A Message from Steve

In the middle of the last legislative session, the precinct committee men and women voted for me to fill an unexpired term in the legislature. Now, with the 2026 legislative session completed, I’m asking for your support in the next election to continue representing you in District 85.

I previously served in this seat from 2003-2016 and during that time, was Chair of Commerce and Labor, Chair of Federal and State Affairs, Chair of the Joint Committee on State Building and Construction, and House Majority Whip.  Additionally, I was privileged to be on a variety of substantive committees.

My experience in the Legislature is exactly what District 85 needs at this time.

Issues

            Spending is on an exponential increase

When I left the Legislature in 2016, the All Funds Budget (includes federal money) was $15.5 billion. In 2026, the All Funds Budget was $27.08 billion. Our recently approved budget for 2027 is $26.8 billion … a decrease, but still an incredible amount of spending for a state that has three million people with no appreciable increase in population.

I’m pushing for a DOGE-style, line-by-line audit of our budget. We must prioritize core government functions and stop this exponential spending.

            Property taxes are up, up. up

Property taxes now are all from local units of government.  There seems to be no end to the spending.  The legislature can put spending limits on schools, cities, and counties, but we need to elect individuals to those positions who will prioritize needs, consolidate services, and stop raiding your bank account.

As a real estate broker, I know how burdensome property taxes are.  I will continue to vote for spending controls.  Additionally, local governments must be more efficient with your tax dollars.

            We have an outdated, functionally obsolete government

Kansas has local units of government that are way too top-heavy… 280+ school districts, 105 counties, 1,404 townships, 627 cities, water districts, fire districts, etc., and each has taxing authority.

We must consolidate government entities and services that make sense.

Kansas simply can’t continue with this 1800’s and 1900’s form of government.

It’s about jobs, jobs, jobs

As a small business owner, I know the solution to economic growth doesn’t come from expanding government but from creating a low-tax state with a non-invasive regulatory environment that fosters private-sector growth.

We need more taxpayers, not more and higher taxes.

            Election integrity

Election Day is the end of voting.  Show a photo ID.  Only citizens vote.  Clean up the voter rolls. No more ballot harvesting.

Our constitutional republic depends on open and honest elections.

            Waste, fraud, and abuse

Addressing waste fraud and abuse is easy to say.  But we must be intentional about investigating, eliminating, and prosecuting it. Overlooking it steals services from those that truly need help and robs your pocketbook.

A line-by-line DOGE-style audit is a good place to start.  We can reward whistleblowers and utilize better internal controls.”  We are a compassionate people and want to help those that truly need it.  We also want justice for those who steal from the system.

            Life

I have been on the front lines promoting the dignity of life. Every life has value as human beings, regardless of age or circumstances. Life is a gift, and protecting innocent life is the foundation of a civilized society.

Life is good. We are created in the image of God, and life must be protected from conception until natural death.

PS … I want to visit with you all soon and look forward  to all of your questions.