Patrick Wiesner in 2016 KS Senate race
On Drugs:
Failure to stop opioid drug trade is a failure of government
Q: Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. and opioid addiction is becoming a big part of that. What role should the federal government have in curtailing this health crisis?WIESNER: The reports indicate that opioids are
manufactured in China and smuggled into the United States through Mexico. Failure to stop this drug trade is a failure of government. The President and Congress have the duty, tools, and public support to interdict.
Yet we still have more overdoses, more addicted, and more ruined lives. The problem has international implications; that means the federal government must be involved. Legalizing these drugs and marijuana would be surrender.
The American people should not tolerate this government failure. As Senator, I will advocate spending whatever it takes to fix this problem. Those in charge will be held accountable.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal voter guide: 2016 Kansas Senate race
Oct 1, 2016
On Drugs:
Legalizing pot would be surrender, but treat addicts who ask
Legalizing opioids and marijuana would be surrender. Our country is wealthy enough to afford drug treatment to everyone one who needs it and asks for it. I favor policy that will forgo prosecution of any addict who wants help.
Our country is also wealthy enough to commit the required resources to operations for finding the makers and transporters of all illegal drugs, destroying their means of drug production, and then putting the criminals on trial.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal voter guide: 2016 Kansas Senate race
Oct 1, 2016
On Energy & Oil:
Build Keystone pipeline without environmental mistakes
I support the Keystone pipeline and want it built in a way that doesn't repeat our past environmental mistakes.
Energy security, jobs, and environmental stewardship are the benefits.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal voter guide: 2016 Kansas Senate race
Oct 1, 2016
On Free Trade:
Protect American companies against foreign dumping
I will advocate regulations and tax policy that encourage US businesses to stay here and foreign companies to relocate here. If a company employs Americans,
I support rewarding them with a competitive tax rate, litigation relief, and protections against foreign dumping.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal voter guide: 2016 Kansas Senate race
Oct 1, 2016
On Technology:
Immediately start work on roads, bridges, and airports
Q: What needs to be done to strengthen the economy?WIESNER: The federal government is the only body big enough to provide a modern transportation infrastructure, set energy policy, and oversee environmental protection.
We can immediately start work on roads, bridges, and airports with new revenue generated from fuel taxes and user fees. I will advocate regulations and tax policy that encourage US businesses to stay here and foreign companies to relocate here.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal voter guide: 2016 Kansas Senate race
Oct 1, 2016
On War & Peace:
Protection of Iraqi oil reserves is a vital US interest
Q: The Islamic State continues to mobilize in areas of the Middle East and inspire terrorist attacks in Europe and the United States but Congress has dismissed attempts to declare war on ISIS or approve an Authorization for Use of Military Force.
WIESNER: A bedrock value of Americans is that we help our allies. Iraq is an ally and now needs our help. Protection of their oil reserves is a vital interest. We first must recognize that we cannot expect that country to function as a democracy.
They, historically, don't chose leaders by elections. Neither will they develop a western style free-market economy. The Middle East way of doing business is different than ours. The United States cannot let the terrorist ISIS army march into Iraq and
seize the oil fields. If ISIS takes control of these fields, they will use that oil wealth to promote violence against us and our allies. I support use of our military to defeat ISIS wherever they are including in Syria, Libya, or Iraq.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal voter guide: 2016 Kansas Senate race
Oct 1, 2016
On War & Peace:
It's up to the US to completely defeat ISIS
Q: How should Congress direct the next president in the fight against ISIS?.WIESNER: Complete defeat of ISIS is necessary. Syria, Libya, Iraq, and Afghanistan, don't have economies strong enough to pay for the military and police forces required
to control ISIS while at the same time providing for the needs of their own people. So it's up [to] the United States to stop ISIS; no other nations have this capability. After our troops give us victory, they can come home for good.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal voter guide: 2016 Kansas Senate race
Oct 1, 2016
On Abortion:
A woman bears the burdens; so trust her judgment
On Choice: It's a woman's decision. She knows her health and unique situation better than anyone else. She has the most at stake.Congress does not have the knowledge or consequences to be involved. Institutions as inherently dysfunctional
as the federal and state legislatures cannot possibly have the insight, empathy, or wisdom necessary to dictate the outcome on this most personal circumstance of a woman.
