Kansas Rep. Garber running unopposed for reelection
Incumbent Randy Garber, 65, of Sabetha is running unopposed for the District 62nd seat in the Kansas House of Representative during the Nov. 8 general election. Garber is a Republican, who has served in the House since 2011.
The 62nd District represents Jackson County townships north of 286th Road, including the cities of Netawaka and Whiting, as well as Nemaha and Brown counties and western Atchison County.
“I have worked hard the last six years to understand how our government works,” Garber said. “While I have made mistakes, I have learned a lot and feel I can continue to represent the constituents of the 62nd district fairly and honestly. I will strive to make Kansas a better place to live.”
Garber has lived in northeast Kansas for 39 years. He graduated from Sabetha High School in 1969 and attended various electronics and leadership schools during his naval career. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1989.
He and his wife, Kay, have five grown children and 12 grandchildren.
Would you vote to eliminate the LLC income tax exemption?
“I would not vote to eliminate the LLC exemption for a couple of reasons. First of all, I am not an advocate for income tax. Our citizens should get to keep what they earn. The 2012 tax cuts put us on the road to income tax elimination, which is a good thing,” Garber said. “I have heard people complain that it is not fair. There are many areas of our tax structure which are not fair. Secondly, it would not solve our budget problems. The LLC exemption is only about 20 percent of the total tax cut. The other 80 percent gave hard working taxpayers relief. I would eventually like to see the state income tax be completely abolished, and the tax cuts started us down that path.”
Do you think we have a state spending problem or a state tax problem?
“When individuals or families see a reduction in income, they have to decide where to reduce spending. Taxpayers don’t have the option of getting into someone else’s pocket to make up the difference,” he said. “Our state economy is not doing well. Agriculture, aeronautics and gas and oil sectors are underperforming. Since these three make up a sizeable portion of our tax base, we have seen a decrease in revenue in those areas for the last 36 months. Everyone likes the lower gas prices, but we must remember when the prices go down, revenue follows. We have a spending problem not just at the state level but all levels of government.”
Would you vote to implement a flat state income tax on all state citizens?
“No. I would vote to eliminate sales tax exemptions which is costing the state hundreds of millions in revenue every year,” he said. “If we removed these exemptions, we could lower the sales tax and remove tax on groceries. If we want a fair tax structure, these exemptions need to be eliminated.”
Would you vote to expand Medicaid?
“No. Many states that have expanded Medicaid are facing budget shortfalls because they underestimated the high cost of the program,” he said. “Healthcare reform is necessary, but I do not feel expanding Medicaid is the answer. The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is on life support. Healthcare premiums are increasing dramatically every year, and healthcare providers are opting out of the system. So why would we want to expand Medicaid?”
Do you think the state needs to provide more funds for public education?
“K-12 funding is more than 50 percent of our state general fund. Every year since I have been in the Legislature, we have increased funding, and it is currently at an all-time high,” Garber said. “While I believe in providing a good education for our children, I also believe we must not mortgage the future by leaving following generations with debt from any source (education, highways, healthcare, social services, etc…) We must be good stewards today to ensure our children and grandchildren are not burdened with having to pay for our lack of restraint.”
Would you favor using KDOT funds to solely build safer roads and create jobs rather than to prop up the state general fund?
“Currently approximately 17 percent of general sales tax collected goes directly to KDOT,” he said. “If you purchase band aids, copy paper, diapers etc... a portion goes to KDOT. I am in favor of using gas tax and any revenue tied to road use going to keep our roads well maintained. The dollars taken from KDOT every year is the general sales tax dollars, which belong in the general fund anyway.”
If re-elected, Garber said he plans to make a stand against abortion.
“I believe life begins at conception and should be protected,” he said. “If we ignore the atrocity of abortion and other moral issues, we are doomed to failure. I will be presenting the Personhood amendment to the Legislature and hope to get it through committee and to the floor for a vote. The people of Kansas should get to vote on this important matter.”
Garber serves as adjutant for a local American Legion Post. He previously served as state chaplain for the Gideon’s International and served as pastor for Trinity Church of the Brethren. He helps manage an American Legion baseball team.
“I do my best to research issues and do what I feel is right for the people. My faith plays an important role in these decisions,” he said. “I will do my best to represent the citizens of the 62nd District with fairness and humility.”
During the last session, Garber served on the following committees: Vision 2020, General Government Budget, Social Services Budget, Children and Seniors and 2016 Special Committee on Foster Care Adequacy.
