Welcome to our online chat with Kansas House Speaker Doug Mays.

The chat took place at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

David, Lawrence: What impartial evidence do you rely on to support your belief that there is a threat to marriage in America, specifically in Kansas, such that Kansas needs to amend its Constitution to prevent some Kansans from getting married? I know you believe that there is a threat, but I’m looking for the impartial evidence of that threat. For instance, is your own marriage becoming less loving or stable?

House Speaker Doug Mays: I have been happily married for over 33 years. Thank you for asking. The constitutional amendment that you referenced that will be voted upon by the people of Kansas in April is meant to preserve marriage as it has been traditionally defined throughout the ages. We have had a statute that was believed to be sufficient until the Massachusetts courts decided to take a more active role, which opens the possibility of court challenges throughout the nation. This issue is in the hands of the people and they must use their own judgment as to whether there is sufficient evidence to support its passage.

Scott, Topeka: Mr. Speaker, please clarify your position on school finance. Will you provide a plan to the Supreme Court within the deadline that will fix the problems the court has outlined, or are you going to provide a short-term solution, and ask the court for more time to make a long-term solution.

House Speaker Doug Mays: Yes, we will provide a plan well within the time allotted. We are very serious about this process. We are looking for long-term solutions. And we are taking what we believe to be the proper course in search of those solutions. We have formed a select committee who has served for over a year on a previous joint committee regarding school finance. And that select committee has been meeting daily throughout this session. All of the meetings have been in public. And they have taken each aspect of school finance and had in-depth bipartisan discussions. The framework of a bill has been assembled and testimony regarding that bill will be heard this week and next. The Senate has their own plan and there are other suggested plans that must be considered, but we expect the House and the Senate will reach some sort of agreement well before the deadline, addressing the court’s concerns.

Dave, Lawrence: On a scale 1 to 10 — 1 meaning none, 10 meaning definitely — what are the chance for Lawrence schools receiving an increase is state aid in time for the 2005-06 school year?

House Speaker Doug Mays: I’d say 10. I think it’s fairly definite that we will. We’re under court order and we’re very serious about meeting the court’s deadline. Any changes in funding will be in effect July 1. Because the budgeting process is now underway by school boards throughout the state, its imperative that we reach a conclusion on school finance sooner rather than later.

David S., Leavenworth: What can we do to force the issue of concealed carry in Kansas? There is legit interest. How can we let one person (Gov.) stop a majority?

House Speaker Doug Mays: The subject of concealed carry will probably not be discussed this session. We focused much of our attention this session on the subjects of education and health care. The issue may surface next year. And considering the widespread support throughout Kansas, perhaps the governor will rethink her stand.

Scott, Topeka: Mr. Speaker, the Sebelius administration says there needs to be some restructuring of the health care delivery system in order to save money and become more efficient. Republicans say they have many questions about this plan, but why did they wait more than a month to get to business on the proposal?

House Speaker Doug Mays: That question is easy to answer. It wasn’t until about two weeks ago that the administration gave us any details regarding their plan. And there are still many questions that remain unanswered.

Joe, Topeka: Why has the Governor failed to propose a school finance proposal? Will the House Democrats submit their own plan?

House Speaker Doug Mays: While the governor has not proposed or to any great extent participated in fashioning any plan this year, she has embraced again her plan from last session, which was an additional $300 million in school funding phased in over a three-year period and funded by increases in sales, income and property taxes. There have been members of the Democratic caucus in both houses participating in the school finance debate. This is especially so in the House, where Democratic members have participated in discussions within the select committee on school finance.

Jacob, Quenemo: Are you considering running for Governor in 2006?

House Speaker Doug Mays: Sorry to disappoint you. But I have my hands full right now with the Legislature and just don’t have time to think about the future beyond the next 60 days.

Kyle, Lawrence: What is your stance on the issue education of science in Kansas involving evolution.. do you believe evolution is a theory that has yet to be proven? Do you believe the government should be tinkering with the education standards involving evolution vs creation/intelligent design?

House Speaker Doug Mays: I was taught as a student that evolution is a theory. However, I don’t believe that the Legislature should have a role in micro managing what subjects are taught in the classroom. That’s why we have a State Board of Education. That’s why we have local school boards. It’s their job to decide what curriculum that Kansas students should be taught.

Tim, Baldwin: Will the House vote to increase taxes this year?

House Speaker Doug Mays: I do not believe that taxes will be raised this year. And certainly, the House has no desire to do so. We believe that we can address the court’s order concerning school finance within existing means and intend to do so, skeptics not withstanding.

Barry/Wichita: Is the legislature considering any consolidation or downsizing of state government to help with the school funding crisis? Should we roll back the early retirements and have a partial freeze on new employment? I hope we can look at radical long-erm solutions to help our children. Thanks.

House Speaker Doug Mays: I’m not aware of any substantial cutbacks proposed at this time, however, if we can control the rate of growth of government in Kansas and keep the cost of that growth below the rate of inflation we would consider that a victory. Our economy in Kansas is expanding at an increasingly rapid rate. If we hold the line on spending we will be able to afford to address many of the issues that face us without expanding the rate of taxation. By radical long-term solutions, I’m not sure if you’re referring to the way that state government does business in Kansas or if you’re talking about such issues as education and health care. Either way, it is incumbent upon the Legislature and the administration to search for innovative solutions to the problems we face today and at the same time, more efficient ways of delivering services to Kansans.

Wally – Auburn: As a state employee, we have not received any raises, or step increases for the last several years. What is your opinion on this, and how is the State of Kansas going to keep good employees if they don’t reward them with raises and well deserved step increases?

Moderator: This will have to be our last question.

House Speaker Doug Mays: While it’s true there have not been step increases for several years, except for the period of time following 9-11, when the state experienced severe and unprecedented decreases in revenue, state employees have received increases in revenue each year. The Legislature and the administration would like to provide greater rewards for the state’s employees and I assume that we will do so as money becomes available. Meanwhile the governor proposed a 2.5 percent pay increase and I believe the Legislature will enact that. One thing that we should acknowledge is that while raises during the recession that followed 9-11 were not forthcoming, we did, through extraordinary efforts avoid layoffs and furloughs that were experienced throughout much of the private sector.

Moderator: That wraps up our chat today with House Speaker Doug Mays. We’d like to thank him for taking so many questions today.