Statement of Principles

Kansas Democrats are committed to putting the people of Kansas first by promoting the values and policies that advance the common good and expand opportunities for every resident of our state. Our core values call on us to make our state the best in the nation in which to live, work and raise a family, not just for ourselves, but for all Kansans.

Kansas Democrats strongly believe in and seek to protect the freedom of the individual, while at the same time believing we must work together and we all have a duty to be active contributors to the vibrancy and vitality of our communities. As individuals, we fulfill that duty in different ways, be that through involvement in charities, religious institutions, schools, community organizations, or the political process.

Kansas Democrats believe that, to express the democratic will of the people of Kansas, our government should encourage the active participation in the political process of all people regardless of their race, color, age, physical abilities, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Kansas Democrats believe government is at its best when it operates in the spirit of cooperation and compromise, rather than partisanship and enmity. We believe what brings us together is far stronger than what might pull us apart, and therefore the opportunity to come together to advance the common good is always present.


The Kansas Democratic Party asks the people of Kansas to examine our traditions of leadership, upholding core Kansas values, and promoting expanded opportunities for every Kansan, and to then join us in moving our state forward to an even brighter tomorrow.

Issues Section

Creating Kansas Jobs and Protecting Kansas Workers

Without good jobs, Kansas families would be unable to take advantage of all the opportunities life in our state has to offer. As such, Kansas Democrats are unwavering in their efforts to encourage the creation of new, good jobs to our state. We recognize government cannot and should not be the primary job creator in any state, which is why we have sought to form partnerships with businesses – encouraging the private sector to create good jobs here in Kansas and helping businesses that play by the rules to succeed.

In recent years, Kansas Democrats have been leaders in efforts to support the development of small businesses and the recruitment of new, high-tech industries to Kansas. We believe new opportunities in fields as diverse as bio-science research and renewable energy hold great promise for our state’s workers. We will continue to lead efforts to encourage the development of these industries in our state as well as strengthen our existing industries, including agriculture, manufacturing and aviation. In addition, we are dedicated to encouraging exports of Kansas products.

Kansas Democrats recognize our economy and thousands of jobs depend on our transportation network, which is why we support the completion of the Comprehensive Transportation Plan.

In addition to promoting job creation, Kansas Democrats strongly support efforts to protect Kansas workers.  We believe every man and woman should be paid an honest day’s wage for an honest day’s work, which is why we support paying the prevailing wage on state projects and initiatives to pay workers a wage they can live on. Kansas Democrats led the successful fight to increase the state minimum wage.

Kansas Democrats believe all workers are entitled to a safe workplace. When a worker is injured, we believe they should receive fair and equitable treatment and compensation. Kansas Democrats support unemployment insurance that is adequately funded and provides income stability to workers laid off due to no fault of their own.

Kansas Democrats recognize the value of our public employees and will continue to support market-based compensation for state employees. We support strengthened funding for the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System.

Strengthening and Securing Public Schools

Just as it is a top priority of Kansans, investing in education has been, and always will be, a top priority of Kansas Democrats. The success of our children depends on quality schools, and the success of our economy depends on business’ ability to employ a well-trained workforce.  Because Kansas Democrats support our schools, we are committed to providing teachers with the resources they need to educate our children. This is why Kansas Democrats led the way in recent years to ensure a historic commitment to our public schools.

Kansas Democrats recognize any new investment requires new accountability. We have led the effort to ensure tax dollars are spent in the classroom to help our students meet high standards of achievement.

Prosperity and job creation in the 21st century depend on funding quality public schools, universities and vocational training in Kansas. There is no higher priority for our tax dollars, and there is no greater commitment for Kansas Democrats.

Supporting Rural Kansas

Kansas Democrats recognize the value of vibrant rural communities. Yet many rural areas of our state face real challenges. That is why we believe we must do even more to address these challenges and restore opportunity to rural Kansas. Democrats support ensuring the profitability of family farms and protecting and expanding markets for our agricultural products. The fertile soils of Kansas farms must be protected and conserved. This is best accomplished by research, education, and keeping the land in the hands of family farmers.

