Debates reveal splits among GOP legislative candidates

July 22--Six legislative candidates took the stage of the Historic Fox Theatre in downtown Hutchinson on Thursday night, but the real drama will unfold on primary dlection day, Aug. 2.

Those voting the Republican ballot will have two choices in the 104th and 114th House Districts, and in the 34th State Senate District.

Gov. Sam Brownback won't be on the ballot, but candidates assessed his leadership.

The debate enabled candidates "to make some of our differences known," said Sen. Terry Bruce, Nickerson, after the event attended by about 320 people.

Bruce versus Berger

"My dealings with the governor have been very positive," said former Hutchinson Community College President Ed Berger, challenging Bruce. Berger praised legislation allowing high school students to get a jump on career-learning at a community college.

However, Berger criticized the impact of the 2012 income tax cuts for businesses that exempted 331,000 taxpayers. He also attacked Brownback's stand -- shared by Bruce -- against expanding Medicaid. About 150,000 Kansas are without coverage -- almost sinful, in Berger's view.

This was brought to us by Obamacare, Bruce responded. To give able-bodied working adults something for free -- "Give a benefit for nothing?" -- was wrong, he said.

The threshold for KanCare, the umbrella for the Medicaid program, is $5,000, and one can't even have a part-time job and qualify, Berger said.

A leader has to assess when he is wrong, Berger said. Sometimes he has to take a 180-degree turn or reverse, said Berger, in reference to Brownback.

"He is a very honest man, very caring man," Bruce said of Brownback. "That may shock some people," he said, because of criticism aimed at the governor. He's "very meek and humble," Bruce said.

Bruce pointed to his own role, as Senate majority leader, at stepping up and working with colleagues when legislation was stalled.

Bruce disagreed when Berger said Bruce had voted for the largest tax hike in history. A tax hike in 2010 was larger, Bruce said.

Neither Bruce nor Berger likes the current 6.5 percent state sales tax on food, but Berger didn't know how the state would offset the loss of that revenue now. Bruce pointed out that those in extreme poverty get government aid.

Bruce said the income tax cuts of 2012 are wrongly blamed for the state's revenue shortfalls. He also stressed that consumption tax -- or sales tax -- was preferable to income or property taxes.

Bruce and Berger each called themselves pro-life.

Becker versus Peachey

It's the rate of increased state funding for schools that's been cut. The state has given a lot of money to schools, said Lowell Peachey, Hutchinson, a nursing home executive challenging Rep. Steven Becker, Buhler, in the 104th House race.

Becker said he wants to be part of writing the new school finance formula. One component he would insert: The budget for schools would go up when the cost of living rises.

The differences between Bruce and Berger paralleled some of the differences between Peachey and Becker.

On expanding Medicaid: It would create jobs, Becker said, and help hospitals. Peachey said he could not support it because he doesn't believe it wouldn't cost the state. Plus, it would increase the federal deficit. "And I care about that, too," Peachey said.

On taxes: "Taxpayers pay all the taxes," Peachey said of the discussion about sales or income or property taxes. "Economic growth will drive the economy," he said. Becker, however, alluded to the income tax cuts and said a huge problem has been created. The state needs "comprehensive, sustainable tax reform," Becker said.

On the local tax lid: The tax lid the Legislature put on local units of government "doesn't bother me a lot," Peachey said, because it allows people to vote on mill hikes. Becker didn't like the tax lid and said many legislators "preach limited government" but then they interfere with cities and counties.

On Brownback: There was no leadership from the governor in 2015 and legislative leadership was fractured, resulting in a record-long session, Becker said. Brownback "has a good heart," Peachey said. The rollout of the 2012 tax changes could have been better, but Brownback doesn't talk enough about the good things happening, Peachey said.

Thimesch versus Crainer

Rep. Jack Thimesch, Spivey, said he feels as if he has worked with legislators on both sides of the political aisle. As for Brownback, Thimesch said, he was elected by the people.

Crainer, owner of an insurance business, said he was not really blaming the governor. The Legislature gave its power away, passing a budget that relied on Brownback to make cuts.

Thimesch and Crainer are running in the 114th House District. Crainer's views largely aligned with those of Berger and Becker.

"I think Topeka is a mess," Crainer said.

On Medicaid expansion: "This one is easy," Crainer said. He said he didn't get why the state didn't take federal dollars, especially because rural hospitals are hurting. It is discussed every year in Topeka, Thimesch said, but he didn't think the state could pick up the bill if it expanded and federal dollars receded.

On school funding: Look at how school dollars are spent, urged Thimesch, saying he wanted money to reach the classroom, not to pay for extras such as additional gyms. Thimesch provided the deciding vote on a bill that removed due-process rights for teachers, Crainer noted.

On values: Vote for a Republican with conservative goals, Thimesch said. Crainer will hurt constituents' pocketbooks, he said. Crainer said Thimesch voted for legislation that increased sales tax and swept highway funds for other needs. Both said they were pro-life and pro-Second Amendment.

The debate program, sponsored by the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce and The News, lasted nearly two hours. The Chamber's leader, Jason Ball, was moderator. Asking questions were Ron Sylvester, managing editor of The News, and Eagle Radio's Fred Gough.

At times, candidates found it difficult to hear questions and even the bell that signaled time was up. The audience was asked to refrain from booing and it did.

The four House candidates shared the stage first. Then it was the Senate candidates' turn. Some questions asked came from The News' readers who had submitted questions.

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