Jeff Colyer in 2018 KS Governor's race
On Free Trade:
Supports USMCA trade agreement to replace NAFTA
The USMCA is a new trade pact among the United States, Mexico and Canada, intended as a stronger and modernized replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).Gov. Jeff Colyer
(R-KS): "Renewing and modernizing this agreement will be a great help to farmers, ranchers, and businesses in Kansas. We are grateful to President Trump for his continued support of these industries and the economic health of our state and nation."
Source: White House press release in 2018 Kansas Governor's race
Oct 2, 2018
On Drugs:
No proof that marijuana treats any medical conditions
For the most part, the Republican candidates for governor are taking a harder line on marijuana, while the Democratic candidates and Greg Orman all support medical marijuana. Gov. Jeff Colyer and Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer both indicated they
don't support medical or recreational marijuana."When it comes to recreational use, as a physician, I am inclined to follow the recommendations of the American Medical Association and they stand firmly opposed to the legalization of marijuana,"
Colyer said.
Colyer, a surgeon, said clinical trials have proven there is no sufficient evidence proving that smoking marijuana is an effective treatment for specific medical conditions.
Selzer and Colyer both said they support the medical use of
compounds derived from marijuana, such as CBD oil. Colyer signed legislation this year authorizing CBD products that don't contain THC, the ingredient in marijuana that produces a high.
Source: Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Jun 29, 2018
On Free Trade:
Devastating impact on Kansas if NAFTA were to go away
Gov. Jeff Colyer sent a letter to President Trump this week in support of the North American Free Trade Agreement, in an effort to both support NAFTA, which was implemented in 1994, and back the Trump Administration's goal of updating the pact.With
its economy bolstered by the agriculture, oil and gas and manufacturing sectors, Kansas could be affected greatly, Colyer said, if NAFTA were to be scrapped or significantly altered.
"We would experience a devastating impact if NAFTA were to go away,"
Colyer said in the news release. "As NAFTA renegotiations continue, I am hopeful that the (Trump) Administration will reach an agreement that modernizes this crucial trade pact and creates an environment that enables Kansas agriculture and manufacturing
to thrive."
Coyler called manufacturing, agriculture, oil and gas and service industry jobs "the heart of America." About $3.65 billion worth of exports from Kansas to Canada and Mexico are shipped out annually, Colyer said in the letter.
Source: Wichita Business Journal on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Mar 30, 2018
On Civil Rights:
No commitment to protecting LGBT workers from discrimination
The headline of a recent editorial in The Star asked a fair question: "Why won't Gov. Jeff Colyer commit to protecting LGBT workers from discrimination?" The answer seems very clear: If the governor made such a commitment today--to issue an executive
order to protect LGBT state workers from discrimination--he might as well withdraw from the Republican primary race for Kansas governor. That's because with a promise like that, he would virtually be handing over the nomination to Kansas Secretary of
State Kris Kobach, whose overall appeal to conservatives makes him the frontrunner. Kobach has stated unequivocally he will do nothing to protect the rights of LGBT workers and said it is up to the Legislature to pass laws if needed.Although the US
Supreme Court has ruled that federal law does prohibit discrimination against same-sex partners and does not allow for sexual harassment, federal civil rights law doesn't apply to sexual orientation or gender identity. That void becomes a state issue.
Source: Kansas City Star on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Mar 16, 2018
On Civil Rights:
No executive order banning LGBT worker discrimination
Gov. Jeff Colyer appeared to contend that Kansas law contained the same prohibitions against discrimination of LGBT state employees as an executive order that was repealed by his predecessor, Sam Brownback. He is mostly wrong.Asked if he is unwilling
to put his position into an executive order, Colyer said: "It is the policy, it is the law of Kansas. We will not be dealing with these things."
Kansas has no law prohibiting employer discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender
identity. Asked to clarify Colyer's remarks, a spokesman reiterated the governor won't tolerate discrimination, but also said Kansas law mirrors federal law.
Federal law doesn't prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender
identity. But the Supreme Court ruled that federal law does prohibit same-sex sexual harassment. That means that employer discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity continues to be legal in Kansas [but harassment is illegal].
Source: Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Mar 16, 2018
On Government Reform:
Supports voter ID requirements
As a legislator, Colyer's record indicated support of voter ID requirements, making English the official language of Kansas, strengthening of seat belt laws, development of nuclear and coal industries, the 2010 state highway construction program,
as well as an array of abortion restrictions.Colyer embraced requirements that voters provide a photograph identification when casting a ballot to minimize the potential of illegal immigrants influencing the outcome of elections.
In 2008, he voted in the House for a voter ID bill that would have applied to everyone except those older than 65, people with a disability, individuals residing overseas and members of the military.
Then-Gov. Kathleen Sebelius issued a veto message
to block the kind of voter ID legislation eventually signed into law by Brownback. "No elected official should support enacting new laws discouraging or disenfranchising any American who has been legally voting for years," Sebelius said.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Aug 14, 2017
On Immigration:
Fought in-state tuition for children of illegal immigrants
As a legislator, Colyer opposed an amendment to a bill that would have prohibited Kansas employers from knowingly hiring an undocumented immigrant. He also fought against a law enabling public
colleges and universities to charge in-state tuition rates to children of illegal immigrants.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Aug 14, 2017
On Health Care:
Helped privatize Medicaid as KanCare
The state must receive permission from the federal government before the end of 2017 to continue its privatized Medicaid program, called KanCare. That's not entirely a sure thing after federal officials denied an earlier request to keep
the program going. If Congress leaves Medicaid expansion in place, supporters will likely push to expand eligibility. Colyer, adamantly opposed to expansion, helped spearhead the creation of KanCare in 2013.
Source: The Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Jul 27, 2017
On Abortion:
Staunchly anti-abortion
Although Colyer's voting record during his two years in the Kansas House and two years in the state Senate tells us very little, on one issue his rabid views are clear.
Colyer is staunchly anti-abortion. That undoubtedly is one of the key reasons Brownback picked him as his running mate twice. On a Richter scale of opposing abortion, Colyer is near the top.
Source: Kansas City Star OpEd on 2018 Kansas governor race
May 26, 2017
On Health Care:
Open meetings on KanCare instead of invitation-only
Colyer reversed course to endorse open-meetings for a working group focusing on problems with the state's privatized Medicaid program. Meetings of the full group and its several subcommittees should be open in the future.
Originally attendance was by invitation only. Lobbyists employed by the managed-care insurance companies hired by the state to run KanCare were admitted but at least one KanCare critic was turned away.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
May 26, 2017
On Tax Reform:
Low taxes & smallest possible government
When it comes to overall conservatism, one score tells you a whole lot. Americans for Prosperity, the ultra-conservative political organization founded by the billionaire Koch brothers of Wichita, gives Colyer a lifetime score of 97 percent.
Colyer, Brownback and the Kochs are soul mates. The Kochs, above all, stand for the lowest taxes possible and the smallest government, bordering on no government except for defense.
Source: Kansas City Star OpEd on 2018 Kansas governor race
May 26, 2017
Page last updated: Apr 19, 2020