Kansas House of Representatives, District 105
The Kansas House of Representatives is the lower house of the legislature of the U.S. state of Kansas. Composed of 125 state representatives from districts with roughly equal populations of at least 19,000, its members are responsible for crafting and voting on legislation, helping to create a state budget, and legislative oversight over state agencies.
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John Burke
(Dem)
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Jill Ann Ward
(Rep)
What makes you the best candidate for this position? What skills, expertise, or competencies qualify you?
What are Kansas's three most important issues, and how do you intend to address them?
How would you make it easier for Kansas citizens to follow bills as they flow through the legislature? What, if any, changes would you propose in the “Gut and Go” process?
Would you support changes to Kansas election laws and voting systems? Why?
Ballot City
WICHITA
Campaign Phone
3162072105
Personal Biography
I was born in Chicago and raised in St. Louis. I served as a Kansas school superintendent for 36 years with the last 18 years being in Haysville USD 261. My wife and I have four grown children who all graduated from Campus High School in Haysville.
Education
After high school, went to the University of Oklahoma where I was a member of the football and wrestling teams. I received my bachelor's degree from DePauw University. I received my master's degree from the University of Arizona. I earned my building and district administrator certifications at the University of Kansas. I received my doctor of philosophy degree from Kansas State University.
Community/Public Service
I each school district where I served as superintendent I have been elected as president of the local chamber of commerce. In addition, I have been a member of various social organizations like the Lion's Club and the Rotary Club. I served for several years as the president of Haysville Forward (an economic development organization). I am currently chair of the West Wichita YMCA Advisory Board.
During my 36 years as a school superintendent I had the pleasure of working with boards of education to lead school districts to awards and improvements. I am the kind of leader that helps everyone in the organization get better. Being a school superintendent, you are presented with challenges and opportunities to lead every day. Many times you have to help others find ways to compromise in order to solve problems. As a legislator, these experiences would help me to reach across the aisle to work with other legislators from other parties to do what's best for the people of Kansas. I pride myself in being a good listener. I want to listen to the citizens of my district and truly represent them in the legislature.
The vast majority of Kansans favor fully funding Public schools, reducing taxes, and expanding Medicaid.
I want to work with other members of the legislature to increase funding for public schools. Kansas ranks 35th in the nation for average starting pay for teachers and 39th in the nation for average teacher salaries. We must improve our salaries if we are to attract and retain the best teachers.
While the legislature and Governor made progress last session to reduce taxes for Kansans, more needs to be done. A sensible tax plan ensures this would happen.
40 of the 50 states have approved Medicaid expansion. It is past time for Kansas to join the others. This would provide insurance for 150,000 Kansans and help our rural hospitals.
I would recommend that a flow chart be created for each bill so that people could know where each piece of legislation was in the legislative process. I would propose banning the "Gut and Go" process as undemocratic.
I support making it easier for all registered voters to vote in Kansas. I would support sending a mail-in ballot to every registered Kansas voter in an effort to make sure all Kansans are heard.
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