill mandated that a parent consent for a minor child seeking an abortion. Kansans expect our government to protect the most vulnerable among us. This bill serves as an example how we can protect Kansas children from those who may seek to exploit them.

Winn: I am pro-life, with the understanding that contraception, and preventing unwanted pregnancy is the first step in eliminating the need for abortion.

What are your preferences in modification of state property, sales and income taxes?

Brownback: Over the last four years we have lowered the income tax, lowered the sales tax, and passed legislation to lower property taxes. We need to continue to support tax policies that keep the burden on our small businesses and struggling families low.

Winn: I believe that if we stop spending Kansans' hard-earned tax dollars on corporate welfare, and on the investigation, prosecution, and mass incarceration of non-violent drug offenders, that we will have plenty of money to fund our schools, senior citizens, the disabled, and other essential programs, and that we can lower taxes on middle and working class families, across the board.

How would you like to revise Kansas law on open and concealed carrying of handguns?

Brownback: I will continue to support legislation that protects the 2nd amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.

Winn: I would not revise the laws on open and concealed carry of handguns.