By The Active Age
Governor Laura Kelly and Attorney General Derek Schmidt responded to The Active Age’s gubernatorial candidate survey’s questions:
Laura Kelly, 72, Topeka | Democrat | Governor since 2019 | Kansas State Senate 2005-2019
1. What do you think are the two or three issues most critical to seniors, and what do you propose to do about them?
Seniors are often on a fixed income meaning they feel rising costs more than others. That’s why I’ve axed the food tax, saving families nearly $500 a year. When the legislature returns, I’ll submit a bill on day one that eliminates the food sales tax completely, immediately. We must also expand Medicaid, which would expand health care access to 150,000 Kansans and would in turn, expand access and increase affordability for Kansas seniors.
2. What in your record suggests that you are the best candidate to serve seniors?
I cut property taxes across the board and axed the food tax to keep more money in our seniors’ pockets. I also provided more tax relief and tax credits to our disabled veterans. I’ve worked across the aisle to propose four plans to expand Medicaid during my first term as Governor. On my first day back in office, I will send to the Legislature my fifth plan to expand Medicaid and ensure that Kansas seniors have access to affordable healthcare. I’ve worked tirelessly to balance the state budget, including paying off KPERS debt.
3. List your overall top three priorities.
a. Medicaid Expansion b. Expand access to high-speed internet (Broadband) c. Legalizing medical cannabis
4. The Kansas Silver Haired Legislature passed resolutions on these issues.
Please indicate with a yes-or-no your stance on:
a. Expand Medicaid: Yes
b. Fully fund KPERS obligations and fund cost-of-living adjustments for retirees: Yes
c. Legalize the expanded medical use of cannabis: Yes
d .Pass the Golden Years Homestead Property Tax Freeze Act or similar legislation: Yes
e. Support wireless broadband access for all senior Kansans, including training for use of the internet: Yes
Derek Schmidt, 54, Independence | Republican | Kansas Attorney General 2011-present | Kansas State Senate 2001-2011 | Senate Majority Leader 2005-2011
1. What do you think are the two or three issues most critical to seniors, and what do you propose to do about them?
Cost of living is critical for seniors, many of whom are living on a fixed income and are getting hit the hardest by the inflation. We have a plan to address that head on with our “retire tax free” proposal that will eliminate state income taxes on Social Security, pensions and private retirement vehicles. Access to health care is also more important the older you get. Seniors need access to specialists like cardiologists and oncologists. We plan to expand eligibility for medical loan repayment to more doctors, and establish a similar incentive for specialists who practice in underserved rural communities.
2. What in your record suggests that you are the best candidate to serve seniors?
As attorney general, I’ve made stopping elder fraud and abuse one of my top priorities. I created a new division within the attorney general’s office focused on investigating and prosecuting cases of fraud and abuse, with a particular focus on those crimes that target seniors. We have worked with the Kansas Legislature and the U.S. Congress to pass laws that expanded our capacity to fight fraud and abuse. I created an Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Prevention Council within the attorney general’s office to bring stakeholders together to coordinate statewide prevention efforts.
3. List your overall top three priorities.
a. Make daily life more affordable for Kansans b. Put parents and students first in education c. Build safer, healthier communities in Kansas
Please indicate with a yes-or-no your stance on:
a. Expand Medicaid: Did not answer yes or no
b. Fully fund KPERS obligations and fund cost-of-living adjustments for retirees: Did not answer yes or no
c. Legalize the expanded medical use of cannabis: Did not answer yes or no
d .Pass the Golden Years Homestead Property Tax Freeze Act or similar legislation: Yes
e. Support wireless broadband access for all senior Kansans, including training for use of the internet: Yes
This article was republished here with the permission of: The Active Age