Nebraska State Legislative District 31 Choose 1
4-year term, limited to two consecutive terms, $12,000Members of the country’s only unicameral legislative body create laws and make the rules for Nebraskans under certain constitutional limitations. This body also oversees many health care services and decides how much money public schools (from kindergartens to colleges) receive each year. If you are concerned about who pays how much in taxes and how those funds get spent, this is a very important election.
Biographical Information
Education
B.S. in Education from Miami University (Ohio) 1997, M.S. Resource Teaching and Learning Disabilities from University of Nebraska-Omaha, 2001.
Current Public Office, dates held
None
Past Public Office, dates held
None
Military experience
None
Volunteer experience
Classroom volunteer (Millard Public Schools), Girl Scouts, Countryside Community Church Board of Women's Fellowship, Board of Christian Education, and Parents of Young Children facilitator, Nebraska Diaper Bank
Campaign Twitter Handle
@@MaryAnn4NE
What is your top concern about K-12 education in Nebraska and what would be your solution?
My top concern about K-12 education in Nebraska is the current teacher shortage. Teachers are the most important assets in the school. The state needs to find creative ways to recruit and retain teachers through partnerships with local school districts and teacher preparation programs. Incentives might include loan forgiveness, signing bonuses, retention bonuses, student teaching stipends, and childcare credits. Strong, competitive wages and access to healthcare and affordable housing are also critical.
What steps would you support to ensure access to clean water for all Nebraskans?
Nebraska has some of the best water resources in the country and the vast majority of Nebraskans use groundwater as their drinking water. We must protect this resource. Funding is needed for continual water quality testing, research, remediation, and education about natural solutions such as using indigenous plants to filter waterways. Better oversight and enforcement from the NDEE is needed to prevent future incidents such as what happened at the AltEn plant in Mead. Farmers help by planting field buffers, cover crops, and utilizing strategic water and nutrient management.
What are the most important challenges facing our state, and how do you propose to address them?
The workforce shortage in combination with a net migration loss of young people is a continuing challenge for our state. Keeping our university system strong, competitive, and dynamic will attract young students to the state. Paid family leave, fair and competitive wages, and access to healthcare are critical for attracting and retaining workers and families. Public-private partnerships which expand access to affordable housing and quality, affordable childcare can also be part of the solution.
Biographical Information
Education
Masters in Public Policy, BA in Criminology
Current Public Office, dates held
State Legislator - LD31 June, 2022 - current
Past Public Office, dates held
na
Military experience
na
Volunteer experience
Omaha City Charter Commission Aging Advisory Committee, State of Nebraska Volunteer Judge and Coach, UNL Law School Vice President, Omaha Senior Resources Group 2017 ENOA Foster Grandparents Advisory Board Member 2017 - current Concord Mediation Cent
Website
http://kathleenkauth.com
What is your top concern about K-12 education in Nebraska and what would be your solution?
Our test scores continue to fall, and our kids seem to be very fragile. I would like to. have a wider variety of offerings for kids so they can be in the environment the best serves them.
What steps would you support to ensure access to clean water for all Nebraskans?
Continue to support legislation that helps pursue lower nitrates.
What are the most important challenges facing our state, and how do you propose to address them?
Pushing back on federal overreach. We as a state need to be willing to address difficult issues, and not allow the federal government to go beyond its' boundaries.