Reduction in spending is a must for Kansas 76th District Representative Brad Barrett as he prepares for his second legislative session coming up next week.
During the final legislative preview on KVOE’s Morning Show Wednesday, Barrett stated that when it comes to spending, reductions are a necessity, adding that spending “skyrocketed” following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Barrett, like other lawmakers, has heard mentions that $200 million will be the target number for reductions. He says there have been some rumblings as to areas where the legislature may look to start working towards that goal.
Leading up to the session, Barrett says his email has been constantly full with correspondence from constituents, and like other local lawmakers, the most common concern expressed in said correspondence has been property taxes and the “tax burden” in general. Another topic that KVOE News broached with Barrett was Senate Bill 302, a bipartisan piece of legislation that would implement a “bell-to-bell ban” on student cell phone and personal electronic device usage in schools during school hours.
Barrett says he is in favor of the legislation as is the majority of lawmakers at least based on what he has heard thus far.
Barrett believes the implementation of a ban could lead to improved academic results across the state as well as increased social interaction among teens.
With House elections coming in November, Barrett announced at the end of his interview with KVOE News Wednesday that he is intending to seek another term in office this election cycle. Barrett replaced longtime 76th District Representative Eric Smith, who served eight years in the legislature before retiring at the end of the 2024 session.
You can hear Barrett’s interview, as well as our previous interviews with 17th District Senator Mike Argabright and 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber, online in the KVOE.com Audio Vault.
The 2026 legislative session begins Monday.
