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Politics
2012-11-01 15:02:41
Q&A with Patrick Cantwell
Q: What position are your running for and what endorsements have you received?
A: I am now running for the Kansas Senate, District 30 position. I have received endorsements from the Sierra Club, Citizens for Higher Education, KNEA-Kansas PAC, Wichita-Hutchinson Labor Federation, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
Q: Why did you decide to run for political office?
A: I decided to run for the Kansas Senate when I realized that many current legislators do not seem to care much about their constituents,
the voters. Accumulating campaign contributions and protecting their own financial empires, regardless of risk to the security of the voters, seems to be the way to go for some representatives and senators.
We have a responsibility, a moral imperative, to work for the benefit of all Kansans, to strive to make life better for families struggling to make ends meet.
Q: What is your position on two of the hottest topics this political cycle, jobs and taxes?
A: What I always tell people is that we can work together, that we can truly work together with our old friend Joe. You know Joe: J-O-E----Jobs, Opportunity, and Education. As a former teacher and coach, I know what it takes to provide a top quality education for Kansas students. Kansas public schools have endured several rounds of funding cuts, forcing districts to increase class sizes, lay off teachers, increase student fees, and cut services. Choking the life out of education does not help students prepare for life's challenges. Kansas legislators must uphold a constitutional mandate to adequately fund public education. We must restore school funding to adequate levels.
When folks earn diplomas, certifications, apprenticeships, technical grades, and job ratings, they can earn a good wage, a good salary, and maybe start small businesses. They provide for their families. They pay a fair equitable tax on income.
The corporate tax breaks pushed through the Kansas legislature is unfair and will hurt working class people, the middle class, and especially the working poor. Many Kansans will lose tax credits and deductions. It's a real concern that the poor will see a tax hike, while the wealthy could receive big tax breaks.
Governor Brownback and his public relations surrogates try to persuade Kansans that this demented tax plan passed by unthinking legislators will solve our economic problems and spur job growth. Well, Brownback's experiment might succeed or be an abject failure. What is apparent to taxpayers is that the future is placed on the backs of students, seniors, and workers- people who struggle to provide decent lives for their families.
States without income taxes have higher property taxes and sales taxes.
Our first priority in tax planning should be to lower local property taxes for the middle class, working class families, and seniors on fixed incomes. If we do not control tax breaks for the very wealthy, property taxes will rise; temporary sales tax programs will become permanent; education funding and implementation will suffer.
"Walk with me.
Join the parade.
Let's get to work."
