Page 6
University Daily Kansan, October 6, 1980
Candidates run a subdued race in 46th district
By BILL VOGRIN Staff Reporter
Inexperience and a low-key, closed-mouth approach to campaigning have characterized the race for the 46th District state representative seat.
Wade Amison Jr., the Republican challenger is inexperienced. Betty Jo Charlton, the Democratic incumbent is low-key and running a quiet, yet deliberate campaign for the office. It is a lack-luster race.
Charlton, 57, was appointed to Mike Glover's 44th District seat when Glover resigned to concentrate on his private
Analysis
law practice last year. When district lines were redrawn, Charlton became the representative of the 46th District. She has never been elected to office.
Amison, 32, is a school teacher.
Charlton said that she had special feelings for the University, but that she was "tired of hearing people say that the economic base of the community."
Amissia says the University of
Iceland is increasing its importance in
presenting the 40th Anniversary.
"I imagine there are a lot of people in the community who are tired of hearing that, and wouldn't miss KU if it was one," she said.
BUT CHARLTON QUICKLY added
but those people didn't understand
them.
"Oh, I am an advocate of higher education, and I feel a special responsibility towards KU because I live so close here," she said. "But I believe such acts of benefit are just as important, just as beneficial as the economic aspects."
Amison said he had no doubts that KU had an important role in community
"There's no doubt that KU plays a vital part in the community and county." Amison said. "It is the No. 1 industry in Lawrence, and we need to keep funding at the same level or better as it has been in the past.
"KU is very low in teacher pay our first priority. Research and construction are important and should be continued, but not at the expense of teacher salaries.
"To keep quality teachers and professors, we have to keep up the salaries or we will gradually see a slow decline in the quality of the staff."
THESE STANDS ARE SOME of the reasons why Arison feels he is qualified and wants to be elected to the representative's post.
"I think I can represent the people of the 46th District better than anyone else," Amison said yesterday. "I share a lot of the same beliefs of the people of the district. I am not an experienced amateur." I think that's kind of an advantage.
Charlton maintains a very business-like attitude, about her job, but she does not seem eager to explain what her abilities or goals will be if she is elected.
Betty Jo Charlton
Willie Amison
"I don't have specific legislation in mind if I arm elected, and that is not the most important part of representing a district," Charlton said last weekend. "My job is more of representing the people of the state in our relationship with state government than sponsoring specialized legislation."
Amison said he would hold meetings in precincts and neighborhoods to let the people of the district know what he was doing and why in the Legislature.
"It is a promise that many politicians have made but never follow through on," he said. "I will follow through with it."
CHARLTON SAID THREE bills she had co-sponsored in her first term had become law. She said that was an example of her effectiveness, and an accomplishment for a first-term representative.
The three units were an amendment to the community corrections act, the establishment of a nursing home orate employees transportation program.
"I think school finance, classification of real estate for tax purposes and financing of highway improvements in the next session," Charlton said.
Charlton does take definite stands on the issues that will come up in the next session.
“the spending lid issue is a phony issue,” Charlton said. “We are on a cash basis in the state, we can't spend money that, so I think it is a phony issue.”
Amison is interested in getting
opinions from his constituents, before he takes a definite stand on controversial and emotional issues.
SHE SAID THE LEGISLATORS asking for a spending lid were simply admitting they can't discipline them to keep them within spending limits.
"We would not be passing that law for anyone but ourselves," she said.
Amison has definite opinions on tax
increases and a possible shift in the tax structure, but is indefinite on the spending lid question.
"There are so many variables, it seems to be a question of controlling ourselves in the Legislature," Amison said. "I would have to study the problem and see more information before I could say anything about a spending lid."
"But everyone is panicking because there is talk of a tax shift; it is kind of a political game. They are playing on us to make a tax increase making it an issue."
time to deal with the tax structure problem.
"I know the people of this district are in favor of paying their fair share, but I would definitely vote against an increase in taxes," he said. "We have a couple of years to figure out the tax structure issue."
Charilton is against capital punishment and would not favor any attempt to reinstate the death penalty in Kansas.
AMISON SAID THERE was plenty of
"I'm sure it will come up again, they will try and embarrass the governor again, but you can't fight violence with violence," she said.
Amison said he was in limbo on the question of the death penalty, but would yield to the wishes of the people in the district.
"I am not an advocate of the death penalty, and it would take time to decide how to vote on it," he said. "If it can be shown that capital punishment deters crime, then I might vote for it. Polls show that 75 percent of the state wants it, and I think this district is probably in favor of it."
NEITHER CANDIDATE is a proponent of abortion, but neither would favor a constitutional ban on abortions.
"I don't believe in abortion," Charlton said. "It is a social problem that needs to be dealt with, but I don't know the solution."
She said the question should be dealt not in a constitutional amendment.
"I don't think a constitutional amendment is the way to do it," she said. "You shouldn't put something like a ban on certain conditions. Maybe on a local level, a state level."
Amison does not think abortions should be banned.
"I don't think I should be able to tell someone they can or cannot have an abortion and we should not have a baby in the womb in fondment banning abortions," he said.
"It is a tough question, and after a certain time, then it shouldn't be allowed, but in the first month of the pregnancy, I don't know."
CHARLITON IS OPPOSED, also, to nuclear power and would oppose any further construction of nuclear generating plants in Kansas.
Amison says he has taken a "realistic approach" and concedes that "nuclear power is here to stay."
"I am opposed to nuclear power, it is not safe or economical. As someone said, it is a terribly dangerous and ex-positive way to boil water," Charlton said.
The challenger has a different view. "I'd be a fool to say I want to stop nuclear power," Amison said. "It is a very good source of energy, the most important thing is to get restrictions on it, impose safeguards."
According to Amison, the 46th District is dominated by Democrats and independents, but he is confident he has a chance at victory.
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