Finally, the courts are too slow and public to be a decision forum when time and privacy are the most important. Here also, a judge is unlikely to have any medical expertise.
A judge's decision cannot be better than one made by a woman who is closest to the matter.
A woman bears the burdens; it's her choice. I trust her judgment.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate campaign website WiesnerForSenate.com
Aug 31, 2016
On Civil Rights:
Marriage for two same-sex persons making a life commitment
On Same Sex Marriage: If two same-sex persons make a life commitment to care for each other, then
I support the law that gives them the right to publicly honor each other with marriage.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate campaign website WiesnerForSenate.com
Aug 31, 2016
On Environment:
Why do we waste effort on lesser prairie chicken regulation?
The current problems with federal agencies are caused by the current Senators and House members not doing their jobs. The standard incumbent talking points this election cycle are that they are champion of veterans and they saved Kansas from
lesser prairie chicken regulations. Both themes underscore the absence of Congressional oversight and failure to legislate.The prairie chicken case exposes a failure to legislate. The Fish and Wildlife Service is an agency created by
Congress and gets all of its regulatory authority from Congress. If the lesser prairie chicken was improperly protected under the Endangered Species Act, then Congress has the power to make that agency back off.
A simple law blocking use of funds to regulate the lesser prairie chicken is all you needed. They didn't get that through Congress. Instead, our delegation looked to the courts for an activist judge to make the law.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate campaign website WiesnerForSenate.com
Aug 31, 2016
On Immigration:
Hispanics are hard workers--but no amnesty
I have served with Hispanics in the Army and have had dozens as clients. They are hard workers who take care of their families and heroically serve our country. A robust immigration policy would help the Kansas economy grow when these hard workers
become employed by our businesses.Amnesty is not necessary. My solution is to establish special immigration facilities in northern Mexico to process those who want to apply for legal status. Those here illegally can return to that country and then
reenter in accordance with US law. The reward will be a path to full citizenship. The charge will be about $4,000 per person, to cover the costs. For those undocumented who avoid applying for citizenship, they will not be eligible for the privileges and
immunities granted to those who comply with immigration laws.
The program would probably take six years to complete. In the interim, Congress must address border enforcement including adequate funding for interdiction and fence construction.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate campaign website WiesnerForSenate.com
Aug 31, 2016
On Social Security:
Raise $180B for Trust Fund by mandated bond interest rates
A vital source of trust fund deposits is the interest earned on the US government bonds purchased when the Social Security has a surplus. Today, these earn about 3.3% interest per year. Twenty years ago, interest earnings were over 6.5%.
As your Senator, I will draft the law that raises the Social Security bond interest earnings to a fixed 9.3%. Interest deposits to the trust funds will increase by $180 billion each year.
This will replenish Social Security with enough reserves to carry the trust funds through the retirement of baby boomers and beyond.My plan does not increase payroll tax rates. We won't need to raise the retirement age, reduce benefits, or
incur more debt. Senators and House members will have to inform the lobbyists, special interests, and contractors that they will have to get their revenue from the private sector because the Social Security trust funds are short of money.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate campaign website WiesnerForSenate.com
Aug 31, 2016
On Gun Control:
Gun rights are limited: no concealed carry on college campus
The Supreme Court's 2006 decision in DC v. Heller provides good policy guidance on gun ownership rights and public safety. Justice Scalia wrote this opinion with great care. First, the Court affirmed the right of individuals to possess firearms for
traditional lawful purposes such as self-defense within the home and for hunting.Second, the opinion also held that Second Amendment rights are not unlimited. Justice Scalia went out of his way to declare longstanding laws that prohibit possession
of firearms by felons and the mentally ill; that forbid guns in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings; that impose conditions on commercial sale of arms; and that restrict the right to carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner
whatsoever and for whatever purpose, are still valid and enforceable.
The latter holding provides a US Constitutional basis for the Kansas legislature to repeal the unfortunate law permitting the concealed carry of handguns on college campuses.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate campaign website WiesnerForSenate.com
Aug 8, 2016
On Health Care:
Make ObamaCare work; repeal is unlikely
Candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for the senate seat, Monique Singh-Bey, of Kansas City, and Patrick Wiesner, of Lawrence, have opposing views of the Affordable Care Act.
