THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2006
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NEWS 3A
Candidates address issues relevant to students
In an effort to inform students about the general election on Nov. 7, The University Daily Kansan asked state legislators and candidates about issues such as higher education, the University's deferred maintenance, the environment and health care.State legislators are responsible for approving bills and budgets proposed by the governor or its members Barbara Ballard (D-Lawrence) and Republican challenger Rick Davis, a KU student, are running against one another to represent the 44th District.The 44th District covers west-central Lawrence.Paul Davis (D-Lawrence) and Libertarian Marc Kirby, KU junior, are running for the 46th District, which covers an area in north-central Lawrence.
The remaining Lawrence district candidates and officials will be featured later this week.
BY ERIN CASTANEDA 44th District
Ballard is the incumbent representative. She is also the University Administrator for the Robert J.Dole Institute of Politics and a KU faculty member. She worked on the Lawrence school board for eight years.
Davis first attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney where he started the school's first College Republican organization. He is currently a University of Kansas junior majoring in political science. He plans to attend law school at the University.
Higher Education
Ballard: The problem we have is that on the federal level, we are not getting as much financial aid as we were. There has been some talk by the Board of Regents that when students come in as freshmen, their tuition costs would stay the same. I would be in favor of that so families can better plan for college.
Davis: It's the most important thing we have and my highest priority. I plan to implement a Welfare to School program that is designed to get people into school instead of working at fast-food restaurants. When you look and see our welfare program, we are encouraging people to get a job, but six months down the road they are looking for another one. I want them to go back to school to get educated, get a job so they can provide for themselves
and not return to the system. I want them to be able to afford school through their senior year too.
Deferred Maintenance
Ballard: The Board of Regens has to develop a plan for deferred maintenance and they plan to really talk about it this year. Several years ago they submitted a plan for "Crumbling Classrooms." It was a $160 million plan we did pass. I believe the Lawrence campus received $44 million from that. Since then, there have been more and more problems, and that money still hasn't taken care of everything. I would vote for it and talk with other legislators about why this is important.
Davis: We need to take an active look at funding deferred maintenance because it's just going to add up and get worse. The state has a responsibility to do that.
Environment
Ballard: I would be looking at renewable energy, things you can recycle, wind energy and how you conserve energy. If there is an energy bill out there and it would help Kansas, yes, I would be in favor of that. But people need to be educated too, so they know what they can do in their homes that doesn't take a lot of money to implement. It's about passing bills, but it's also practicing good energy techniques.
Davis: One thing that is great is to look at things like renewable energy, simple things that can be done to save money in the long run. It's important to provide incentives and
get people to look at those options because we definitely don't have an endless supply.
Health Care
Ballard: Most college students are covered until they are 23 years old under their parents' insurance and can go to Watkins Health Center for health care. For students, their best bet is to stay in school or get a job that would give them benefits because health care is extremely important. But your state just can't cover you unless there's a universal health care plan. Massachusetts was the first state to pass a universal plan and now other states are looking at how it works. I would like to see Kansas develop a universal plan, but I'd have to look at details and the funding.
Davis: One of the important things I would do for students is to make sure their families have health insurance because most policies can keep them. We need to give families access to policies.
46th District
Davis is the incumbent representative of the 46th district. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Kansas. He later received a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Washburn University School of Law. He currently practices law at Meyer and Davis L.L.C., 1101 1/2 Massachusetts St. He has been in office since 2003.
junior majoring in political science, who plans to study civil liberties at the School of Law. He is a member of the KU Libertarians.
Kirby is a University of Kansas
Higher Education
Davis: I think students are faced with financial concerns that are overbearing. To decrease tuition, the state needs to enhance scholarships and loan assistance, but at the same time we need to give the University the support that it needs so we don't have to increase tuition in the future.
Kirby: The state should provide more funding for loans and tuition assistance to get more people in school. I would like to see the job market full of educated people who can contribute to the area. The way to do that is to cut back on programs. The cost of prosecuting, housing and rehabilitating people for possessing and using marijuana is too much. They don't come back rehabilitated and they continue to contribute to societal ills. People are going to do it regardless and the taxpayers are paying for it. Raising taxes is another way. No one wants to do that and no one's going to say it. The state doesn't have the economic leeway because it's not producing anything anymore. I don't know how to do it, short of raising taxes.
