By Carter Moelk
Senator Garrett Love -courtesy photo
KU Statehouse Wire Service
TOPEKA – Legislators from western Kansas believe they bring a unique perspective to Capitol politics.
The difference between rural western Kansas and urban eastern Kansas leads western citizens to push for particular issues, and legislators strive to get their constituents’ voices heard.
“Many of my constituents’ main concern is simply not wanting to be attacked by Topeka,” said Sen. Garrett Love, R-Montezuma, who serves as Senate majority whip.
With the Capitol set so far east, it can sometimes be hard for lawmakers to see firsthand what the people of western Kansas need. For example, agriculture is a strong part of western Kansas’s economy, and constituents urge legislators to protect their farmers.
“We are opposed to proposals to drastically increase property taxes on agricultural land, which would be devastating to our farmers and rangers across the state. . . . Many people forget that agriculture is still our state’s top industry,” Love said.
Additionally, legislation that affects education and medicine can have more drastic impacts on those in the west. With smaller populations and larger distances between towns, every resource is vital, lawmakers said.
“We have to worry about losing our hospitals and even our only doctor … and when legislation affects schools, many rural legislators will have four or five school districts that are all affected differently,” said Rep. Shannon Francis, R-Liberal.
However, there is some common ground between rural and urban areas.
“The needs of the citizens of western Kansas can be the same as those from the rest of the state,” Francis said. “We want good schools, good roads and strong communities to raise our families in.”
Because they understand the similarities and differences between rural and urban Kansas, western legislators say this dichotomy helps them realistically understand the state’s larger needs
“Because of the diversity we represent, I believe we tend to be more pragmatic than ideological,” Francis said. “I believe it’s easier for a rural legislator to understand the diversity of Kansas.”
While the ability to be in both rural and urban areas of Kansas is beneficial, the traveling does have its downsides.
Staying connected with constituents while in Topeka is important, but making a trip across the state can be hard.
“It can be a grind during session when we make the five hour drive home Friday evenings, hold town halls all day Saturday, driving several hours across the district to go to church on Sunday morning, and then making the five-hour drive back to Topeka on Sunday afternoon,” Sen. Love said.
Try as they might, other aspects of life tend to be neglected when legislators are making the back-and-forth trips.
“It can be really hard to be 350 miles from home. . . . I miss many of my son’s events at school. Financially, it is a real problem, and work suffers,” said Francis, who is a developer. “I am lucky to have a great support group between my wife, family, and co-workers.”
Edited by Maddy Mikinski