These days, three factions make up the Kansas Republican Party: Conservatives, far right conservatives, and those who are so conservative “they’re borderline libertarians.”
At least, that’s the opinion of Rep. Kent Thompson, who represents the 9th District in Topeka.
Thompson considers himself a “common-sense conservative,” which, he said, “these days is considered a moderate, because I’m not far right crazy enough to be considered a conservative,” the politics have become so extreme.
And yes, it makes for ugly politics. I’m a common-sense conservative, which these days is considered a moderate, because I’m not far right crazy enough to be considered a conservative.Rep. Kent Thompson
“It’s always ugly,” Thompson said of the recently completed 90-day legislative session.
BUT FIRST, the good news.
“Education is fully funded,” Thompson said with an audible sigh. Thompson voted to increase aid to the state’s 286 school districts by 5.3%, to $5.2 billion. The decision satisfies a three-year commitment to increase funding to the state’s public schools so that they are adequately and equitably funded, as deemed by the Kansas Supreme Court.
“I’m very happy with that,” he said. “Of course, there’s a lot of bad policy attached to it, like always.”
Thompson is referring to a move to further erode public education by creating a state income tax credit for donations that enable private school scholarships to students in the 100 lowest-performing public elementary schools.
“But it could have been worse.”
Thompson also is proud of the legislature coming to the rescue of municipalities affected by the February arctic chill by creating a $100 million low-interest loan program.
“That felt good.”
Thompson voted to legalize medical marijuana; approved $284 million in tax cuts over the next three years; lowered concealed carry of firearms from 21 to 18 and voted to restrict how absentee ballots are distributed and collected.
The required training for concealed carry “was the only reason I voted for it,” he said.
