Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson says he has the right approach and the right experience to be the state’s next governor.
Masterson made a stop at the KVOE studios this week to discuss his campaign — and how to navigate through a crowded Republican field to get the nomination, saying “this is not the time for on-the-job training.”
Masterson says lawmakers made some progress on property taxes, but there is more work ahead. He says it’s needed because he sees a property tax crisis ahead, and he says Kansas needs to trim spending to help give residents some relief.
Next year’s legislative session will likely see a lot of discussion on education policy, and Masterson says he does not expect major changes in funding amounts, but it is time to revisit the topic.
Masterson also says the overall budget got out of sorts after COVID-19 aid triggered too much spending. Now there’s deficit spending, in part because spending and in part because of the loss of COVID funds at a time when the state has cut tax revenues. Masterson says the best approach is slowing down the speed of spending growth.
Economic development is always a big topic across Kansas, but it’s a significant discussion point in and around Emporia after the loss of around 1,200 jobs and several businesses since late 2004. Masterson says his approach on economic development aligns with that of President Trump.
Masterson has been front-and-center among Republicans on social matters, and he says that’s part of his overall experience — including being the father of six children, four of them being daughters.
Masterson has a stout field to work through on the Republican side, including former governor and lieutenant governor Jeff Colyer, current Secretary of State Scott Schwab, current Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, talk show host Doug Billings, data analyst Joy Eakins and entrepreneur Stacy Rogers. For Democrats, Johnson County lawmakers Ethan Corson and Cindy Holscher are the announced candidates.
The candidate filing and withdrawal deadline is at noon June 1.