The public school is often the heart of a rural community and vital to its economic health. Kansas Democrats are strongly committed to our rural schools. We support funds for new technology to maintain and improve the quality of education available in rural schools. This requires making tools such as broadband Internet access available throughout Kansas.

New technology is expanding the opportunity for a great education regardless of where a child lives. This has the potential to create new industries and jobs in rural areas. Renewable energy production, such as wind, solar and bio-fuel, has the potential to revitalize rural communities, bringing jobs and prosperity while at the same time benefiting our environment. We will continue to lead the way in efforts to expand these industries in Kansas.

Keeping Kansans Healthy

The health of our citizens is important to the health of our state. Kansas Democrats support initiatives to encourage healthy eating and activity and promote preventive care.

No child can reach his or her full potential without a healthy start in life. Kansas Democrats believe every child from birth to age five should have health insurance and every mother should have access to prenatal care.

Kansas families, seniors and businesses are all struggling with the rising cost of health care. Kansas Democrats support expanding health insurance coverage for more Kansans and making health care more affordable. Under the leadership of Kansas Democrats, uninsured Kansans now have the opportunity to purchase medicines at a significant discount through local pharmacies. This innovative public-private partnership is an example of the progress that can be achieved when we work together.

Kansas Democrats recognize the burden health insurance costs place on employers. We have strongly supported incentives for small businesses to provide health insurance for their employees and we strongly oppose efforts to cut these incentives.

Kansas Democrats support full mental health parity.  In addition, we are committed to maintaining our community mental health services.

The people of Kansas should not be subject to discrimination based on information about their medical conditions. Kansas Democrats will continue to be the leaders in protecting the privacy of every individual’s medical records.  

Upholding Ethics in Government and Elections

Public trust in our democracy requires that the actions of our elected officials are guided by the public good.  Kansas Democrats believe ethics in campaigning and government are absolute principles to which our candidates and public officials must adhere.

We support continued scrutiny of state campaign and governmental ethics laws in an effort to clearly define acceptable and unacceptable conduct and close existing loopholes. We support full disclosure of all independent expenditures made on behalf of all political campaigns. We support a prohibition on candidates for Insurance Commissioner soliciting and accepting contributions from regulated insurance agencies and entities.

Kansas Democrats believe voting is both a right and a duty. Unreasonable impediments to the exercise of that right and the practice of that duty are deplorable.  The sanctity and security of elections in Kansas must be protected from partisan, ideological and personal motives.  We support the election of a Secretary of State who will be fair and impartial in conducting Kansas elections.

We support compliance with the National Voter Registration Act, and compliance with all federal election laws. Kansas Democrats believe every eligible vote should be counted.

Meeting Our Energy Challenges

Kansas Democrats believe America must reduce its dependence on foreign sources of fossil fuels. We reject the myth that energy efficiency and environmental protection are enemies of economic growth. We will make our economy more efficient by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, producing less waste and using less energy.

Kansas Democrats support measures to increase energy efficiency. We also support the development of economically and environmentally sustainable energy resources and a long-term commitment to the development of a renewable energy economy, one based on the production of power from wind, sun and bio-fuel. We support the availability of affordable energy and utility services to all Kansans.

Increasing Government Efficiency

Since the election of a Democratic Governor in 2002, Kansas Democrats have made government more efficient, responsive and transparent. Democratic administrations have led the way in conducting top to bottom reviews of how government spends taxpayer dollars. They have taken action to increase efficiency and reduce waste.

Kansas Democrats support the election of a State Treasurer who has experience in protecting our states investment and returning the money due to Kansans in these tough economic times.

Kansas Democrats believe we should review our state's tax structure to make sure it is fair and represents Kansas values. Kansas Democrats will continue to fight to make sure that no single sector of our economy or group of our citizens bears a disproportionate share of our tax burden.

Promoting Safe Neighborhoods

Kansas Democrats believe all Kansans have a right to be safe in their homes, schools, offices, places of worship, and communities. We recognize our safety is due to the hard work and sacrifice of law enforcement officers and the men and women of our armed forces.

