Kansas House 60th District Republican incumbent Mark Schreiber and Democratic challenger Todd Maddox had diverging views on several questions — and similar views on others — during KVOE’s Candidate Forum on Thursday.
Both agreed the state’s coronavirus is the big issue facing the state now, and both expressed support for Medicaid expansion, regardless of its relation to COVID-19. Schreiber says everybody needs to do their part to eventually end COVID-19.
Maddox says health care is something that can’t be ignored as the pandemic continues.
Both say prior squabbles between Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas Republicans were largely resolved by a compromise arrangement forged in June. Both also say this is not the time to consider any uniform mask mandates or business restrictions as part of a statewide approach.
Maddox says his background in education and communication will serve him well if elected. He said he and Schreiber differ on budgets, taxes and spending policies.
Schreiber says his two terms in the Legislature and his community connections make him the best candidate.
Both also disagreed to some extent on how the state should approach a reversal of tax revenue after several straight months of better-than-expected numbers. Maddox says an across-the-board cut may be needed if the federal government doesn’t step in with COVID-19 relief help, while Schreiber says the initial approach may be more on a department or agency level.
This was the final KVOE Candidate Forum before the Nov. 3 general election. Click here for the KVOE.com #Vote2020 page for information on candidates, election deadlines, voting processes, polling places and more.