Deferred Maintenance
Davis: Deferred maintenance is a serious issue and I'd like to see the legislature come up with a multi-year plan to address the problem. Most of it is at the University and it's
getting to a point where if we don't start to devote some dollars to it, it's just going to cost us more money in the long run.
Kirby: There is $150 million in damage at the University. One of the problems is a lack of funding. I would like to cut back on programs like the criminalization of marijuana so the state government can save money.
Environment
Davis: The most significant environmental issue before the state is the need for a comprehensive energy plan. Right now we are an importer of energy because coal plants primarily drive our electricity. Coal comes from the western part of the country. We need to set up incentives to shift dependency from coal to wind. Not only does it make financial sense, it's good for the environment and it has great economic potential for the state.
Kirby: I would vote against any legislation that would approve the building of the South Lawrence Trafficway. I want to protect the wetlands, wind energy and economically viable crops. I would like to implement programs to conserve energy like producing our own electricity through wind turbines. I would also like to implement developmental programs to find out what farmers can plant when. If a crop does not grow well, we pay to subsidize that. Farmers grow the same crops over and over, which also creates a soil deficiency.
Health Care
Davis: Last year, the legislature did enact some legislation that made health insurance programs more available to students, but we have to be realistic that there are not a lot of students who are going to take advantage of that. Students really fall into a difficult gap in the health care system. Most students are still on their parents' insurance plans and some students' parents don't have insurance. I'd like to make it more accessible and affordable for students' parents. The federal government has really been disengaged in the health insurance debate since Bush took office and I don't see that changing in the near future, so the state needs to become more engaged.
Kansas needs to explore other options as to how we can give opportunities to purchase insurance at an affordable rate, especially those who work for small businesses and self-employed people.
Kirby: There are a lot of options for students. Student Senate provides a plan and students can sign up for insurance with the school. I don't necessarily believe the government should control health care. Socialized medicine is inefficient. It should be left to the hands of private businesses.
Kansan staff writer Erin Castaneda can be contacted at ecastaneda@ kansan.com.
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
Edited by Aly Barland
Lunch'n Learn
Topic: Medical Ethics - Judaism and Organ Donation
Rabbi Debbie Stiel will lead a discussion relating to modern Judaism. Bring your own lunch, dessert will be provided..
October 17,2006
Today 12-1:30pm
Alcove C, 3rd Floor Kansas Union
KU Young Democrats
Students Tutoring for Literacy
CCO
Interested in tutoring kids and adults?
Volunteers are needed for Students Tutoring for Literacy Programs are available with groups or one-on-one throughout the Lawrence Community.
Students Tutoring for Literacy (STL) helps native and non-native English-speaking youth and adults obtain their GED, learn English as a second language, read their first book, or fill out a job application.
Email xt/l@ku.edu if you are interested.
The Center for Community Outreach
KU Habitat for Humanity
Join Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Challenge for an alternative spring break experience!
Want to connect with new people?
Want to make a difference?
Informational Meeting
Tonight, Bpm
4th Floor Lobby,
Kansas Union
"One week to change a life, one week to change your own."
PAID FOR BY KU
Come Volunteer with Us!
Meetings Thurs. 6:30pm 144 JRP upcoming events: Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity, park clean-up, helping at an art festival
funded by:
STUDENT
SENATE
one or more fundraiser sites
JAYWALK!
What is JayWalk?
Have you ever felt unsafe walking alone at night on campus? Wish someone could walk with you? Jaywalk can help!
JayWalk is a service available to all students who want a JayWalk volunteer to WALK them to their residence hall or car, or to wait with them for the Night Campus Express Bus or SafeRide.
The JayWalk station and volunteers are located inside Anschutz Library.
Where is JayWalk?
When is the service available?
JayWalk runs Sunday through Thursday from 8pm to midnight.
Who walks with me?
One male and one female will escort you to a specific location.
WANT TO VOLUNTEER FOR JayWalk?
Call us at: 864-3222
JayWalk is giving away an iPOD Nano!
Every time you use our service or volunteer with JayWalk, you get your name in the drawing, which will be in December!
Volunteers are greatly needed and appreciated! While you are assisting KU students you can also study and do homework Pick up forms in room 410 in the Kansas Union! If you have any questions regarding the service or about volunteering, please email Safety@ku.edu