Singh-Bey wrote that she would make no changes. "It is my desire to make the great state of Kansas a model state for the rest of the country," Singh-Bey said.
Wiesner said his job is to make the Affordable Care Act work. "Repeal is unlikely," he wrote. "Small business owners and the self-employed are seeing annual health insurance premium increases of
30 to 40 percent. I have a client family of five (all non-smokers) whose monthly insurance premiums went from $1,070 in 2015 to $1,450 in 2016."
Source: Salina Journal coverage of 2016 Kansas Senate race
Jul 9, 2016
On Budget & Economy:
Pay off $19T national debt over a period of 25 years
The Senate mission of Patrick is paying off the government's debt. Patrick takes paying off the national debt as the duty of baby boomers. His plan is simple but requires hard work. The US now has a $17 trillion annual economy. We can take 3.0 percent of
our GDP and, every year, put that toward debt reduction. In year one, we will pay off $510 billion. The second year--another $523 billion. If the economy grows at two and a half percent, in just under 25 years, the debt will be paid.
On top of the $19 trillion in Treasury bond obligations, our Congress and the lobbyists have unloaded $5.0 trillion of housing loan guarantees onto the taxpayers plus another $1.2 trillion in student loans. Borrowing and making more promises that our
children will pay the bill is the way Washington spends money without voter accountability. This culture can only be fixed by firing incumbents. If we do nothing, and let the debt keep going up, our children will leave.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate website, WiesnerForSenate
Apr 1, 2016
On Corporations:
CPA who owns a tax, bankruptcy, and business law practice
Patrick operated a CPA practice in Hays until he started law school in 1989. After law school, he opened a law practice in Overland Park.
Today, he is the owner of the firm Wiesner & Frackowiak, which operates a tax, bankruptcy, and business law practice serving eastern Kansas and metro Kansas City. The firm solves tax and debt problems.
For almost 30 years, Patrick has counseled workers and businesses in solving tax problems. This problem solving involves US Tax Court practice, devising payment plans, and negotiating settlements with the government.
He advises clients on tax planning and return preparation. When bankruptcy is the right option, Patrick represents his customers in Federal Court.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate campaign website WiesnerForSenate.com
Apr 1, 2016
On Energy & Oil:
Remove tax credits for wind energy & agri-biodiesel fuels
[The IRS and Congress need] to remove government subsidies out of the tax code. Washington incumbents and lobbyists prefer tax subsidies because these costs don't show up as expenditures in appropriations bills.
Stopping this accounting gimmick will end the politicians' avoidance of accountability for these special interest favors. Q
Further subsidies, such as tax credits for wind energy, railroad track maintenance, and agri-biodiesel fuels credit, as now written, are beyond the necessary expertise of both Congress and the Treasury to determine compliance.
The better policy is when a business or industry wants a federal subsidy, the House and Senate must publically approve by vote of an appropriation.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate website, WiesnerForSenate
Apr 1, 2016
On Families & Children:
Ancestors immigrated to Kansas; kids raised in Kansas
Patrick lives in Lawrence. He grew up on a farm north of Ellis. In the 1870s, his ancestors immigrated to Kansas from Germany and Russia. He grew up with seven brothers and sisters.All of Patrick's education came from Kansas schools:
St. Mary's Grade School, and Ellis High School. Patrick received a Master of Business Administration from Fort Hays State University; and a law degree from the University of Kansas.
Patrick's two children are college graduates.
His son, Frank, graduated with a computer science degree from Wichita State University. His daughter, Stephanie, graduated with a finance degree from Clemson University.
His children were raised in Lawrence. Both attended Saint John's Grade School, Southwest Junior High, and Lawrence High School.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate campaign website WiesnerForSenate.com
Apr 1, 2016
On Homeland Security:
Served 21 years in military; 3 years in Iraq & Afghanistan
In 2014, Patrick retired as a US Army Reserve Judge Advocate (the military term for attorney) with the rank of Major. He had over 21 years of military service, all as a reservist.His military career started out by enlisting in the Naval Reserves;
he joined the Army as a direct commission First Lieutenant assigned to the team at Fort Leavenworth. This duty included travel throughout western Kansas working to prepare Army Reserve units for deployments by drafting wills and powers of attorneys
for soldiers and giving instructions of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, reemployment rights, and the law of war.
