Topeka — State Treasurer Tim Shallenburger, a conservative Republican seeking his party's gubernatorial nomination, came out Tuesday swinging like a Democrat. That, at least, is what Democrats said.
If elected, Shallenburger promised he'll create a Cabinet-level agency devoted to children's issues. He said he would order that larger state agencies provide day-care centers in state office buildings for their employees' children. He also promised to extend tax credits for child care to married couples when one parent stays home with a young child.
"Politicians all claim to be concerned about our youngest generation. I intend to do something," Shallenburger said at a Statehouse news conference.
Democratic legislative leaders immediately suggested Shallenburger was endorsing their ideas. They said Shallenburger's proposal to create a new agency mirrored their proposal to create a commission on children's protective services.
'Top campaign priority'
"We appreciate his support and welcome him to the debate," said House Minority Leader Jim Garner, D-Coffeyville. "Perhaps the governor and other legislative leaders will now also recognize the importance of this issue and push children's issues to the foreground, where they belong."
Calling children his top campaign priority, Shallenburger said he would create the new department by pulling resources from existing state agencies.
For example, foster care, child-support enforcement and services for abused children would be taken from the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.
"We have a Department on Aging. We have a Department of Wildlife and Parks. As governor, I intend to finally bring the interests of children and families to the table," Shallenburger said.
Though Shallenburger promised state agencies would create day-care centers, he hasn't created one at the Treasurer's Office. He said there wasn't enough room or money.
Shallenburger, so far, is the lone male of prominence in the governor's race. Atty. Gen. Carla Stovall also seeks the Republican nomination. Insurance Commissioner Kathleen Sebelius is expected to represent Democrats in the governor's race.
Sebelius hasn't established day care at the Insurance Commission. But there is an "infants at work" program that allows agency employees to bring their newborns to work with them up to 6 months of age.
Nicole Corcoran-Basso, a spokeswoman for Sebelius, said the 5-year-old program has been wonderful.
"Having babies around creates a lot of smiles. Even the attorneys stop yelling at each other," she said.
Thirteen children have gone through the program, she said.
Stovall started a similar program at the attorney general's office last year, according to her campaign spokesman Scott Holeman. He said Stovall had earlier surveyed employees about the feasibility of creating a joint day-care program with the secretary of state's office, but there wasn't enough interest.
Bob Murray, a spokesman for Shallenburger, said employees at the Treasurer's Office would be allowed to bring infants to work, but none have requested to do so.
He said most of the employees were past the child-bearing age.
"If it were to come up in this office, Tim would say, 'Not a problem.'"
The candidate said the secretary of the new agency would also recommend ways to end wage discrimination and coordinate alcohol and tobacco and drug abuse programs.
Shallenbuger said he didn't know how much his proposed tax credits would cost the state in lost revenue, but he said the credits could be paid for from lottery funds that currently go toward economic development projects.
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