Musselman challenges Swanson for District 64 House seat
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Swanson offers leadership
Retired businessman Vern Swanson said serving in the Legislature in difficult economic times has also been rewarding because he enjoys helping constituents.
Swanson, 69, and his wife, Susie, have two grown children and seven grandchildren. Vern Swanson was involved in food sales for 31 years before retiring in 2006.
“I still enjoy serving. The challenge is there, but I can make a difference and I have the time,” Swanson said.
“I do spend time outside the 90-day session,” he said.
He and his wife volunteered during the Chapman recovery in the aftermath of the June 2008 tornado. Chapman and northeast Dickinson County comprise part of the 64th District. Volunteering by setting an example is a mantra he lives by.
Seeking his third term, Swanson said the budget will remain the biggest issue. He voted in support of a 1 cent special retailers’ sales tax that began July 1 to help address budget shortfalls. The bill was approved in bipartisan manner and is estimated to raise about $300 million a year.
The incumbent said the increase was supported only after $1 billion was cut out of a $6 billion budget.
“I was proud of being part of the solution,” he said, noting that he was a legislator who agreed with cuts until it got the point where any more cuts would hurt the state.
“I do not believe we could have done any more cuts without doing more harm,” Swanson said.
Spending cuts were addressed first, he reiterated before any revenue enhancements were discussed.
“It is not permanent. It is a temporary increase for three years,” he said. “The sales tax is the least harmful. Everyone pays it.”
The budget will remain the largest issue looming and many eyes will be on the revenue collections and projections over the next six months. A new governor will be sworn in January 2011, and he said a new administration will bring a different perspective as Kansans look for new leadership from Cedar Crest.
The Legislature did pass several other major pieces of law including the clean air indoor act, which will have long-term health benefits. A transportation bill also passed.
“I’m happy the transportation passed. We have to look at maintenance of our roads or we will go backward,” he said.
The transportation bill will guarantee each county will get at least $8 million.
The Legislature also showed a willingness to cut the budget. He said a 16 percent cut was very real.
The lawmakers continue to provide a safety net for schools, senior citizens and the disabled.
Those services are necessary. He believes legislation provided small employers with incentives to expand. One incentive program allows an employer to keep 95 percent of withholding taxes as one incentive to hire more employees.
“I do believe that in time that will create jobs. Private business is the engine that runs Kansas.”
Kansas is ranked seventh in job creation and ranked in the top 10 in several rating services.
“I do not think we have to be negative about our state. Western Kansas is losing population. We do need to look west of U.S. Highway 81.”
Swanson was ready for the Aug. 3 primary and looked for an opportunity to serve constituents again.
“It is not drudgery. I enjoy the giving of time and getting to know people,” Swanson said. “When the fun is gone I won’t do it anymore.”
He was proud of his endorsements from the K-NEA, Kansas Livestock Association, Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Agri-business Council.
“I think it is a testament of the leadership I have provided and I have the background that helps this (64th) district,” Swanson said. “I think to do a good job you have to have that.”
He was lists himself as pro-life and said he votes consistently on issues, adding that pro-life also means being an advocate for Kansans of all ages.
Musselman touts ideas
Mike Musselman said his decision to run for a seat in the Kansas House of Representatives was based on a belief that he wanted to make a difference through public service.
It was decision he and his wife, Melanie, made to have Kansas be a better place for his four children -- their daughter and three sons -- to live.
Mike Musselman is a 40-year-old rural Clay Center farmer and rancher who is seeking the Republican nomination for the 64th District on Aug. 3. The 64th District includes the northeast part of Dickinson County and Chapman.
He has been growing concerned about the growth in federal spending in recent years and believes that mentality filters into the state level.
“I completely disagree with out of control spending in all levels of government,” Musselman said. “With a young family I want to protect their future. We have to work hard to control spending.”
The budget is the center issue and he has taken a view that all spending has to be put on the table, the challenger said.
