Dear Friends and Constituents,

First, let me thank you for electing me to serve as your senator in the Kansas Senate for the 8th District. It is truly an honor to have the privelage of representing you in this capacity.  I promise to continue to serve you in the same manner in which I have always served my neighbors in Overland Park while in the House of Representatives and as a city council member over the last 28 years collectively.  That service to our city and community have prepared me well for the challenges which lay ahead for us all in the coming legeslative sessions.  I look forward to your input and your interest in what we do in the Kansas legislature and since I commute every night during the session I am readily available both in Topeka and at home for contact and communication

The session ahead promises to be a challenging one with a severe budget shortfall that is predicted to be approaching 1 billion dollars by the year 2010.  That will require thinking outside the box in order to address the needs of the state while still recognizing that not every program can be retained if we are to maintain our taxes at the current level.  As I have said often, we either "expand the bowl or shrink the fish".

It is my hope that we can find a way to fund the critical programs that lend themselves to economic growth and prosperity for our state, without the need to increase taxes.  But, draconian cuts to essential programs for the frail elderly, the children and the most needy of our citizens or to the transportation programs, educational and environmental programs that we have grown to expect at a level of excellence, cannot be tolerated.  So therein lies the challenge.  We cannot pass along unfunded mandates to our cities, counties and towns, for programs that we are unwilling or unable to fund.  We have to be creative in finding an acceptable middle ground.  I am prepared to meet that challenge with hard work and due diligence. Thank you again for allowing me the privilege of serving you in the Kansas Senate.  Let me hear from you whether in person, on the phone or via email.

I AM YOUR SENATOR AND I WILL RESPOND.