Who is Tom Sawyer?
Tom Sawyer is a Native Wichitan
Tom Sawyer was born in St. Joseph's hospital right here in Wichita. Growing up, Tom learned the value of family. Tom's parents worked hard to raise Tom and his four sisters. He remembers the sacrifices they made when he votes in the legislature.
Who Shares Our Values
Tom Sawyer feels that the state should be run more like a family. A family lives within its means while taking care of its children and elderly. Tom believes that the state should pay its debts off in the good times so that we don't have to raise taxes or cut vital programs in the bad times.
Tom Sawyer is A Small Business Owner
As a youngster, Tom Sawyer started a business selling candy out of his room. Years later Tom would start his own successful small business. Tom understands the value of hard work.
Who fights for Jobs in Wichita
Tom has voted for bills to expand jobs right here in Wichita. And when he found out that the State of Kansas was outsourcing call center jobs to India, Tom Sawyer offered an amendment that put a stop to this practice.
Tom Sawyer is a WSU Graduate
Tom Sawyer worked his way through college at Wichita State. He worked full time while attending classes earning his BBA in Accounting in 1984.
Who is involved in Our Community
Tom Sawyer has done a lot of volunteer work for various organizations in our community. He has walked 20 miles in the CROP walk, he helped built 20 houses in a week as part of Habitat for Humanity's Blitz-Build Wichita in 1995, he has served on the legislative committee for the American Diabetes Association, he has helped mentor youth as part of the youth program at his church, he served on the Visioneering Wichita Committee Task Force among his many community activities.
Tom Sawyer is an Experienced Legislator
Tom Sawyer is in his second tour of duty serving the citizens of the 95th district. He was first elected in 1986 and served until 1998 when he didn't run again so that he could run for governor of the state of Kansas. In 2002 the people returned Tom to the state house after he served four years as State Chairman of his party.
Who listens to our concerns
Tom is always willing to visit with constituents at the Capitol or in Wichita. He sends out newsletters, legislative highlights and other helpful information. Tom also surveys the district and holds town meetings to listen to the concerns of the people of the 95th district. He feels it is his duty to keep in touch.
Tom Sawyer is An Experienced Leader
His fellow legislators recognize Tom Sawyer's leadership skills as they have elected him to several leadership positions over the years. In 1990 he was elected the House Majority Whip and chairman of the House Ethics and Elections Committee. In 1991-1992 he was elected to the position of House Majority Leader, the only Wichitan selected to serve in that position since 1969. From 1993 to 1998 he served as the House Minority Party Leader. In 2005, our local representatives elected Tom to serve as Chairman of the Sedgwick County Legislative Delegation. Tom currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the House Rules and Journal Committee and as the Ranking Member of both the House Ethics and Elections Committee and the Legislative Post-Audit Committee.
Who Fights for us in Topeka!
Tom Sawyer fights to improve the lives of Kansas families. He is from Wichita and he shares our values. He feels that the state should budget like a family- living 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- cutting out waste. 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, passed 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 also feels that the state should pay its debts off during the good times so 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 smaller 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 is working to bring more high paying jobs to Wichita. 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 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.