“We are going to have to curb spending and balance the budget in real terms,” he said. “It is sad to see where we came from several years ago of having a surplus and now we have let it dwindle down. It’s not a good place to be at.”
As a farmer and rancher Musselman said he has to make adjustments in his operation when times are tough.
His decision to run also involved taxes and regulations. “We need to have taxes that are fair and create wealth. We need to crack down on illegal immigration. Legal immigration is great, but illegal immigration is something we need to address as a state. From what we can see based on how the federal government reacted about the Arizona law we can see the federal government does not want to address the problem. The federal government has to cooperate with the states to address the problem. We simply cannot allow illegal immigrants to have special benefits. Once they are here legally, no problem. Illegal immigration is not fair or right for everyone else.”
He prides himself on being a good listener.
“There’s a lot of issues to think about and that goes back to my background,” he said. “You can get assigned to a lot of committees, but that does not mean you are effective. A person has to keep working at things and listen to the people. You cannot cover it all. You have to do the best you can and try to help people by working through the proper channels. You cannot master all the issues but I think a legislator has to be the voice of the people and help people.”
He has conservative principles on numerous social issues.
“We need to support traditional marriage,” Musselman said. “Strong families build a strong foundation for communities to be successful. We are strong on keeping traditional marriage between one man and one woman. I know we do not deal with that much in the 64th District, but it defines who we are. I want strong conservative leadership for the 64th District.”
He also pledged to be strong advocate of agriculture, and a proponent of alternative energy sources such as wind, which can also benefit rural areas. He also pledged to be supportive of education, believing that it the foundation of a good education for a child starts at home. He believed that schools in the 64th District do a good job of educating children and that they need funding to continue to succeed. As a legislator he pledged to be supportive of education initiatives that would make public, private and home schools successful.
Musselman says he has been endorsed by Kansans For Life, Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Kansas Republican Assembly in Topeka. He was proud of his A rating by the National Rifle Association. He believes strongly in the principles of the Second Amendment.
Retired businessman Vern Swanson said serving in the Legislature in difficult economic times has also been rewarding because he enjoys helping constituents.
Swanson, 69, and his wife, Susie, have two grown children and seven grandchildren. Vern Swanson was involved in food sales for 31 years before retiring in 2006.
“I still enjoy serving. The challenge is there, but I can make a difference and I have the time,” Swanson said.
“I do spend time outside the 90-day session,” he said.
He and his wife volunteered during the Chapman recovery in the aftermath of the June 2008 tornado. Chapman and northeast Dickinson County comprise part of the 64th District. Volunteering by setting an example is a mantra he lives by.
Seeking his third term, Swanson said the budget will remain the biggest issue. He voted in support of a 1 cent special retailers’ sales tax that began July 1 to help address budget shortfalls. The bill was approved in bipartisan manner and is estimated to raise about $300 million a year.
The incumbent said the increase was supported only after $1 billion was cut out of a $6 billion budget.
“I was proud of being part of the solution,” he said, noting that he was a legislator who agreed with cuts until it got the point where any more cuts would hurt the state.
“I do not believe we could have done any more cuts without doing more harm,” Swanson said.
Spending cuts were addressed first, he reiterated before any revenue enhancements were discussed.
“It is not permanent. It is a temporary increase for three years,” he said. “The sales tax is the least harmful. Everyone pays it.”
The budget will remain the largest issue looming and many eyes will be on the revenue collections and projections over the next six months. A new governor will be sworn in January 2011, and he said a new administration will bring a different perspective as Kansans look for new leadership from Cedar Crest.
The Legislature did pass several other major pieces of law including the clean air indoor act, which will have long-term health benefits. A transportation bill also passed.
“I’m happy the transportation passed. We have to look at maintenance of our roads or we will go backward,” he said.
The transportation bill will guarantee each county will get at least $8 million.
The Legislature also showed a willingness to cut the budget. He said a 16 percent cut was very real.
