State of Kansas Archives: on Environment
Roger Marshall:
Overturn EPA rules surrounding Waters of the US
Agriculture is the lifeblood of Kansas, and we Kansans know our land better than federal bureaucrats. In Congress, Dr. Marshall played a key role in the 2018 Farm Bill; advocating for fully funded crop insurance, overturning the egregious
EPA rules surrounding Waters of The US (WOTUS), and securing crucial infrastructure and internet access funding for rural Kansas.
Source: 2020 Kansas Senate campaign website KansansForMarshall.com
Jun 17, 2020
Laura Kelly:
Opposes cuts to EPA's funding; environment needs protection
[WFK]: Do you approve of President Trump deep cuts in funding for the EPA, and Scott Pruitt's efforts to reduce or eliminate environmental regulations? [Kelly]: I do not approve of cuts to the EPA. It is important that we have regulations in place
to protect the environment and resources like water. It is also important to have an open dialogue between the EPA and states to ensure regulations are crafted with input from farmers, ranchers and local environmental groups.
Source: WomenForKansas.org interview: 2018 Kansas governor race
Jul 12, 2018
Sam Brownback:
I dream of a Kansas known as the Renewable State
I dream of a Kansas known as the Renewable State. Dream with me of an Ogallala Aquifer that never runs dry because the use is sustainable.
Of our reservoirs dredged, renewed and supplying the water we need in times of severe drought. Of us having a legal, binding allotment of water from the Missouri River and of an Arkansas River with water in its whole course.
Source: 2018 Kansas State of the State address
Jan 9, 2018
Ron Estes:
Fight the intrusive arm of the EPA
Growing up on my family's farm that has been in operation for over 100 years, I've seen firsthand the effects of onerous government regulations on farmers.
I will fight the intrusive arm of the EPA and other agencies. I will support free and fair trade so that Kansas farmers can continue to feed the world. I will work to put an end to burdensome tax policies that harm our family farms.
Source: 2017 Kansas House campaign website EstesForCongress.com
Apr 11, 2017
Carl Brewer:
Community partnerships to clean up polluted Superfund sites
Former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer picked a symbolic location to launch his bid for governor --the Hotel at Old Town--setting the tone for a community activist campaign contrasting with the small-government philosophy that has dominated
Kansas politics during Gov. Sam Brownback's six years in office. "The building that we're standing in today is a great example of community partnerships,"
Brewer said. "This hotel used to be a polluted Superfund site with a very grim future. But with collaboration from local, state and federal agencies, we resulted in a thriving entertainment district that has revitalized our downtown."
Brewer said the state is now facing the same kind of challenges Wichita faced in building up Old Town. "The state's financial future--the forecast is very dark and cloudy," Brewer said.
Source: The Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Feb 20, 2017
Roger Marshall:
Puddles are not wetlands; ditches are not navigable streams
Agriculture is the life blood of Kansas and we Kansans know our land better than federal bureaucrats. Puddles are puddles--they are not wetlands. Ditches are ditches--they are not navigable streams. Lesser Prairie Chickens are great birds, but the
economic consequences of federally listing them as "threatened" are totally unjustified. Dr. Roger Marshall will be a strong advocate for states' rights. Stopping federal overreach--most notably through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)--is
among the top concerns. Dr. Marshall wants to be a part of shrinking both the size and the reach of the federal government while protecting crop insurance and our farming economy."As a Kansas Wildlife Commissioner, I have seen first hand
how ridiculous federal laws and regulations negatively affects farmers and our rural communities. Congress needs to protect farmers, fishermen, hunters and those generating energy from an unruly EPA."-- Roger Marshall
Source: 2016 Kansas House campaign website KansansForMarshall.com
Nov 8, 2016
Patrick Wiesner:
Why do we waste effort on lesser prairie chicken regulation?
The current problems with federal agencies are caused by the current Senators and House members not doing their jobs. The standard incumbent talking points this election cycle are that they are champion of veterans and they saved Kansas from
lesser prairie chicken regulations. Both themes underscore the absence of Congressional oversight and failure to legislate.The prairie chicken case exposes a failure to legislate. The Fish and Wildlife Service is an agency created by
Congress and gets all of its regulatory authority from Congress. If the lesser prairie chicken was improperly protected under the Endangered Species Act, then Congress has the power to make that agency back off.
