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Lynn Jenkins' Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Key

Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
Additional Information: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position, from their answers or Vote Smart's research.
Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Lynn Jenkins has refused to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2016 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2016.

  • Rated 0% by NARAL Pro-Choice America (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by National Right to Life Committee (votesmart.org)
  • Signed a letter stating "Knowingly subjecting our innocent unborn children to these brutal procedures in the womb, particularly when they have developed to the point that they can feel excruciating pain, belies everything America is or was ever called to be." (black.house.gov)
  • Signed a pledge stating "I will: ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rate for individuals and business; and TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates." (atr.org)
  • "When I ran for Congress I made a pledge to the people of Kansas that I would not vote to raise their taxes. Today, I will honor that pledge, and vote for the tax bill before us. Because a no vote on this measure is a vote to raise taxes on every American taxpayer: every working parent, every small business person, every retiree, everyone." (www.youtube.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Americans and economists alike believe that cutting government spending will encourage economic growth and job creation, and I will continue to stand up for hardworking American taxpayers by opposing wasteful and irresponsible government spending." (lynnjenkins.house.gov)
  • "In Congress, I will work my hardest to reduce spending and slow the growth of a bloated federal bureaucracy. One of the most frustrating things I've seen Democrats and Republican do over the past decade is spend your hard-earned tax dollars on frivolous and wasteful projects." (votesmart.org)
  • "As the Ways and Means Committee works through tax reform, a variety of options are being considered. […] One approach is the Fair Tax, of which I am a co-sponsor." (lynnjenkins.house.gov)
  • "I think it is safe to say that the current tax code is broken and the hardworking families of Kansas deserve better. A pro-growth tax system should be simple, efficient, and fair. A simple tax code is essential to promoting economic efficiency and reducing the interference of taxes with a families’ everyday decision making." (lynnjenkins.house.gov)
  • "Education is not one-size-fits-all, and I firmly believe that the people best equipped to make decisions about a child’s education are the parents, teachers, and administrators at a local level. As a parent of two children being educated in Kansas public schools, I have great faith in Kansas’ education system, and have worked hard my entire career to strengthen it." (lynnjenkins.house.gov)
  • "Even though many of the goals of No Child Left Behind are admirable, I am concerned that politicians in Washington do not best represent the needs of children in Chanute, Iola or Atchison. When No Child Left Behind is reauthorized, we need to reform the program so changes can be made at the state and local level by teachers and leaders who best know the local students and schools." (votesmart.org)
  • "It’s really this simple… More American energy means more American jobs. With millions of hardworking Americans out of work, gas prices skyrocketing, and China out-competing the United States for access to Canada’s oil supply, we need the Keystone XL Pipeline. It is time to put hardworking American families ahead of politics and focus on real solutions." (lynnjenkins.house.gov)
  • Voted in favor of S.1 "A Bill to Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by Environment America (votesmart.org)
  • "Instead of focusing only on drilling or alternative energy, we need to bring them all to the table in an 'all of the above' approach. That includes wind, solar, nuclear, clean coal, and expanded domestic drilling and oil exploration." (votesmart.org)
  • "The time for real action and bold solutions in Washington has come. We need to vigorously pursue each of these options as well as alternative solutions such as wind energy and biofuels that can increase our domestic production and bring new jobs to our rural communities." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by Environment America (votesmart.org)
  • "Overbearing regulation from the federal government […] are making job creation, investment, expansion, or growth too complex and too costly." (votesmart.org)
  • "What Republicans are opposed to is this administration using the EPA to go around the federal government and implement policies. We cannot let this administration bypass the democratic process." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 93% by National Rifle Association (votesmart.org)
  • "Growing up in rural Kansas, I've known from a young age that as Americans, we cherish our right to keep and bear arms. I am opposed to any legislation that unnecessarily infringes on this Constitutional right. That is why I am a supporter of numerous pieces of legislation that would strengthen second amendment rights in our National Parks, across state lines, and in the District of Columbia." (lynnjenkins.house.gov)
  • "I will be voting in support of H.R. 2, voting to repeal this government takeover of our health care system, just as I promised my constituents I would.'' (votesmart.org)
  • "While I support reforms that would bring down costs for families and address the issue of pre-existing conditions, I could not support the health care reform signed into law by President Obama that cuts Medicare, raises taxes, and will result in higher premiums for the American people." (lynnjenkins.house.gov)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 596 "Repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Health Care-Related Provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (votesmart.org)
  • "In order to stop the flow of illegal immigrants, we must strengthen our borders through increasing border agents, building additional fences, and utilizing technology to monitor our borders. It needs to be more difficult for illegal immigrants to obtain and use false identification documents." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R.5759 "Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act of 2014" (votesmart.org)
  • Hutch News "Jenkins also said she opposes gay marriage. She added, 'It's a states' rights issue, and Kansas spoke a few years ago.' Kansas voters approved an amendment to the state Constitution in 2005 to ban same-sex marriage." (votesmart.org)
  • Signed a letter stating "We are writing to express our great concern and disapproval over your recent announcement to no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Your decision casts doubt on the trust the American people place in our government as a whole, and in the authority of the Constitution specifically." (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Medicare and Social Security are two of the most important social contracts our government has with the American people. The dismantling or bankruptcy of this social safety net would be devastating." (votesmart.org)
  • "While the program is currently financially solvent, if reforms are not made for future generations, there will be no Social Security for our children and grandchildren." (votesmart.org)
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning abortion.