The lawmakers continue to provide a safety net for schools, senior citizens and the disabled.
Those services are necessary. He believes legislation provided small employers with incentives to expand. One incentive program allows an employer to keep 95 percent of withholding taxes as one incentive to hire more employees.
“I do believe that in time that will create jobs. Private business is the engine that runs Kansas.”
Kansas is ranked seventh in job creation and ranked in the top 10 in several rating services.
“I do not think we have to be negative about our state. Western Kansas is losing population. We do need to look west of U.S. Highway 81.”
Swanson was ready for the Aug. 3 primary and looked for an opportunity to serve constituents again.
“It is not drudgery. I enjoy the giving of time and getting to know people,” Swanson said. “When the fun is gone I won’t do it anymore.”
He was proud of his endorsements from the K-NEA, Kansas Livestock Association, Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Agri-business Council.
“I think it is a testament of the leadership I have provided and I have the background that helps this (64th) district,” Swanson said. “I think to do a good job you have to have that.”
He was lists himself as pro-life and said he votes consistently on issues, adding that pro-life also means being an advocate for Kansans of all ages.
Musselman touts ideas
Mike Musselman said his decision to run for a seat in the Kansas House of Representatives was based on a belief that he wanted to make a difference through public service.
It was decision he and his wife, Melanie, made to have Kansas be a better place for his four children -- their daughter and three sons -- to live.
Mike Musselman is a 40-year-old rural Clay Center farmer and rancher who is seeking the Republican nomination for the 64th District on Aug. 3. The 64th District includes the northeast part of Dickinson County and Chapman.
He has been growing concerned about the growth in federal spending in recent years and believes that mentality filters into the state level.
“I completely disagree with out of control spending in all levels of government,” Musselman said. “With a young family I want to protect their future. We have to work hard to control spending.”
The budget is the center issue and he has taken a view that all spending has to be put on the table, the challenger said.
“We are going to have to curb spending and balance the budget in real terms,” he said. “It is sad to see where we came from several years ago of having a surplus and now we have let it dwindle down. It’s not a good place to be at.”
As a farmer and rancher Musselman said he has to make adjustments in his operation when times are tough.
His decision to run also involved taxes and regulations. “We need to have taxes that are fair and create wealth. We need to crack down on illegal immigration. Legal immigration is great, but illegal immigration is something we need to address as a state. From what we can see based on how the federal government reacted about the Arizona law we can see the federal government does not want to address the problem. The federal government has to cooperate with the states to address the problem. We simply cannot allow illegal immigrants to have special benefits. Once they are here legally, no problem. Illegal immigration is not fair or right for everyone else.”
He prides himself on being a good listener.
“There’s a lot of issues to think about and that goes back to my background,” he said. “You can get assigned to a lot of committees, but that does not mean you are effective. A person has to keep working at things and listen to the people. You cannot cover it all. You have to do the best you can and try to help people by working through the proper channels. You cannot master all the issues but I think a legislator has to be the voice of the people and help people.”
He has conservative principles on numerous social issues.
“We need to support traditional marriage,” Musselman said. “Strong families build a strong foundation for communities to be successful. We are strong on keeping traditional marriage between one man and one woman. I know we do not deal with that much in the 64th District, but it defines who we are. I want strong conservative leadership for the 64th District.”
He also pledged to be strong advocate of agriculture, and a proponent of alternative energy sources such as wind, which can also benefit rural areas. He also pledged to be supportive of education, believing that it the foundation of a good education for a child starts at home. He believed that schools in the 64th District do a good job of educating children and that they need funding to continue to succeed. As a legislator he pledged to be supportive of education initiatives that would make public, private and home schools successful.
Musselman says he has been endorsed by Kansans For Life, Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Kansas Republican Assembly in Topeka. He was proud of his A rating by the National Rifle Association. He believes strongly in the principles of the Second Amendment.