Submitted
Steven K. Howe, a Republican from Salina, has completed the necessary paperwork to become a candidate for the Republican nomination for State Representative in Kansas House District 71.
“It has been an honor to serve the people of the 71st District,"said Howe. "With the state treasury having an ending balance of nearly $4 billion dollars, I have consistently supported measures to bring tax relief to all Kansans. As Chairman of the Higher Education Budget Committee, I have advocated for Salina Area Technical College and Kansas State University of Salina - both of which are seeing positive growth in enrollment. Building the talent pipeline will continue to be a priority for me if elected. I have also used my position on the Committee on Appropriations to support balanced budgets and oppose the expansion of government.”
During Representative Howe’s time in office he played an integral role in passing a resolution calling for a Convention of States for the purposes of proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States that impose limits on the federal government including term limits for Members of Congress.
“For thirteen-plus years I had the high honor of working in both our nation’s Capital and in a district office for two members of Congress from Kansas," Howe said. "When I first started on Capitol Hill in 2003, it was not too far after the 9-11 terrorist attacks and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) was in full swing, and it was just before the lead up to the War in Iraq, which was also known as Operation Iraqi Freedom. During that time the national debt was $6.7 trillion and the Debt-to-GDP ratio was 59%."
"Compare that with today, where our national debt surpassed $34 trillion dollars this year, and the Debt-to-GDP ratio is over 120%. During that time we’ve had two Republican Presidents, two Democrat Presidents, and both parties have controlled Congress at different points," Howe said. "Campaign promises are made and broken, and the American people often feel jaded and powerless - like nothing will ever change, no matter who they send to Congress. What can possibly address this? Is there hope? I believe so. That hope is found in Article 5 of the U.S. Constitution.”
Representative Howe also led the charge in the Legislature to pass a law which prohibits Kansas public colleges and universities from requiring statements on diversity, equity and inclusion as a condition for employment, promotion, admissions or student aid.
“I am glad the Governor and the majority of the Kansas Legislature stand in support of academic freedom, intellectual diversity and freedom of speech on our college campuses. In recent years many colleges and universities have required students and faculty to pledge their allegiance to a politicized understanding of “diversity, equity and inclusion” as a condition for employment and promotion," Howe said. "Loyalty oaths and political litmus tests are not constitutional, and that is why I introduced and worked to pass this bill which is supported by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).”
This past session Representative Howe worked to fully fund K-12 education, and fought to ensure the formula for special education funding was not changed to the detriment of students and their families.
“The state needs to fully fund special education as the state statute requires paying 92% of excess costs. Since the inception of special education reforms of the 1970’s, the federal government has never fulfilled their commitment of providing states up to 40% of funding. With the school finance formula set to expire in 2027, it is important to send elected officials to the Legislature who are willing to listen, learn and work to support our students, teachers and their families," Howe said.
Representative Howe is known for his commitment to be home each night with his family. Every day during this session, Representative Howe drove from Salina to Topeka and back - traveling nearly 10,000 miles.
“As a husband, and father of five children, it is important for me to be home each night. I am grateful for the love and support of my family as they allow me to serve. I look forward to running a positive campaign that listens, encourages civility, and promotes a stronger Salina and Saline County," Howe said.
For more information about Steven Howe’s candidacy for State Representative, please visit his campaign website at www.stevenkhowe.com.
Howe can be reached at [email protected] or 785-643-1606.