Palmer gears up for her freshman year as District 4 state representative

Sunday, December 24, 2006

By Jason E. Silvers

Herald-Tribune

Fort Scott, Kan. -- The years of working in classrooms, sitting in on conferences with parents, and spending countless evenings grading homework, are now gone.

These days, Fort Scott resident Shirley Palmer is getting ready for a change of pace as the newly-elected Southeast Kansas District 4 State Representative. Palmer, a long-time teacher in Fort Scott who has also served on the Kansas Board of Regents and is a past Kansas Teacher of the Year, will soon head to Topeka for the start of the 2007 session of the Kansas Legislature, which begins on Jan. 8.

Palmer recently responded to a series of questions posed to her by The Fort Scott Tribune, as she prepares for her first career venture into the realm of politics. She also talked about Kansas' outlook for the future, and important issues that Kansas lawmakers will face during their upcoming 90-day session.

After career spanning 30 years in education, Palmer didn't hide her trepidation about beginning her new career.

"It's unbelievable how many meetings have already been scheduled and that I attended concerning the upcoming Legislative session," she said. "I feel confident I can do the job and truly hope I can make a difference. However, I would be less than honest if I didn't feel a little nervous about it all at this time. I will do my best."

Palmer, a Democrat, unseated incumbent Republican Lynne Oharah after the Nov. 7 general election. Oharah, who is from Uniontown, had only served one term in office. Palmer beat Oharah by winning 51 percent of the votes to Oharah's 49 percent in District Four, which includes 14 towns in Linn County and 13 towns in Bourbon County. Palmer defeated Oharah 53 percent to 47 percent in Bourbon County.

Palmer offered her thoughts on the outcome of that election, and its impact on Kansas and the U.S. in the future.

"I believe the election showed there is a more moderate thinking among the people than in the past, and there is a mainstream who want government to provide services," she said. "The election was a reminder to all those in elected office that we are servants of the public who need to work together to get things done for our families and for our state. Hopefully, this message will be heard by leaders in Topeka and Washington, resulting in policy that is less partisan and more beneficial to the people."

Major issues in Southeast Kansas and the state that lawmakers need to address during the new session include economic development, job creation, education, building maintenance for higher education, health care, safe neighborhoods, and alternative energy sources, Palmer said.

"There is also a need to focus on highway infrastructure," she said. "Highway improvements, such as those slated for (U.S.) Highway 69, will help improve the economies of Kansas communities and bring more tourism through our state."

Palmer also said she firmly believes that Kansas ranks high among other states in the country in terms of education, business and the economy.

"I'm proud to say I believe (that Kansas ranks) in the top 10 percent in all three areas," she said. "Kansas ranks in the top 10 percent according to ACT, SAT, Iowa Test of Basic Skills, and NATE scores."

Kansas also ranks very high with the number of teachers who possess advanced degrees that enhance their educational knowledge, Palmer said.

"I believe the quality of education is very good," she said.

Concerning the business climate in Kansas, Palmer said Kansas ranks high, but there is still room for improvement. Pollina Corporate Real Estate -- a national corporate relocation firm -- listed Kansas as a Top 10 Pro-Business state in a report issued during this year's National Association of Manufacturers convention, she said. In November of 2004, The Pacific Research Institute rated Kansas No. 1 in the nation in terms of economic freedom, she added.

"I believe the economy in Kansas is improving and growing," she said. "State revenue is coming in above projection according to recent information. We must continue to work to support our businesses and to expand job opportunities for Kansas workers."

Palmer said she does not support the idea of raising taxes to increase state revenue -- especially after Kansas reported higher-than-expected state revenues last session -- but is rather a proponent for growing a recent slowing economy through adding businesses.

"I do not think raising taxes is the way to increase state revenue," she said. "If we continue to grow our economy, the state should have sufficient resources. I am concerned, however, with the trend in Topeka in recent years to pass the bill onto local property tax payers. This is an issue that must be addressed in the coming months."

"We need to boost our local economy. We need to provide a well-trained workforce for existing businesses and to attract new businesses to our community," she said.

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