Page 6 University Dally Kansan, September 29, 1980
Candidates' low profiles belie race for 45th seat
By BILL VOGRIN Staff Reporter
The low profile of the two candidates in the race for the 48th District sent of the state House of Representatives does not accurately depict the intensity of the contest.
Solbach calmly responded to the charges.
Knyt Sandy, the Republican challenger, last week blasted his incumbent Democratic opponent, State Rep John M. Solbach, for "not representing the conscience of the district."
He criticized Solbach for loaining touch with the members of the district and for voting against the party's bid.
"It is hard to determine what a majority view is," Solbach said yesterday at his home in Douglas County. "But you can't rely on unscholarly scientific proof." You could poll the state of Kansas, feed the results into a computer and let that guide you.
"We can't do that."
THERE ARE five diverse issues that Snyder thinks Solbach let the district down on. Snyder's charges are vague, and, according to Solbach, unsubstantiated.
Snyder said Solbach misrepresented the district on a capital punishment bill, a prayer in school bill, a state spending lid bill and a bill that would have exempted farm machinery from taxation. He also questioned Solbach's amendment to the Kansas Landlord-Tenant act.
The capital punishment issue is an emotional one for Solbach.
"I had to decide if it would be more than just a death ritual, if passing a bill for capital punishment would enhance the quality of life or
serve a utilitarian purpose or deter crime," Solbach said.
"It was an honest decision on my part. At this time, I could not vote in favor of capital punishment."
ACCORDING TO the information he had studied, Solbach said, capital punishment destroyed respect for human life and engendered disrespect for the law.
"I didn't vote against it because I am squeamish," he said. "I have seen hundreds of young men die during my service in the Marine Corps in Vietnam.
"I would be betraying my own conscience and the people who have put their trust in me. I have
Analysis
to make decisions according to what I honestly believe."
He said that knowing how a legislator reached a decision was as important as the vote he cast. Solbach said he voted according to his firm beliefs.
Snyder said that he would not be in favor of capital punishment, but that he would "yield to the majority view of the district."
ANOTHER QUESTION is how Snyder would know the majority view of the district. Snyder, 21, has completed two years at the University of Kansas and has lived in the 48th District about
His sincerity and commitment to the district also has been an issue. He originally filed for office in the 44th District, but apparently shied away from running because of the candidacy of
Snyder moved and established residency in the 45th District but denied he had any political motive for the change of address. He also would have to drop out of college if he was elected and take a possible leave-of-absence from Stephens Real Estate, Inc., where he works.
Wint Winter Jr., son of State Sen. Wint Winter, R-Ottawa
it is important to consider his age and lack of experience or degree," Solbach said, "but he has every right to run for the Legislature. It is open to anyone who is willing to run."
ANOTHER OF THE ISSUES, Solbach's pride, the self-help amendment to the Landlord-Tenant Act, was something Snyder said he could not get too excited about.
The amendment was not adopted in the 1980 session.
"It throws me off," Snyder last week from his office. "The incumbent worked on the amendment, was a two-year project, and then he got excited that just can't get too excited about a bill like that."
Solbach contends that the amendment is very workable and that he did not give up on it. Rather, he has shepherded it through an interim committee that studied it this summer, and is confident that it has a chance for passage in the 1981 session.
Simplified, the amendment would allow tenants of rental property to make repairs on their apartments or houses, less than $100 or one-half of the periodic rent. If the landlord fails to respond to the tenant's request, the landlord then would be billed for the repairs.
"This is very much alive, and I have worked extremes with this get this concept to clear a barrier." "Solihua," she added.
COMMUTE: SOLENDE: QUESTIONED whether Snyder's
close association with the real estate business had anything to do with his seeming lack of interest in the self-help amendment.
"I have received threatening letters from Realtors who have said they have lots of time to negotiate with them. I will wait on the bill, they would do everything they could to see that I don't get re-elected," Solbach said.
The state Realtor's association is one of Snyder's most enthusiastic supporters, and also is one of the biggest opponents of the self-help amendment.
snyder claimed that Solbach missed an important vote on a farm machinery tax exemption bill in 1979 and then voted against a similar bill in 1980.
Sobach said he had 100 percent attendance in 1979, but did miss a vote on a tax exemption bill that passed overwhelmingly in 1980, and which had his support anyway.
1n we vote had been close, I would have left the courtroom and the case I was defending and driven to Topena and cast my vote in favor of the bill," Sollach said. "I have missed only three votes. And the judicial process had been taken I would've been called out of court and been there for the vote."
THE CLAIM BY Snyder that Solbach voted against a state spending lid is inaccurate, according to Solbach. The incumbent did he said, in fact, vote against several state spending lids, but that he also voted in favor of two or three bills that would have imposed a spending lid.
Solbach also voted against a bill that would have started a program for prayer in public schools. Snyder said he thought the people in the district wanted prayer in the schools.
"I would stand on the floor of the House and fight for freedom of religion, and it was hard to
vote against a bill that promotes praying in school. But the United States and the Kansas constitutions both state that the Legislature shall pass no law establishing a religion. Solbach
said:
HE SAID THAT the bill would get government involved in religion and that he thought the two should be separated.
According to reports filed with the Ethics Committee after the August primary, Snyder spent more money in the primary than 82 other candidates in the state. His was the 11th greatest amount spent.
"I think attendance is important to representing the district and I would be there to cast my vote. Snyder said in outlining his goals if elected. "I would try to maintain rapport with the public." He mattered relatively little what is going on in the Legislature, and will visit to the county.
SOLBACH TRINKS that the effectiveness of a regulator can be measured two ways, and he
"I have sponsored or co-sponsored 14 pieces of legislation in my first term," he said. "Three are in committee and are still alive. A community resource bill and an amendment to the adoption law both became law, and four concepts I proposed became law."
"That is a 60 percent passage rate, while the average bill has a 27 percent passage rate."
The other way to judge a legislator, Solbach said, was by his ability to push legislation through the legislative process. The critical bills—the ability to form coalitions and get bills into and through committees.
The two candidates will square off at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at the KU School of Law 'Noon
Meet with WOMEN interested in forming support groups
Areas of Personal Interest
Women's Support Group Being Over 30
Men's Support Group Ending Sexism
Lesbian Support Group Being Leaders
Buxusual Support Women and Art
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If you wish to share your thoughts and feeling with others concerned about similar issues, this evening is for you.
DATE: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1980
TIME: 7:30 P.M.
PLACE: PINE ROOM, KANSAS UNION
At 7:45 there will be a panel of speakers on ways to organize and lead support groups. There will be time to meet in your row groups immediately following the event. By the Elysian Center, Office of the Status of Women, Information Center, Women's Coalition, Men's Coalition, KU-7, and Women's Studies.
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Attention Seniors:
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