He has served on three year-long deployments; twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan.
In his two Iraq deployments, he gave legal opinions on Army requests to use the Iraqi Security Forces Fund to train and equip the Iraqi army, police, and border patrol.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate campaign website WiesnerForSenate.com
Apr 1, 2016
On Tax Reform:
As CPA, I'll be the Senate expert on the tax code
Patrick has been in private law practice for 23 years. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. His practice is focused on solving tax and debt problems. Patrick intends to be the Senate expert on the tax code. His experience working with businesses and
families trying to comply with tax law gives Patrick the real-world expertise the Senate needs to write the revenue code that is fair to all taxpayers, is simple to understand, and generates the funds necessary to run the government without deficits.
Patrick will advocate for three immediate changes. The first is to adequately fund the Treasury Department with a focus on the IRS.
The second is to emphasize prevention of running up balances due rather than collection of past due taxes. The third is to remove the subsidy code from the tax code.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate website, WiesnerForSenate
Apr 1, 2016
On Welfare & Poverty:
Change housing policy to avoid taking on more debt
When bankruptcy is the right option, Patrick represents his customers in Federal Court. His work includes helping home owners.
Patrick has seen the problems caused by excessive home loans and government interference in these transactions.
He intends to change housing policy to emphasize building net worth in homes rather than taking on more debt.
Patrick is easy to get to know. Within minutes after he first meets his clients, they are comfortable enough with him to talk about mistakes they made and the financial trouble they are in.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate campaign website WiesnerForSenate.com
Apr 1, 2016
On Budget & Economy:
Paying off the national debt is the duty of baby boomers
Today, the incumbents don't debate paying off the debt. There is no talk of a surplus. They have given up on balancing the budget. The GOP-controlled Congress (along with all-too-willing Democrats) dealt with caps on discretionary spending by simply
raising the limits. In the process, the debt ceiling is now unlimited. Any discussion the GOP is a fiscally conservative caucus is a hoax.Patrick takes paying off the national debt as the duty of baby boomers. His plan is simple but requires hard work
The US now has a $17 trillion annual economy. We can take 3.0% of our GDP and, every year, put that toward debt reduction. In year one, we will pay off $510 billion. The second year--another $523 billion. If the economy grows at 2.5%, in just under
25 years, the debt will be paid.
Patrick has been in private law practice for 23 years. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. His practice is focused on solving tax and debt problems. Patrick intends to be the Senate expert on the tax code.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate campaign website WiesnerForSenate.com
Mar 1, 2016
On Energy & Oil:
End tax credits for wind energy & biofuel--they're gimmicks
[We should] remove government subsidies out of the tax code. Washington incumbents and lobbyists prefer tax subsidies because these costs don't show up as expenditures in appropriations bills.
Stopping this accounting gimmick will end the politicians' avoidance of accountability for these special interest favors.
Further subsidies, such as tax credits for wind energy, railroad track maintenance, and agri-biodiesel fuels credit, as now written, are beyond the necessary expertise of both Congress and the Treasury to determine compliance.
The better policy is when a business or industry wants a federal subsidy, the House and Senate must publically approve by vote of an appropriation.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate campaign website WiesnerForSenate.com
Mar 1, 2016
On Government Reform:
No lobbyist-drafted bills; Senators must read all bills
Patrick pledges never to let a lobbyist draft the law; never to depend on his staff to write out the questions he is to ask at a hearing; and never to vote on legislation he hasn't read. His policy is before a Senator can vote on legislation,
he or she must read the entire bill, acknowledge understanding the proposed law, and swear that no lobbyist has made a campaign contribution to get their vote. If the Senator can't say yes to all three, they are disqualified from voting.
Patrick believes this is the first step in ending the spectacle of Congress dumping thousands of pages of incomprehensible law on the public and then expecting businesses and
government workers to figure out what they and the lobbyists meant.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate campaign website WiesnerForSenate.com
Mar 1, 2016
On Budget & Economy:
End Washington DC's "let's borrow money" culture
Q: When thinking about the future of the state, what concerns you the most?A: My biggest concern is the "let's borrow money" culture of Washington DC. I don't think we should have to borrow for college and take 20 years to pay it off; or borrow to own
a home and take 30 years to pay it off; or borrow to run our Federal government and never pay it off. I want our kids and their kids to live their lives without owing money. As your US Senator, I intend to move us out of the debt cycle.
