State Representative Tom Sawyer

Tom Sawyer values family and understands the value of a hard earned dollar.  He feels that the state should budget more like a family - a family lives within its means while taking care of its children and seniors.  Tom Sawyer feels that the state budget needs to be on a low fat diet.  During the last 3 years, the state has cut $159 million in waste out of the budget.  Examples include: Closing little used state offices in rural areas saving the state $1.4 million annually, reducing the State Parole Board and State Board of Tax Appeals from 5 to 3 members each, changing the state supplies contract to save $100,000 annually, HB 2678 which will save the state $4.5 million annually by allowing the state to phase in new license plates over 3 years.   Tom Sawyer feels that we have made a lot of progress in cutting waste, but more work needs to be done.  Tom also feels that the state should pay its debts off during the good times so that we don't have to raise taxes or cut vital programs during the bad times.

Tom Sawyer values a good education system that is accountable to the public. He is working to improve our children's education by reducing class sizes and directing more tax dollars into the classrooms by cutting waste.  Tom feels that class sizes need to be small and administration should be even smaller.

Tom Sawyer values a good health care system. Tom feels that Doctors and Patients should be in charge of health care decisions not insurance company bureaucrats.  He is also working to make prescription drugs more affordable and to make health insurance more affordable and available to all Kansans.

Tom Sawyer values good paying jobs.  Tom Sawyer worked to pass a bill that could bring a thousand new high paying aircraft maintenance jobs to Wichita.  Tom also supported the BioSciences bill that could bring us many high paying jobs in the future.  And when Tom Sawyer found out that the State was outscourcing call center jobs overseas, he offered an amendment that put a stop to it!  Tom also feels that we need to make it easier for our kids to get a higher education. He feels that the state should use some of its lottery money for college scholarships.  One of the best ways to attract new high paying jobs to Kansas is by providing companies with a well educated, highly trained workforce.

Tom Sawyer values a fair tax system that allows families to succeed and prosper.  In 1992, as House Majority Leader, he led the effort to rewrite our school finance formula that reduced our property taxes by 29%.  In 1995, he led the effort that cut our motor vehicle taxes by 50% over 5 years.  In 1996, he led the effort to give us a homestead exemption that cut every homeowners property taxes.  Tom Sawyer has long called for the elimination of the sales tax on food.  As the economy improves, he will once again push to eliminate this tax.

Tom Sawyer values a safe community.  He feels that if we aren't safe in our homes nothing else matters much.  Tom Sawyer is a strong supporter of Community policing and supports giving law enforcement the tools they need to keep us safe.  The Kansas State Troopers Association recognizes his work and endorses him.

Tom Sawyer values an open government that is accountable to the voters.  He has led the fight to improve the campaign and ethics laws in Kansas government.  As chair of the House Ethics and Elections committee in 1991 he led the effort to pass the biggest ethics reform law ever passed in Kansas.  He continues his fight to reduce the influence of special interest lobbyists and to make Kansas Government more accountable to the public.  Last session he co-sponsored a bill that will make it easier for the district attorney to prosecute violations of the Kansas Open Meetings Act.

"Mr. Sawyer, a Wichita accountant, is the sort of citizen advocate you'd like to see in every race at every level of government.  He is a quick mind.  He's informed and opinionated.  He comes up with good ideas, then sticks with them.  He's also a nice guy with an engaging enthusiasm and respect for public service."  -Wichita Eagle Editorial,  1998