Legislators have question-answer session in Marion
By BILL MEYER
Publisher Emeritus
Though the crowd was sparse, only 15 attended, those there were intently interested in what state Senator Jim Barnett, M.D., and Rep. Don Dahl said Saturday.
They met in the banquet room of McGillicuddy's Restaurant, sponsored by Marion Chamber of Commerce with coffee and rolls provided by SBC, the telephone company.
Sen. Barnett, an internal medicine physician at Emporia, gave an overview of what had been happening in Topeka.
Rep. Dahl, a retired Navy pilot living at Hillsboro, provided similar information from the House. Both men are Republicans.
Barnett has introduced legislation to allow a $500 tax deduction for nursing home insurance premiums.
He also is concerned about health costs of smoking. It is the leading cause of death and disability, he said.
Though the senator said he supports schools and an increase in state funding for schools, there is limited funding available now.
Dahl also said he is opposed to raising taxes. "We must be business friendly," he said. "When a business leaves the state it won't come back." Dahl pointed out that keeping businesses would help keep tax revenue, while raising taxes "will run business away."
Barnett said he does not advocate increased gambling in Kansas and voted against it.
On the subject of marriage among those of the same sex, Barnett said he advocates marriage between "a man and a woman." But, he said, local voters should decide the issue.
He informed that Marion has 30 percent "at risk" school students. He said special education needs more funding. He does not agree with the district judge's decision on school funding. Barnett thinks schools should have local funding and local control.
Dahl explained dram shop liability, advocated a moratorium on windmill electric power, raising the state minimum wage, predatory pricing on gasoline, and filters on computers at libraries (which is opposed by librarians on the basis of the First Amendment).
The destination-based sales tax drew a great deal of comment from the audience. Dave Crofoot said his firm, Western Associates, has already spent more than $10,000 attempting to be in compliance. Bill Meyer of Hoch Publishing Co. Inc. said his newspapers cannot comply and will not comply. "I guess I'll join my publisher friends in prison."
Barnett said government grows because nearly everybody has a special interest that he wants funded.
As to highways, he said lost revenue would call for cuts in projects or employee benefits.
The senator said that if all budgets were fully funded this year, "We would have a $600 million dollar shortfall."
Even with the limited audience, nearly everyone present participated by asking questions or commenting on information given by the legislators.
