Chat with Connie O'Brien, Republican candidate for Kansas House,
October 29, 2008
Connie O'Brien, Republican candidate in the Kansas House, District 42 race, will chat at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29.
This chat has already taken place. Read the transcript below.
Moderator
Hello. I'm Shawn Linenberger, news editor at The Mirror newspaper and I'll be your moderator today. We welcome Connie O'Brien, Republican candidate for the Kansas House, District 42 seat.
Connie will be with us shortly.
Connie O'Brien
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to visit with the voters. I look forward to their questions.
Moderator
We do not have any submitted questions as of yet. We remind our readers that they are welcome to submit questions for Connie.
While we are waiting to hear from our readers, let's start with a question from our staff.
Connie, you've been out campaigning the last few months and talking with voters at forums and other functions. Can you tell us what main concerns you are hearing and how you plan to address those concerns?
Connie O'Brien
One of the main questions I am hearing deals with the illegal immigration problem. Our neighboring states have passed strong illegal immigrations laws, we need to do the same or risk becoming a sanctuary state. We need to stop giving benefits to illegal immigrants and they will leave. We need to stop giving in state tuition and drivers license. We need to stress to companies that e-verify is a good system. This will go along way to stop the flow of illegal immigration.
Moderator
Thank you, Connie.
Another issue that has been discussed recently is the gas tax error that has allocated too much money to some counties, and shorted others, such as Leavenworth County at $192,000.
What are your thoughts on this issue and how would you address it if elected?
Connie O'Brien
I have not heard about this. I would be willing to find out why this happen. This question has not come up before. I know the state as a whole is experiencing a shortfall in revenues, but can not answer this specific question.
Moderator
Thank you, Connie.
As we wait for questions from our readers, a reminder about an event coming up at 7 p.m. Thursday at VFW Hall in Tonganoxie. It will be the final candidate forum, in which local candidates will be on hand. Connie will be at that final candidate forum.
Moderator
A reminder to our readers that you still have time to submit a question for Connie O'Brien.
In the meantime, Connie, can you talk to us about the economy and how you plan to address that issue if elected? Obviously it is has been a difficult time with gas prices and the bailout on Wall Street.
How do you think this all affects Kansas?
Connie O'Brien
The state budget is going to see a shortfall over next two years. The governor has asked all departments to cut there budget by 2%. We cannot afford to keep spending money we don't have, the legislature will need to look at each department and see which programs are successful and which programs are not working. Also, we need to make Kansas a business friendly state. Jobs will go along way to raising the revenues the state needs. These jobs need to come from the private sector. Job creation, not taxation is my motto. We had a chance to create jobs with the Holcomb power plant. By denying the power plant a chance to build we have sent a message to the business community don't come to Kansas you probably won't meet the standards set by the governor. Kansas needs to become a business friendly state.
Moderator
Thank you, Connie.
That is all the time we have for today's chat. Remember that you may view this chat and others anytime at www.tonganoxiemirror.com/chats.
And be sure to check out our next online chat, 11 a.m. Friday when Todd Thompson, Republican candidate for Leavenworth County Attorney, joins us.
Connie O'Brien
I would ask all citizens to remember to vote. The right to vote is a great privilege. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to visit with the voters of my district. See you at the polls.
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