Speaker Dan Hawkins: The ‘Commitments to Kansas’ from Republicans in the Legislature | Opinion

Representatives in the Kansas House have the smallest districts in our state government. This gives members a unique opportunity to connect locally with the people they represent and reflect the broad variety of interests across our state extremely well. But how do we turn those interests into legislation that truly benefits and best reflects Kansans?

Last summer, Senate President Ty Masterson and I met to discuss how to better incorporate local ideas into our Republican legislative agenda for the next two years. We agreed that getting out and talking to our Republican members was the best way to hear from every corner of the state. During this process, I think I put about 6,000 miles on my truck in just four months. After that, Masterson and I assembled the most commonly heard responses into the Republican Better Way legislative agenda.

The Better Way is a framework that consists of eight Commitments to the people of Kansas. It’s not bill-oriented — it’s solution-oriented, and it will be our guide over the next two years. As our Republican members craft their legislative proposals and those proposals work their way through the legislative process, we place them into the eight categories that make up our “Commitments to Kansans”:

▪ It’s Your Money: Our Commitment to Taxpayers

Kansans should keep more of their money and send less to Topeka. We commit to passing a balanced budget that eliminates wasteful spending, pays down debt, and saves for a rainy day while reducing the tax burden on both retirees and families.

▪ It’s Your Health: Our Commitment to Free Market Health Care

We’re committed to expanding consumer choices and Kansans’ ability to access health care.

▪ It’s Their Future: Our Commitment to Students

We’re committed to giving students and parents education focused on academics, achievements and outcomes. We want to set all Kansas kids up for success and support our beloved teachers.

▪ It’s Our Economy: Our Commitment to Free Enterprise

We’re committed to enacting reforms that lower energy rates; ensuring state investments are based solely on sound, financial responsibility; and prohibiting state investments in entities owned by hostile foreign governments.

▪ Help Wanted: Our Commitment to Grow the Kansas Workforce

Workforce development is a challenge across all industries. To grow our workforce, we must make college more affordable, promote technical education, support apprenticeship-to-licensure training and make it easier for Kansans to create their own jobs by starting a business. Work search requirements to obtain unemployment benefits will also help put more Kansans on the path to regaining employment.

▪ Protecting the Vulnerable: Our Commitment to the Kansas Safety Net

Our state’s safety net should be reserved for the most vulnerable and they should receive top priority to benefits. We are focused on eliminating waiting lists and not expanding welfare to able-bodied adults.

▪ Law and Order: Our Commitment to a Safe and Secure Kansas

We’re committed to keeping Kansas safe through law and order, combating the fentanyl crisis and supporting law enforcement.

▪ Freedom Starts Here: Our Commitment to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

We’re committed to protecting Kansans’ fundamental freedoms and putting government on the side of the people using commonsense strategies that encourage individual freedom and personal responsibility.

We have a lot to cover, but the Better Way framework will help us stay on track. It also serves as a scorecard that our Republican representatives can bring back to voters so they can hold us accountable. As your voice in Topeka, we’re ready to meet these challenges head on and fulfill the commitments in the Better Way.