Steven K. Howe

Civil Rights

I support our constitutional rights to peacefully assemble, petition our government, and to speak freely on subjects and causes we hold dear. Speech must be protected, even views and opinions we object to or find deeply offensive. Learn more

Economy

These matters should be left to counties, municipalities and local economic development organizations. I believe the state is too involved in this area and I will continue to work to ensure these decisions are left to local taxpayers and community leaders. Learn more

Education

I have supported constitutional funding of our K-12 schools since taking office. However, the state needs to fully fund special education as the state statute requires paying 92% of excess costs. Since the inception of special education reforms of the 1970’s, the federal government has never fulfilled their commitment of providing states up to 40% of funding. With the school finance formula set to expire in 2027, it is important to send elected officials to the Legislature who are willing to listen, learn and work to support our teachers, students and their families. Learn more

The state of Kansas has plenty of higher education. There are six regent universities, nineteen community colleges, twenty private and independent colleges, seven technical colleges, two medical schools and one veterinary school of medicine. Fewer students coming up through the K-12 system means there are fewer students that are available at our higher education institutions. Many of the colleges and universities have been working hard to address these demographic changes by recruiting out-of-state students and investing in additional scholarships and providing more financial aid opportunities in order to sustain their institution. As Chairman of the Higher Education Budget Committee, I’ve quickly learned that everyone in higher education in Kansas needs to work aggressively to reposition itself to be leaner, more flexible, and more responsive to the changing demographic landscape of our state. The state cannot sustain these many institutions with less students. Hard decisions will need to be made sooner than later. Learn more

N recent years many colleges and universities have required students and faculty to pledge their allegiance to a politicized understanding of “diversity, equity and inclusion” as a condition for employment and promotion. Loyalty oaths and political litmus tests are not constitutional, and that is why I introduced and worked to pass HB 2105 (formerly Substitute House Bill 2460) which is supported by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). Learn more

Government Reform

During my time in office I played an integral role in passing a resolution calling for a Convention of States for the purposes of proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States that impose limits on the federal government including term limits for Members of Congress. For thirteen-plus years I had the high honor of working in both our nation’s Capital and in a district office for two members of Congress from Kansas. When I first started on Capitol Hill in 2003, it was not too far after the 9-11 terrorist attacks and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) was in full swing, and it was just before the lead up to the War in Iraq, which was also known as Operation Iraqi Freedom. During that time the national debt was 6.7 trillion and the Debt-to-GDP ratio was 59%. Compare that with today, where our national debt surpassed 34 trillion dollars this year, and the Debt-to-GDP ratio is over 120%. During that time we’ve had two Republican Presidents, two Democrat Presidents, and both parties have controlled Congress at different points. Campaign promises are made and broken, and the American people often feel jaded and powerless - like nothing will ever change, no matter who they send to Congress. What can possibly address this? Is there hope? I believe so. That hope is found in Article 5 of the U.S. Constitution. Learn more

I generally believe government should be limited, and that good governance is often accomplished when it is closest to the people. Learn more

Absent a robust immigration policy, our communities, our state, our nation cannot sustain itself with a declining birth rate. This past year marked the lowest birth rate for the state of Kansas since this data started being recorded in 1911. Nationally, birth rates have been declining since the recession of 2008. These trends are already causing significant challenges for many communities, school districts, colleges and universities, and the workforce in general. Furthermore, without supplementing these declines with a responsible immigration policy, these demographic changes will be creating significant challenges for many of our entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, as well as funding general government services. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, between 2020 and 2022, 76 of Kansas’ 105 counties lost population. Policymakers need to come to terms with these changes, and work to right-size the government. Learn more

I support Term Limits for Members of Congress and have signed the U.S. Term Limits Pledge, which states that “as a member of the state legislature, I will cosponsor, vote for, and defend the resolution applying for an Article V convention for the sole purpose of enacting term limits on Congress.”. Learn more

Guns

The state of Kansas is a constitutional carry state with solid state statutes that protect your right to bear arms. I have consistently supported measures to protect your 2A constitutional rights, and promote gun safety among our youth. Learn more

Healthcare

It doesn’t matter if you have private insurance or insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace (Affordable Care Act), or if you receive covered services through Medicaid, Medicare or a health care sharing ministry - the cost of health care in the United States is too expensive. Most of the so-called solutions often involve more government rules and regulations, more costs to taxpayers and more subsidization. At the end of the day, people are not empowered as consumers because there is not a free-marketplace in health care. I will work to support solutions that are centered on you as a consumer. Learn more

Taxes / Budget

After becoming a small business owner, I quickly learned that I also became a tax collector for the government. A simpler tax code with fewer carve-outs for special interests could mean lower taxes for all. I will continue to advocate for a single-rate income tax, and a tax structure that makes Kansas more economically competitive. According to the 2023 National Movers Study from United Van Lines, Kansas ranked 8th for outbound migration which is not something to brag about. We cannot afford to continue to lose people to lower taxed states. Learn more

When times are good, there is always the temptation in Topeka to spend more of your hard-earned money. I believe your state government is spending too much money on projects outside the purview of infrastructure, education, public safety and social services. Learn more