State candidates speak on issues during forum

Candidates for state offices weighed in on issues such as school funding, health care and infrastructure improvements during a candidate forum Monday night in the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College.

Candidates for the Kansas House of Representatives Dist. 2 and Dist. 4 seats who attended the forum were incumbent Dist. 2 Rep. Adam Lusker, a Democrat from Frontenac, and his opponent, Kenneth Collins, a Republican from Mulberry. District 4 Rep. Trevor Jacobs, the incumbent Republican from Fort Scott, and his challenger, Democrat Lawrence Forbach of Mound City, were also present.

Lusker said he is a “lifelong Southeast Kansas citizen” and has owned a small business for 25 years. Collins said he is a “conservative person” with past experience serving on city councils. Forbach, who grew up in Bonner Springs, said he “promotes union laborers.”

Jacobs said he ran for the seat two years ago “to stand up for what I believe in.

“And I’m running to stand up again,” he said.

The candidates were asked their thoughts on the status of the state budget.

“I think there are a lot of shortfalls,” Forbach said. “We have a loss of nursing homes. We need to look after seniors and health care.”

Collins said he is not in favor of state leaders shifting funds to try to balance the state budget.

“We need to stop stealing from transportation and retirement,” he said. “And stop robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

Lusker said state revenues “are up” due to changes in the state tax policy put in place in 2017.

“We’re on the road to recovery,” he said. “We can start investing again in schools and transportation.”

Candidates were asked their thoughts on the continues expansion of U.S. Highway 69 south of Fort Scott. The first phase of the expansion project, at a cost of about $25 million, will create six miles of a four-lane upgradeable expressway on U.S. 69 from the Bourbon and Crawford County line north six miles. The project began in 2017.

Each of the candidates spoke in favor of continuing expansion of the highway.

“I don’t think there’s anyone in this room who’s against it,” Lusker said. “With a sustainable tax policy, I think the next 11 miles will be built in my lifetime, I hope.”

Collins said it is “great to expand” the highway and would “like it to continue on.

“We need a budget to allow for that,” he said. “I’m a strong advocate for Highway 69.”

Forbach said he is in favor of the highway expansion, which would “help with jobs and the economy,” as well as the safety of drivers by creating a four-lane highway.

Jacobs said he would be in favor of “responsibly funding” the expansion, provided the revenue is available.

The legislative candidates were also asked what their priorities are for improving the economy in Southeast Kansas.

“I think we need a lot less regulations, and a lot more tax write-offs,” Jacobs said.

Forbach said he would support a move toward “free lunches to all students.”

Collins said taxes are the main priority, and the goal should be keeping tax rates “at a competitive level with neighboring states.”

“Vehicle property taxes are the third highest in the nation, according to my research,” he said.

Lusker said priorities are education, getting businesses to locate in the region, infrastructure improvements, and expansion of Medicaid.

“We need to do what’s best for Kansas, come together and put people above politics,” he said.

Collins said he is a “small town guy with a small town life.

“And I would work to preserve that for generations to come,” he said.

Forbach and Jacobs expressed gratitude to each other for running respectful campaigns.

“I will stand firm,” Jacobs said. “It’s ‘We the People,’ and not the government.’”

Candidates for the Dist. 13 Senate seat included incumbent Richard Hilderbrand, Republican from Galena, and Bryan Hoffman, Democrat from Mulberry. The Libertarian candidate, Sam Habjan of Frontenac, was not present for the forum.

Hoffman said he is a lifelong Southeast Kansas resident who works on construction of roads and bridges and runs a family farm.

“I’m not a politician, but I know what Southeast Kansas values are,” he said.

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