Candidates quizzed on Medicare, marijuana

Friday, July 25, 2014
Jason E. Silvers/Tribune photo Luke Cosens of Fort Scott, who is running for a Kansas House of Representative seat, fields a question during Tuesday's Candidate Forum. His opponent, incumbent Marty Read, also participated in the event.

Questions on topics ranging from possible Medicaid expansion to legalization of marijuana in Kansas were posed to candidates running for a seat in the Kansas House of Representatives during a candidate forum Tuesday evening at Fort Scott Community College.

Present for the discussion, which took place at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the FSCC campus, were Lucas Cosens, a local chiropractor and Fort Scott City Commissioner who is challenging incumbent Marty Read, a local auctioneer and business owner who is the current representative for the 4th District in the Kansas House of Representatives.

Also present to answer questions was Adam Lusker, a business owner from Frontenac who is the current representative for the 2nd District in the Kansas House and is running unopposed.

Candidates were asked if Medicaid expansion to help with struggling rural hospitals across the state, like Mercy Hospital Fort Scott, is on the agenda for the next legislative session.

Lusker said he was not sure if any of the candidates could answer that question, then later said, "I'm sure there will be movement to expand Medicaid."

Read, a Republican, said he was "not sure" if the matter would be addressed in the next session but said he supports "protecting Kansas sovereignty from federal government."

"Obamacare has not helped hospitals or health care," Read said.

Cosens, a Democrat, said expansion of Medicaid "is an issue for our state" and would be beneficial to "help people who fall between the cracks." He also said he was not sure if the matter would be addressed in the next legislative session.

Candidates were also asked whether they support legalization of marijuana in Kansas after the states of Colorado and Washington recently legalized the recreational use of cannabis.

Cosens spoke on the benefits of medicinal marijuana and said people "should have options.

"As a doctor, even though I don't prescribe medications, I know of the medical benefits," he said, adding he feels it's an issue "for citizens to decide" and as a voter, he would be "cautious to vote 'yes'" to legalize marijuana.

Lusker, also a Democrat, said the state should take a "wait-and-see approach" regarding the recreational use of marijuana in Kansas. He said he also sees the medicinal benefits of cannabis.

"I think we need to step back and observe and see how it works out," he said. "It would be tough to vote 'yes.'"

When the question was asked of Read, he simply said, "No," to some applause from attendees of the forum.

"I think it's just about the money for them (Colorado and Washington)," Read said. "I think it will come back and bite them in the butt."

Candidates were also given the opportunity to make brief opening and losing statements.

"I want to work for you; let me emphasize, 'you,'" Cosens said.

Read said he is a pro-life conservative who believes in smaller government.

"We've got to reduce spending," he said. "The state and federal government are having problems with that.

"I appreciate the honor to serve," he added.

Lusker, who is from Frontenac and owns a masonry company, also said he is "honored to serve you all." Lusker said he serves on transportation and agriculture committees in the Kansas House of Representatives.

"I try to make good informed decisions for my constituents and will continue to do so," he said.

Cosens said he feels Kansas is in a "bad position" economically and is "not seeing the job growth promised by the Brownback administration.

"We're becoming more of an example of what not to do," he said.

Cosens said entities are paying higher bond rates and the "state took more funding from higher education." Cosens said he supports protecting seniors "from irresponsible government.

"I'm asking for your vote for change," he said.

The candidate forum was hosted by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. The event included comments from FSACC Executive Director Lindsay Madison about advanced voting. Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason said advance voting began July 22 and reminds registered voters to bring a photo ID with them when they vote.

Election Day is Tuesday, Aug. 5 and polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day.