State Sen. Roger Pine, Republican incumbent running for re-election, will chat online at noon, Oct. 21.

Moderator

Hello and welcome to this Election 2008 online chat with State Senate candidate Roger Pine. I’m Online editor Jonathan Kealing and I’ll be your moderator today. We have many questions already but we’re happy to take more.

Moderator

Roger Pine is here. Thanks very much Roger for joining us.

Roger Pine

I am happy to have the opportunity to chat and I look forward to your questions.

nedcolt

How do you feel about farm subsidies,and do you feel its an unfair advantage to small farmers trying to compete.

Roger Pine

Most small farmers are doing vegetable crops or a different type of farming other than row crops and if they are doing row crops then they are eligible for subsidies.

Grump

Should all abortions be banned?

Should unmarried adults be prohibited from purchasing birth control devices and medicines?

Roger Pine

I am a pro-life candidate and I do not support any type of abortion. No, unmarried adults should not be prohibited from purchasing birth control devices and medicines.

Jefferson_County

You were quoted in the February 11, 2008 issue of the Lawrence Journal World as saying that “one issue that needs more attention is the environmental benefits of coal energy.” Would you explain the environmental benefits of burning coal?

Roger Pine

The proposed coal-fired plants in western Kansas are a lot cleaner and have the latest technology compared to all of the coal-fired plants in eastern Kansas. There would be less pollution from the proposed plants in western Kansas by far compared to the current plants including the one here in Lawrence.

In addition to the proposed coal-fired plants they would also be working on ways to utilize the carbon dioxide through algae digestion and possibly using some of the carbon dioxide for recovery of oil. There are ways to utilize the waste products from coal-fired plants in a positive way.

OonlyBonly

Do you think you’ll be able to reassure your constituants of your honesty after the two revelations concerning where you live versus claimed to live and the payments made to you just under the level of those requiring approval?

Roger Pine

I do own two homes and they are both in the Senate district I represent. I had believed until the primary election that I could choose to vote in either location until I was told otherwise. Since then, I have re-register to vote in Leavenworth County.

Any questions about my service to the drainage district or the payments I have received can be addressed by the drainage district. My resignation was related to my residence not any other issue.

jimjesse

Would you submit your records as treasurer of a drainage district to an audit, including all contracts given out to your family farm?

Roger Pine

I would not have a problem with that. However, that decision would have to be made by the drainage district.

coldandhot

Sen. Pine, thank you for your service to our communities during your lifetime. Are you concerned that the politics of smear and personal attacks is getting out of hand and will scare good people from running for office? I have watched your opponent Mr. Holland use personal attacks in prior campaigns and I’m tired of it. Can we do anything?

Roger Pine

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your State Senator, it has been an honor. I think it is unfortunate that smear tactics and personal attacks do discourage good candidates from running for office. I have focused my campaign on the issues that are important to those in my district and I hope that people will look past the personal attacks and concentrate on the serious issues we face.

Pogo

We understand you and your family have participated for a long period of time in the Federal Farm subsidy (Welfare for the Wealthy) program such that you’ve pulled in more than $110k over the past ten years.

Don’t you think the money you’ve been given by the Federal Government is better spent on those who are not even close to experiencing you and your family’s standard of living?

Additionally, why are you a supporter of corn subsidy for ethanol and yet ignore Cellulosic ethanol research which all studies show will lead to much less expensive ethanol? Is it because Cellulosic ethanol is a fuel produced from the stalks and stems of plants (rather than only from sugars and starches, as with corn ethanol)???

You’re a wealthy person compared to the bulk of the population of Douglas County. What are you plans to support the needs who don’t even have an idea as to your personal and family life style which is dang high on the hog to this $13.11 per hour 64 year old wage earner.

Roger Pine

This program is to help support farmers when there are low prices and often times low yield because of adverse weather conditions and insect and disease problems. Pine Family Farms not only supports all three owning families that work on the farm, but also pays the salaries for the individuals that work there outside of the family. Most money that is taken in by the farm is invested back into it. I support any research that is done on cellulosic ethanol and hope that it is successful. As a farmer I hope that every part of what we grow can be used positively.

Raider

What are yout thoughts about the domestic partner registry in Lawrence? Should the legislature enact a law that basically bans this type of registry at the local level?

Roger Pine

I have always believed marriage is between a man and a woman and I am not supportive of this type of registry.

ahyland

What would be your top priorities in the upcoming Legislative session?

Roger Pine

Economic Development- We need to make certain we are supportive of our current industries and provide them the tools they need to compete. In addition, I believe we can expand our tax base by encouraging more economic development, which also creates more jobs and opportunities for those in the community.

Education- The best investment Kansas can make is in the education of our children. Not only do we need to support and responsibly fund K-12 education, but we need to make certain we are supportive of our Kansas Colleges, as well as technical and vocational schools.

Energy- We need to develop a long-term energy policy for Kansas that is effective, yet still provides affordable energy and power to all Kansans. I think this will take a comprehensive approach that includes all types of energy and conservation.

Health care- We need to continue to work toward a more efficient and cost effective health care system.

There are many other issues that are certainly priorities as well. However, the above mentioned are the ones that my constituents have been most concerned about.

JHOK32

Dear Mr. Pine:

I wrote to you over the summer about illegal aliens, mainly roofers, who are taking our jobs. You never wrote me back. I have been a Lawrence native since birth & I am sick of illegal aliens taking our jobs right here in Lawrence. What is your position about this issue? What have you done about it? Thank you.

Steve

Roger Pine

I apologize for not getting back to you, thank you for the question. I am as frustrated as you are with the issue of illegal immigration. I believe the federal government has failed in protecting our borders. This has caused many states to look at the problem and see where we can take action. I voted in favor of the immigration reform bill that made its way to the Senate floor. More certainly needs to be done at both the federal and state level and I would like the opportunity to work on this issue further.

Moderator

That’ll be our last question for today. Thank you Roger for participating today and thanks to all of our readers who took the time to ask questions. Make sure you come back this afternoon for our chat with Tony Brown, who is running for the 10th district Kansas House seats. Roger’s opponent, Tom Holland, will chat with us on Oct. 28. Thanks also to everyone who submitted a question.

Roger Pine

I would like to thank the Lawrence Journal-World for allowing me this opportunity to chat. This was my first attempt at an online chat and I appreciate everyone’s patience. Thank you for all of the questions submitted even if we didn’t get to yours. I would like to encourage everyone to get out and vote on November 4th.