Source: Emporia Gazette on 2016 Kansas Senate race
Aug 2, 2014
On Budget & Economy:
Generate surpluses & not deficits; pay off our national debt
Q: What are your top three priorities?A: As Senator, I will start my work on setting budget policy so that we generate surpluses and not deficits; this will give us revenue to pay off our national debt. Second, our tax code needs attention so that
compliance is easy. Third, we need to keep lobbyists from drafting laws.
Q: What actions would you take on the budget?
A: My mission is to get our country out of debt. The United States has enough economic power and agricultural wealth to
be generous to its citizens and, at the same time, pay for the cost of government. National defense, Social Security, and a safety net for the poor are priorities. Other programs will be limited or cut so that we have enough revenue left to pay off our d
Source: Emporia Gazette on 2016 Kansas Senate race
Aug 2, 2014
On Education:
More revenue to increase K-12 funding and college funding
Q: Do you feel funding for the state's economic plan is working or not?A: The state is not collecting the revenue needed to pay for state expenditures.
I'd like to see more revenue so that Kansas could both increase K-12 funding and also provide more resources to higher education so that college students could get a tuition break.
Source: Emporia Gazette on 2016 Kansas Senate race
Aug 2, 2014
On Energy & Oil:
Support the Keystone Pipeline, with environmental safeguards
The federal government is the only body big enough to provide a modern transportation infrastructure, set energy policy, and oversee environmental protection. We can immediately start work on roads, bridges, and airports with new revenue generated
from fuel taxes and user fees. I support the Keystone pipeline and want it built in a way that doesn't repeat our past environmental mistakes. Energy security, jobs, and environmental stewardship are the benefits.
Source: Emporia Gazette on 2016 Kansas Senate race
Aug 2, 2014
On Government Reform:
Lobbyists should never be allowed to draft laws, nor donate
My policy is before a Senator can vote on legislation, he or she must read the entire bill, acknowledge understanding the proposed law, and guarantee that no lobbyist has made a campaign contribution to get their vote.
If the Senator can't say yes to all three, they are disqualified from voting. Lobbyists should never be allowed to draft laws or provide the talking points for a hearing.
Source: Emporia Gazette on 2016 Kansas Senate race
Aug 2, 2014
On Tax Reform:
Rewrite a new simpler tax code, but hire more IRS staff
Q: What are the top three issues on which you would focus during your term?A: As Senator, I will start my work on setting budget policy so that we generate surpluses and not deficits; this will give us revenue to pay off our national debt.
Second, our tax code needs attention so that compliance is easy. Third, we need to keep lobbyists from drafting laws.
Q: What actions would you take to address the tax issues?
A: Two immediate problems come to mind. First, in my tax practice,
I found the IRS does not have enough resources to accomplish its revenue collection mission. They need more people. Also, contrary to recent public discussion, the IRS has a culture of integrity and is committed to excellence in customer service.
Second, a new simpler code is needed. The current version is complicated and hard to comply with. As Senator, I will write the new code.
Source: Emporia Gazette on 2016 Kansas Senate race
Aug 2, 2014
On Tax Reform:
Tax attorney and CPA
I am a life-long Kansan and live in Lawrence. I grew up in Ellis, attended Colby Community College, and received my degree in accounting from Fort Hays, and law degree from KU.I am a tax attorney and CPA.
I own the Overland Park law firm of Wiesner & Frackowiak. I am an Army reserve veteran with 21 years of service.
Source: Emporia Gazette on 2016 Kansas Senate race
Aug 2, 2014
On Tax Reform:
A new simpler code is needed; but IRS needs more staff
Our tax code needs attention so that compliance is easy. Two immediate problems come to mind. First, in my tax practice, I found the IRS does not have enough resources to accomplish its revenue collection mission. They need more people. Also, contrary to
recent public discussion, the IRS has a culture of integrity and is committed to excellence in customer service. Second, a new simpler code is needed. The current version is complicated and hard to comply with. As Senator, I will write the new code.
Source: Emporia Gazette on 2016 Kansas Senate race
Aug 2, 2014
Page last updated: Jan 12, 2019