A simple law blocking use of funds to regulate the lesser prairie chicken is all you needed. They didn't get that through Congress. Instead, our delegation looked to the courts for an activist judge to make the law.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate campaign website WiesnerForSenate.com
Aug 31, 2016
Sam Brownback:
Stewardship for water resources to lengthen useful life
With most natural resources, we aren't just taking them to use for today. We are borrowing them from the future. We are going to continue implementing action items in the Long Term Vision for Kansas Water. The first Local
Enhanced Management Area has been in operation for three years and has reduced water use by roughly 20 percent, and maintained their net income. That should extend the useful life of the Ogallala in that area by 25 years.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Kansas legislature
Jan 12, 2016
Randall Batson:
Indifferent to whether there's a 'right' against pollution
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "No 'rights' to clean air and water"?
A: Indifferent.
Source: Email interview on Kansas 2014 Senate race with OnTheIssues
Sep 19, 2014
Greg Orman:
Rein in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Political newcomer Greg Orman made his debate debut against three-term incumbent Sen. Pat Roberts in a race that's drawing national attention. Orman agreed with Sen. Roberts on several policies, including reining in the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, worked to stake out the center, talking about his support for background checks at gun shows, while criticizing social-services programs as making it easier than ever to do nothing. He repeatedly said he tried both parties and didn't like either.
Source: Wall Street Journal on 2014 Kansas Senate debate
Sep 6, 2014
Chad Taylor:
Good farmers use best practices, as stewards of the land
Q: What is your environmental policy, outside of the realm of energy policy?A: We think the environment deserves an advocate, and if that advocate is not the government, then who would be its advocate? The Clean Water Act and
Clean Air Act and other environmental legislation have provided a clear definition of "best practices." Chad's a farmer, and farms the same was his family did, applying those best practices.
During the Dust Bowl, the then-current practices were bad conservation, which led to erosion and caused the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. The CCC, the Civilian Conservation Corps, changed those practices:
they planted hedgerows; introduced natural irrigation. Chad has been doing that for 20 years, and considers farmers to be stewards of the land, with an environmental ethic.
Source: Phone interview: 2014 Kansas Senate race OnTheIssues
Sep 3, 2014
Greg Orman:
We can protect our environment AND create jobs
In Washington today one side says we must protect our environment no matter what impact it will have on our economy. The other side says doing anything at all will cost us jobs and is therefore unacceptable.
Both sides have dug in and don't believe there's any basis for cooperation. The truth is this is a false choice, and I know it because as a businessman I did both.
The first company I ever started, Environmental Lighting Concepts, designed and installed energy efficient lighting systems for commercial and industrial buildings.
Our company created jobs, helped the environment, protected natural resources, and made money for our customers. We used the opportunity to cut energy and ultimately help the environment as a good business decision.
Source: 2014 Kansas Senate campaign website, OrmanForSenate.com
Jun 17, 2014
Pat Roberts:
For early farm bill, but final bill had too many subsidies
On policy, [Tea Party primary challenger Milton] Wolf is already having an impact. The latest reminder came this week, when Roberts opposed the five-year, nearly $1 trillion farm bill, which was prized by leaders of the
Kansas farm lobby but opposed by Tea Party activists. Roberts, who had written an earlier version of the measure, said the final legislation included too many subsidies.
Source: N.Y. Times on 2014 Kansas Senate race
Feb 7, 2014
Kris Kobach:
Relax rules on logging & recreational usage
Kobach supports the following principles regarding the environment- Require states to compensate citizens when environmental regulations limit uses of privately-owned land.
- Relax logging restrictions on federal lands.
-
Relax standards on federal lands to allow increased recreational usage.
Source: 2004 Kansas Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2004
Howard Phillips:
Property rights are ours, not government’s
Our children learn that private property rights must be respected, even by civil government, and that theft violates God’s commandments, even when it is accomplished by majority vote.
Source: Speech to the Kansas Education Watch Network Conference
Aug 7, 1993
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021