Personal Biography
I'm a farmer and a state representative. I live in St. John and attend Calvary Baptist Church, located three miles north of Stafford.
Education
Bachelor's Degree-Business Administration-Sterling College
Community/Public Service
I've served in various roles in my church. I've been a substitute teacher at St. John. I'm a part of the oddfellow's lodge in St. John and do some volunteer work with them.
I'm the current representative in the 113th District, and I serve on committees that are important to our district. I serve on the Water and Agriculture Committees in Topeka. I've learned a lot on the water committee, and water is a big issue in our state. It also works well for me to serve on these committees since I'm a farmer. I'm hopeful that I'll continue to serve on these committees if reelected.
Property taxes are a big issue to the people of my district. I believe that we can reduce property taxes by reducing the 20 mill state property tax. Schools would then just receive a larger percentage of their funding from income and sales taxes.
I believe that state spending has been too high, which has resulted in tax rates that are higher than the national average. I support passing a Constitutional amendment to place a cap on state spending, to prevent spending from rising higher than the rate of inflation each year.
Water is another big issue in Kansas right now. Preserving the Ogallala Aquifer in Western Kansas is a big issue. I support local solutions such as LEMA's and WCA's to address this problem.
I support increasing transparency in the Kansas legislature. I voted for every Democratic amendment to the house rules to increase transparency in the house. I introduced my own amendment to make it easier to get recorded roll call votes. I dislike the "gut and go" process and dislike placing so many bills in conference committee reports. I believe there needs to be a limit placed on the number of bills that can be placed in conference committee reports. I believe that all votes should be recorded, including committee votes and all votes on the house floor.
I'm not in favor of major changes to Kansas election laws. For example, I support keeping the three weeks of early voting and support keeping mail in voting as an option. However, I do support changes to our election laws that are designed to increase voter confidence in our elections. Many voters in our state no longer have confidence in our elections. I voted in favor of legislation to end the three day grace period for receiving mail in ballots. This legislation also added three days of early voting at the beginning, giving voters ample time to get their mail in ballots returned. This increases voter confidence since many voters are concerned when vote totals change after Election Day.
Campaign Phone
6202824054
Personal Biography
My name is Jo Ann Roth. I am a candidate for State Representative, 113th District which is located in central Kansas; parts of Barton, Pawnee, and all of Rice, Stafford and Rush Counties. A little about my reasons for seeking public office, I was married to Kent Roth in 1979. After experiencing infertility issues, my husband and I adopted two (2) children, now adults. Many women have shared with me their own stories of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancies and infertility.
Education
My past leadership training includes. I was a member of Kansas Agriculture & Rural Leadership (KARL IV) 1998-99, touring Kansas Industries and traveling to Washington DC and South America, Chili & Argentina. I am currently a member of Kansas Farm Bureau and grew up on a farm north of Cheyenne Bottoms; I am the daughter of Bob and Bonnie Wirth. My Dad was a full time farmer and part time Union Carpenter. I also belonged to a Labor Union, like my Father and Grandfather, when working for the Federal Government.
Community/Public Service
The People of Kansas voted overwhelmingly in August 2022 to keep personal autonomy, the right to control one’s own body, a constitutional right in Kansas. The Republican Incumbent recently emailed that a woman in a crisis pregnancy carrying a baby which cannot survive outside the womb should be required to undergo a C section delivery. Clearly, imposing this belief upon women in Kansas will lead to an increase in maternal deaths. Denying medical care until the patient is near death or mandating a surgical procedure such as a Cesarean section amounts to violence against women. Please view the Dr. Besty Wickstom video as evidence that I do not exaggerate.
Democracy must be defended. In Kansas the majority, 59% in August 2022, voted in favor of reproductive rights and the Incumbent continues to seek restrictions or an outright ban on this Individual Right.
Public Safety
Larned State Hospital is understaffed. While community-based programs are essential, we must not neglect Larned State Hospital for employee, patient and public safety. Safety and Salaries must improve which will attract a first class work force.
Health
Billions of dollars which would have been paid to Kansas Hospitals and Healthcare Providers have been lost due to the failure of the Legislature to expand Medicaid. I support expansion of Medicaid in Kansas. Hospitals in Kansas face crisis level staffing concerns and additional Federal Dollars will help address the rural Hospital closure concern.
Privacy
The People of Kansas voted overwhelmingly in August 2022 to keep personal autonomy, this must be respected.
A Return to Regular Order would be my goal. Late night take it or leave it votes should not be tolerated. Leaders must not obstruct the majority of the membership or be removed from leadership.
The recent changes in Kansas Election Laws which caused groups like the league of Women Voters to stop voter registration drives should be repealed.