Law enforcement must be given the resources to accomplish its mission. Kansas Democrats have been leaders in cracking down on methamphetamine producers, sex offenders, stalkers and other threats to our public safety. We believe in aggressively dealing with crime, developing long-term strategies to prevent crime and providing alternatives to prison when appropriate.

We support the election of an Attorney General who has experience in providing consumer protection, promoting public safety and prosecuting criminals.

Just as we support law enforcement officers, Kansas Democrats also support the men and women of our armed forces as they defend our state and nation. Kansas Democrats led the way in the creation of a Military Bill of Rights to help ease the financial burden of military service. Because our military personnel remain eternally vigilant, always ready to defend our democracy, Kansas Democrats pledge to always stand with them as they serve as well as when they return home. We support additional help for Kansas veterans as a way to honor their service to our nation.  

Kansas Democrats recognize the role both of these groups play in our homeland security efforts. We strongly support providing these brave men and women with the tools, training and support they need to defend our state from man-made and natural threats.

Protecting Families and Children

Kansas Democrats believe government doesn’t raise children, families do. Parents have a responsibility to care for and nurture their children. However, parents need support from their communities. Especially crucial are services for families and children who need extra help to succeed.

Kansas Democrats recognize persons with disabilities have abilities. We support the funding necessary for community-based services to help keep them independent and working as their abilities allow.

Kansas Democrats will continue to lead on the issues of pre- and post-natal care, safe and affordable child care, after-school programs, child immunizations, enforcement for child support payments, and criminal penalties for those who perpetrate domestic abuse. Democrats recognize the well-being of children and their families are the responsibility of all of us.

Kansas Democrats believe in ensuring an economic safety net for all families. We support the services needed to help families regain their independence.

Honoring Senior Citizens

Kansas Democrats recognize the tremendous contributions of senior citizens.  We support initiatives aimed at helping them maintain their independence and live their lives in dignity. We supported the recent increase in the personal needs allowances of Medicaid recipients in adult care homes.

Kansas Democrats advocate vigorous enforcement of licensing standards for adult care homes and oppose any form of age discrimination. We advocate uniform application of Medicare regulations and enhanced state and local support of public home-health services and hospice services. We support services including adult daycare, home delivered meals, transportation and community senior centers.

Protecting our Natural Resources and Environment

The health of Kansans is intertwined with the quality of our water, air, soil. We assign a high priority to cleaning up our rivers and streams, reducing the pollutants in the air, protecting ground water from depletion and pollutants, preserving biodiversity and wildlife habitat, and addressing climate change.

Kansas Democrats believe, as stated in the 2006 National Academy of Sciences report, human activities are contributing to unprecedented warming of our planet. This climate change poses a very real danger to our state’s residents and economy.  Kansas Democrats support action to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, both through the use of alternative fuels and increased energy conservation and efficiency.

Kansas Democrats believe incentives should be offered to assist farmers, industries, and municipalities as they adopt more environmentally-friendly practices. We support the state working with other levels of government and the private sector to achieve a healthy environment. We support environmental policies that will enhance, rather than diminish, the natural assets we pass on to our children and grandchildren.

Promoting Equal Rights, Human Dignity and Diversity

Kansas Democrats believe in equal rights for every Kansan regardless of race, color, age, physical abilities, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Kansas Democrats honor cultural, linguistic, ethnic, sexual, religious and spiritual diversity. We support the passage of hate crime legislation to protect equal rights. We support remedies to prevent job discrimination, including pay equity. We recognize the valuable contribution youth make to our state and we support giving young people a voice, encouraging and assisting youth participation in every aspect of political action.

Adoption

This platform was adopted by the Platform Committee of the Kansas Democratic Party. The meeting was held Saturday, August 28, 2010 at the Jayhawk Tower in Topeka. The Platform Committee was chaired by Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, KDP Vice Chair Teresa Krusor served as Vice Chair and Kenny Johnston served as Secretary.