State Sen. Mark Buhler, R-Lawrence, said Tuesday he was willing to support plans for letting Kansas tribes operate a casino in Wyandotte County.

Responding to a question posed during an online chat at the Journal-World, Buhler added that he would oppose efforts to expand the proposal to include gaming “everywhere all the time.”

Buhler is running against Marci Francisco, a Democrat, and Jim Mullins, Reform Party, for the 2nd District Senate seat.

Buhler was appointed to the seat after then-Sen. Sandy Praeger vacated it to assume duties as Kansas insurance commissioner.

Fielding a range of questions, Buhler said he would support a tax increase for public schools. He predicted it would take a mix of sales- and income-tax increases coupled with greater accountability from schools for a school funding plan to win legislative approval.

The full transcript of the chat can be seen at www.ljworld.com. Francisco appeared Monday in a World Online chat. Mullins is scheduled to chat at 1 p.m. Thursday.

Transcript: State Sen. Mark Buhler chats with voters online

Today, there will be chats with Marguerite Ermeling, independent candidate for the Douglas County Commission 3rd District seat.

Also today, spokesmen of groups for and against the retention of Douglas County District Judge Paula Martin will chat. Dan Watkins, head of the Retain Judge Martin Committee, will chat at 1:30 p.m. Karin Drees, chairwoman of the Justice for Children Committee, will chat at 2:30 p.m.

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