John Coen is challenging Tony Brown for the 10th District Kansas House seat, currently held by Tom Holland. Holland is running for State Senate.

Moderator

Hello and welcome to this LJWorld.com Election 2008 online chat. I’m online editor Jonathan Kealing and I’ll be your moderator. We have John Coen with us today. Thanks to John for joining us.

John Coen

I’m happy to participate. I’m looking forward to the questions and chat.

Moderator

We have a couple questions already but we’re still taking more. If you have one, please get it in.

Moderator

John, before we get started, can you tell us what you think makes you the most qualified candidate for the 10th district seat?

John Coen

My experience and my community service. I have worked the last 2 years on the Senate Majority Leader’s staff in the Legislature. That combined w/ my years on the 290 school board and the Ransom Memorial Hospital Board, Gov. Graves 21st Century Vision Team and the KS Animal Health Board have prepared me for service in Topeka.

John Coen

My experience and my community service. I have worked the last 2 years on the Senate Majority Leader’s staff in the Legislature. That combined w/ my years on the 290 school board and the Ransom Memorial Hospital Board, Gov. Graves 21st Century Vision Team and the KS Animal Health Board have prepared me for service in Topeka.

speedykitty

What have been your lifelong experiences in education?

John Coen

First of all my college degree is in education; although I never taught, I went directly to the farm from college. Secondly, my wife and mother are life-time teachers, and I have 2 daughters in education. I say that to illustrate that education is an important part of our family. My service on site councils and the Ottawa Board of Ed. have taught me local control is extremely important. That along w/ continuing the 3 year rolling finance plan that has now been established. Additionally, a priority of mine will be to get more money into teacher’s salaries and the actual classroom.

Moderator

There has been some concern about where you live. Your opponent has said you have always said you lived in Ottawa until just before this election. How do you respond to that?

John Coen

I have lived in the same location for 24 years. We are 8 miles west of Wellsville, 8 miles north and east of Ottawa, and 5 miles south of Baldwin. I live closer to Baldwin than Tom Holland does who has served this district for 6 years. We are 1.5 miles south of the Dg/Fr county line.

tomwbarker

Most politicians talk about increasing the budgets of education, public safetry services, etc. However, what they normally do not discuss is how to fund these increases. In oder to provide more funding to these projects do you purpose to increase taxes, slash spending from other parts of the state budget, or a little of both? In answering this what kind of taxes would you purpose or what part of the budget would you cut to get these funds?

John Coen

I think key to funding education is relying less on the mill levy. It has traditionally been the 3rd leg of a 3 legged funding stool. At one time, if you owned property, it was a designation of wealth. I don’t think that any longer applies. I feel a better designation of ability to pay is income and sales tax, both a function of the general fund. Additionally, the mill levy is the funding mechanism of our county and city governments, making it difficult for the state to increase the mill levy for education b/c it hamstrings our local governments. To be able to get additional dollars into education, it has to come from the general fund which means a rework of the current funding formula.

Moderator

What would be your energy priorities, if elected?

John Coen

Our energy policy must consist of 3 factors: reliable, renewable, and affordable. B/c everyone is going to expect the lights to come on when they throw the switch and additionally be able to pay for it, coal will be part of the equation. I will insist on 20% renewable by 2020. This is a lofty goal b/c it will require new and additional infrastructure. Also, we must insist on the newest and best technology to control emissions from new and existing coal plants. When we achieve the 20% renewable, infrastructure will be in place to be able to go even further w/ our renewable energy sources. Other factors will be included such as net metering, incentives for homeowners to include renewable energy sources in their homes, etc.

Moderator

That’s all the questions we have today. Thanks to John for joining us and to everyone who submitted questions. Just a reminder – we have another chat today, with a registered dietitian who can help anyone moderate their salt intake. Thanks again to John and everyone else who logged on.

John Coen

Thanks Jonathan for the forum. This has been fun. I would encourage all your readers who want to continue to ask my thoughts on issues to contact me through my web page www.johncoen.org.