10 THE UNIVERSITY DAIRY KANSAN WWW.KANSAN.COM NEWS WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2008
CANDIDATES (CONTINUED FROM 9)
HOUSE, 44TH DISTRICT Barbara Ballard, Democrat
Ballard said the state needs to develop a comprehensive plan with
Ballard
solar, wind, nuclear and water.
"I don't know that everyone is taking recycling seriously," Ballard said. "We should emphasize energy use in our schools. It would
be advantageous for us to teach first through third graders to conserve energy."
Ballard said her views on a commuter rail system have changed with the recent rise in gas prices.
"I thought people will always rather use cars that rail, but now with gas prices so high, I've seen people using bikes instead," Ballard
said. "If gas prices stay high, which it looks like they will, more people would be looking at rail as an option. I would consider that for commuters between Lawrence and Topeka. But the question is how do you fund that, it might need to come from federal funding."
HOUSE, 45TH DISTRICT Incumbent, Tom Sloan, Repu11
Sloan said he has supported renewable energy production and
Sloan
that he initiated most legal incentives to develop wind energy. "It is necessary to have a balanced energy generation mix to ensure service reliability, manage costs to consumers, protect the environment and facilitate the growth of our economy.
"I am the only state legislator in the U.S. serving on the U.S. Dept. of Energy's Electricity Advisory Committee that is to make policy recommendations to the next Administration," Sloan said. "I am a member of the Kansas Energy Council and have organized five Kansas Electric Transmission Summits involving federal and state policy-makers, Kansas and regional utility executives, state regulators, and wind energy developers to promote the construction of high voltage transmission lines to move wind power from western Kansas to markets in eastern Kansas and other states."
Sloan said he also had concerns about water.
"Reservoirs like Clinton Lake
were constructed with 100-year productive life expectancies; they are now approximately 50 years old. I believe that we need to change our management and funding priorities so that the drinking water supplies, flood control, drought protection and recreational opportunities are sustained well beyond the next 50 years," Sloan said.
John Wilson, Democrat
Wilson said one difference between him and Sloan is that he
would not have supported the Holcomb coal power plant.
"I believe Kansas is a strategic place for renewable energies like wind and solar. I think we
Wilson
should be bold and look for a comprehensive plan. This is the 21st century. Why not think big? We're going to lose out if we don't," Wilson said.
Wilson said the University could play a big role in making Kansas greener, since building are some of the biggest polluters.
"You could install occupancy censors that change the lights and temperatures depending on if someone is in the room," Wilson said. "Everyone needs to do their part, with the macro-level of the government and on the individual level."
HOUSE, 46TH DISTRICT Representative Paul Davis Democrat, did not respond. Davies is registered.
Davis is running unopposed
POLITICS
— Edited by Rustin Dodd
Obama refuses public financing, hears criticism
BY RAMSEY COX rcox@kansan.com
Barack Obama announced he would not accept public financing on June 19, which was a switch from his earlier position. At the beginning of the primary season he said he would take public financing if his general election opponent did. U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the Republican presidential nominee said he would take public financing for his cam-
"It's been clear for months that Obama would opt out of public financing," said Burdett Loomis, professor of political science. "And given his fundraising prowess, why wouldn't he?"
Public financing derives from a $3 voluntary check-off box on personal income tax returns. The check-off does not increase the tax payment by $3; it just directs the $3 to the presidential fund. Obama is the first major-party candidate to turn down the government funds for a general
election since the program started in 1976.
Obama would have received $84 million after the Democratic National Convention at the end of August, which would have given him more than $30 million to spend per month before Election Day.
But Obama's decision could open him to criticism from Democrats.
David Greenwald, Overland Park senior and McCain supporter, said he thought McCain should attack Obama on this issue.
"It seems disingenuous when you're someone who talks about change and hope, but then you pull this flip-flop," Greenwald said.
Obama's decision doesn't seem to have affected his support from students.
Tanner Willbanks, Lawrence junior and president of KU Amnesty International, gave money to the Obama campaign during the primaries and plans to give money again during the general election if Willbanks has the money.
Obama said he decided not to take public financing because the system fails to account for spending by independent groups on things like attack ads.
"The campaign finance rules are undergoing changes both in the courts and in practice, which is always the case," Loomis said. "In the end, money is like water — it will flow where it can."
— Edited by Mandy Earles
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