2014 KS Senate debate: on Environment


Greg Orman: Rein in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Political newcomer Greg Orman made his debate debut against three-term incumbent Sen. Pat Roberts in a race that's drawing national attention. Orman agreed with Sen. Roberts on several policies, including reining in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, worked to stake out the center, talking about his support for background checks at gun shows, while criticizing social-services programs as making it easier than ever to do nothing. He repeatedly said he tried both parties and didn't like either.
Source: Wall Street Journal on 2014 Kansas Senate debate Sep 6, 2014

Chad Taylor: Good farmers use best practices, as stewards of the land

Q: What is your environmental policy, outside of the realm of energy policy?

A: We think the environment deserves an advocate, and if that advocate is not the government, then who would be its advocate? The Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act and other environmental legislation have provided a clear definition of "best practices." Chad's a farmer, and farms the same was his family did, applying those best practices. During the Dust Bowl, the then-current practices were bad conservation, which led to erosion and caused the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. The CCC, the Civilian Conservation Corps, changed those practices: they planted hedgerows; introduced natural irrigation. Chad has been doing that for 20 years, and considers farmers to be stewards of the land, with an environmental ethic.

Source: Phone interview: 2014 Kansas Senate race OnTheIssues Sep 3, 2014

Greg Orman: We can protect our environment AND create jobs

In Washington today one side says we must protect our environment no matter what impact it will have on our economy. The other side says doing anything at all will cost us jobs and is therefore unacceptable. Both sides have dug in and don't believe there's any basis for cooperation.

The truth is this is a false choice, and I know it because as a businessman I did both. The first company I ever started, Environmental Lighting Concepts, designed and installed energy efficient lighting systems for commercial and industrial buildings.

Our company created jobs, helped the environment, protected natural resources, and made money for our customers. We used the opportunity to cut energy and ultimately help the environment as a good business decision.

Source: 2014 Kansas Senate campaign website, OrmanForSenate.com Jun 17, 2014

Pat Roberts: For early farm bill, but final bill had too many subsidies

On policy, [Tea Party primary challenger Milton] Wolf is already having an impact. The latest reminder came this week, when Roberts opposed the five-year, nearly $1 trillion farm bill, which was prized by leaders of the Kansas farm lobby but opposed by Tea Party activists. Roberts, who had written an earlier version of the measure, said the final legislation included too many subsidies.
Source: N.Y. Times on 2014 Kansas Senate race Feb 7, 2014

  • The above quotations are from 2014 Kansas Senate debates.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Environment.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Pat Roberts on Environment.
  • Click here for more quotes by Todd Tiahrt on Environment.
Candidates and political leaders on Environment:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R) 		Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R) 		Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Dec 06, 2018