Issues
-
Early Childhood Education
Research increasingly proves that children with access to early childhood education make significant headway in language development, pre-reading and math skills and social and emotional skills that are recognized widely as critical to a successful workforce. This is why House Democrats moved to...
-
Economy
In these uncertain economic times, House Democrats are working hard to keep our state economy headed in the right direction. Following the lead of Governor Sebelius, House Democrats have supported over $1.2 billion in targeted tax relief over the past four years to encourage business investment...
-
Education
The education debate is always one of the most important discussions we consider in the Legislature. The House approved legislation in 2008 that increases state funding for public schools by $37.2 million in the 2009-2010 school year. It adds a fourth year to the school finance plan originally...
-
Energy
Kansas has a unique opportunity to become a national leader in the production of biofuels and wind energy in the United States. Increased renewable energy production will not only help our country become more energy independent, it will boost our state's economy, provide new markets for...
-
Fiscal Responsibility
The most powerful expression of Kansas values appears in the form of the annual state budget. No one grasps the necessity of doing more with less in the Capitol than Kansas House Democrats. As a caucus outnumbered 47-78, our members must rely heavily on innovative thinking and talent in order...
-
Health Care
The Legislature has considered different proposals over the years to improve Kansas' health care system. Too many Kansans, however, still struggle to afford or access the health services they deserve. Almost 300,000 Kansans remain uninsured.
-
Immigration
Worker misclassification penalties critical to illegal immigration reform In an effort to address problems associated with illegal immigration, the House approved measures for immigration reform during the 2008 legislative session. Unfortunately, a final compromise...
-
Minimum Wage
House Democrats have always been committed to Kansas working families and lead the fight for higher wage standards across the state. In 2008, House Democrats attempted to give Kansas workers a raise by increasing the state's minimum wage to $5.85 per hour. Currently, Kansas minimum wage is the...
-
State Employee Pay Plan
In 2008, the Legislature finally took steps to bring state employee compensation to a level that is somewhat competitive with the private sector. During the last legislative session, five new classified state employee pay plans were approved for implementation, along with a new statewide...
-
Transportation
State and national highway officials must explore new methods of funding transportation projects in Kansas. Lawmakers of the House and Senate Transportation and Tax Committees received information last session regarding the inability of America's infrastructure to handle the volume of people and...
