Lynn D. Grant, the longtime city councilor and widow of 10-term Kansas legislator Bob Grant, is running for her late husband’s seat representing Kansas State House District 2.
Kansas State House of Representatives District 2 includes most of Crawford County, the eastern 1/3 of Allen and Neosho Counties, and a small portion of SW Bourbon County.
“I have been involved in the community that is SEK for over 50 years,” said Grant, who was born in Overland Park, but moved southeast to attend Pittsburg State University and never left. “This is my home. Now I hope to honor Bob’s legacy by representing the constituents of the second district in Topeka.”
Here are the key issues, Grant said:
Transportation Good highways, bridges and railways are essential to not only the safety of Kansans, but to the positive economic development needed in Southeast Kansas. Locally, US 69 must always be a top priority and Highway 7 north of Girard needs critical attention.
Jobs/economy In order to attract businesses that will create full time, good paying jobs, I will support efforts to establish responsible tax policies and to protect education and infrastructure.
Public Education I am passionate about the Legislature supporting public education. That begins with fair funding of early childhood through post-secondary education, be it technical, trade or higher education, so all students have endless possibilities for their future. Good education is the cornerstone for a good society. It is also the best investment we can make for the good of our communities.
Local government control Representatives to local government know our needs, priorities and are elected by the people in their community. I object to the current trend of the state making decisions for local governments and handing down mandates that adversely affect the ability of local governments to do their jobs.
Health Care I believe that all Kansans deserve affordable health care. I will fight the tax policies and callous decisions that have contributed to lack of adequate treatment and facilities for those who undergo any kind of illness. Expansion of Medicaid MUST be on the table in the next Legislative session. We are judged by the way we treat our most vulnerable.
Higher Ed Kansas must support the institutions that allow students to pursue a college education. Post-secondary education enables people to learn and follow a path to a productive life no matter what course of study they choose. These institutions are drivers in economical benefits for their communities through employment and the services required for students.
Judiciary There are three, separate, independent branches of government because those checks and balances are essential to maintaining a system that is of, by and for the people.
Food Insecurity With the decline of our small towns and their grocery stores, Kansas is beginning to experience “food deserts.” This doesn’t mean the food is not available, but that healthy food is increasingly hard to get. The United States Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods . . .”
People are getting fed but not in a way that contributes to overall good health.
We need to examine ways to rectify that to protect people of all ages in our communities.
* I respect all life from the preborn to those making end of life decisions. Health care, care for women before and after giving birth, education, fighting poverty, providing safe homes for foster children, taking care of our seniors, respecting the dignity of all. This is all pro-life.
*I respect the 2nd Amendment and have never considered taking away guns as an option. I have always supported reasonable, safe gun ownership.
Paid for by Grant for Kansas, Becky Messinger, Treasurer