They both support economic development, good schools and holding the line on property taxes.

So even though Democrat Jan Justice and Republican Roger Pine want to make those issues the focal points of their campaign for 3rd District Kansas Senate, it may be so-called “social issues” that define the differences between the candidates.

Pine is anti-abortion. Justice advocates abortion rights. Both say they support a statewide referendum on a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage — but Justice more reluctantly, suggesting a vote is a waste of resources when the state already prohibits the practice.

“I believe people should be allowed to vote on it if they want to,” Justice said, but added: “I’m a fiscal conservative. Kansas already has it.”

Pine agrees that Kansas has a solid law on the books, but favors the amendment anyway.

“The constituents I talk to want an opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment,” he said.

Abortion provides the sharpest disagreement.

“I’m a pro-lifer,” Pine said. “However, I still believe the exception to that is if the life of the mother is at risk, or the woman becomes pregnant through rape or incest.”

Justice, who calls herself pro-choice, said polls showed the state was evenly divided — making the status quo on the issue entrenched for now.

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“My personal opinion is that should be tabled,” she said. “That’s never going to be decided upon.”

Both candidates say the Kansas Supreme Court must decide the legality of the state’s school funding formula before the Legislature can begin making repairs to the formula.

They seem to disagree, however, whether there’s still fat to be cut from public schools.

“Nobody wants to talk about tax increases,” Justice said. “But the fact of the matter is that over the last four years, all the fluff’s been cut out.”

She suggested a higher income tax rate on wealthy Kansans might help, or new service and sales taxes. She rules out property tax increases, saying they fall hardest on fixed-income senior citizens.

Pine said too little state money got to Kansas classrooms. The state needs to offer incentives, he said, to reduce administrative costs, particularly in dwindling western Kansas school districts.

He ruled out property tax increases, but would consider other ways to raise revenues for schools.

“We may have to consider income tax, but that’s not where we have to look first,” he said. “I’d rather not look at all, but that may not be an option.”

Both candidates say they favor a statewide insurance pool to help small businesses pay lower rates for employee health insurance.

The district includes a portion of Lawrence north of Sixth Street, plus Baldwin, Eudora, all of Jefferson County and Basehor, Easton, Linwood and Tonganoxie in Leavenworth County.

State Senate: 3rd District (map)
	Biographical info:	Political experience:	Key issues:
	Roger PineJan. 11, 1940FarmerWife, Susan; two children and five grandchildrenFree Methodist1783 E. 1500 Road, Lawrence	RepublicanTwo terms on the Lawrence school board in the late 1970s and early 1980s; currently on Douglas County Traffic Safety Board and Douglas County Kaw Drainage Board	Streamlining state rules and regulations to encourage economic development; supporting education with a revamping of the school funding formula; government efficiency
	Jan JusticeSept. 17, 1949Executive director of Community LincHusband, John; six children and six grandchildrenUnited Methodist14323 166 St., Bonner Springs	DemocratChairwoman of Leavenworth Rural Water District No. 7	School funding; wants to form regional buying cooperative to lower cost of prescription drugs; wants to limit property taxes for elderly Kansans on fixed incomes