Jim has a middle-class working family perspective. Jim knows how hard it is to pay bills, care for aging parents, and provide college for our kids.
Economy and State Spending:
Number one fiscal priority is to create non-government jobs and promote job creation. Grow the economy, not the Government. The solution to economic recovery is fostering free enterprise and entrepreneurship. Employers becoming profitable and financially healthy are the key. Kansas needs to establish a rainy-day fund to help stabilize appropriation.
Taxation:
All tax increases should require a 2/3 majority vote in the state house or be approved by a general vote of the people. It is irresponsible for our state to raise taxes in the worst recession of our lifetime. Although all people should share the tax burden, Jim believes the sales tax increase is the one that hurts business and the lower income families the most. The state of Kansas must have fiscal responsibility. The state must balance the budget by reducing spending and not raising taxes. Jim wants to see the repeal of the one cent sales tax that was passed in the 2010 session.
Ethical Issues:
Pro Life — Jim supports the constitutional rights of all US citizens, whether born or unborn. The abortion law that was passed and vetoed twice should be passed again and strengthened to discourage late term abortionist doctors from wanting to set up businesses within the state. Jim is in favor of simplifying the process and reducing the expenses necessary to complete the adoption processes.
Education:
Jim believes that furthering parental rights to choose the best school options for their children will continue to improve quality education. It should be our goal as Kansans to have the highest graduation rate in the nation.
Immigration:
Jim fully supports legal immigration. The process to become a citizen should be streamlined.
Second Amendment:
As a military man, hunter, and protector of his household, Jim Howell stands ready to guard our rights to bear arms.
Health Care:
Open up competition across state lines. Renovate private health insurance so that individuals and families are able to own and control their own policies and take them from job to job without tax or regulatory penalties. The more control Kansas families have over how their health care dollars are spent, the more efficient and affordable health care will become. Competition and health care options will naturally reduce the costs.
Pro-Business:
Jim wants to help reduce unemployment insurance liabilities and promote health care cost reductions. Unnecessary government meddling and bureaucratic complexities make it especially tough on small business. Reduce mandates that cost businesses time and resources which distract them from their normal operation. Repeal the “destination sales tax” plan. Sales tax based on the destination of an item is overly burdensome.