a) Abortions should always be illegal.
b) Abortions should always be legally available.
c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
X d) Abortions should be legal when pregnancy results from incest, rape or the life of the woman is endangered.
X e) Abortions should be limited by waiting periods and notification requirements as decided by each state government.
X f) Prohibit the dilation and extraction procedure, also known as "partial-birth" abortion.
X g) Support "buffer zones" at abortion clinics by requiring demonstrators to remain a certain distance from doorways and driveways.
X h) Prohibit public funding for abortions and organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
X i) Prohibit abortion clinics from profiting from the sale of fetal tissue.
j) Other

State Budget: Indicate the funding levels you will support for the following general categories.State Taxes: Indicate the tax levels you will support.

Slightly Increase Funding a) Education (Higher)
Slightly Increase Funding b) Education (K-12)
Maintain Funding Status c) Environment
Maintain Funding Status d) Health care
Slightly Increase Funding e) Law enforcement
Maintain Funding Status f) Transportation and Highway infrastructure
Maintain Funding Status g) Welfare
h) Other
Maintain Status a) Alcohol taxes
Slightly Decrease b) Capital gains taxes
Maintain Status c) Cigarette taxes
Slightly Decrease d) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status e) Gasoline taxes
Slightly Decrease f) Income taxes (incomes below $75,000)
Slightly Decrease g) Income taxes (incomes above $75,000)
Maintain Status h) Inheritance taxes
Greatly Decrease i) Property taxes
Maintain Status j) Sales taxes
Greatly Decrease k) Vehicle taxes
l) Other
Yes m) Should Internet sales be taxed?
No n) Do you support a flat tax structure for state income taxes?
Yes o) Would you support returning any operating surplus to Kansas taxpayers?
Undecided p) Would you support placing any operating surplus into a "rainy day" fund?
No q) Do you support allocating a portion of the tobacco settlement to fund annual budget shortfalls?
Undecided r) Do you support allocating a portion of the tobacco settlement to create a school preparatory program for young children?
Yes s) Do you support expanding the motor fuel tax to include gas and diesel fuel sold on Kansas Indian reservations?
t) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) to address crime.

X a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
X b) Support contracting with private sector firms to build and/or manage state prisons.
X c) End parole for repeat violent offenders.
X d) Support the use of the death penalty in Kansas.
e) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
X f) Inform communities when a convicted sex offender moves into the community.
X g) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
h) Decriminalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
i) Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
X j) Support .08 blood alcohol content limit defining drunk driving.
X k) Prosecute as adults, youths accused of a felony.
l) Increase penalties for crimes committed on school grounds.
m) Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, or disability be prosecuted as hate crimes.
X n) Support programs that provide job training and placement services for at-risk youth.
X o) Ban the use of racial profiling by law enforcement officers.
p) Support reducing the number of prisoners in overcrowded state prisons by granting early release to non-violent offenders.
q) Allow law enforcement officers to stop automobile drivers for not wearing seat belts.
r) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.

X a) Increase state funds for professional development of public school teachers and administrators.
X b) Encourage private or corporate investment in public school programs.
c) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any participating school (public, private, religious).
X d) Support charter schools where teachers and professionals receive authorization and funding to establish new schools.
X e) Increase state funds for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
f) Increase state funds for hiring additional teachers.
g) Endorse teacher-led voluntary prayer in public schools.
h) Support posting the Ten Commandments in public schools.
i) Require public schools to administer high school exit exams.
X j) Support national standards and testing of public school students.
k) Support teacher testing and reward teachers with merit pay.
l) Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
m) Increase state university tuition to fund financial aid programs.
n) Provide state funds to offer all-day kindergarten.
o) Other
p) Do you support requiring that evolution be taught in Kansas public school science classes?

Employment: Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning employment.Affirmative Action: Which of the following state agencies should take race and sex into account when making employment decisions?

a) Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding, or relocating businesses.
X b) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector to encourage investment and economic expansion.
X c) Support limits on cash damages in lawsuits against businesses and professionals for product liability or malpractice.
X d) Increase funding for state job-training programs that re-train displaced workers or teach skills needed in today's job market.
e) Increase the state minimum wage.
f) Provide tax credits to individuals investing in small businesses unable to obtain conventional loans.
g) Other
No a) College and university admissions
No b) Public employment
No c) State contracting
d) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.

X a) Encourage further development and use of alternative fuels to reduce pollution.
X b) Support "self-audit" legislation which creates incentives for industries to audit themselves and clean up pollution.
X c) Require a cost/benefit analysis to determine the economic impact of proposed environmental regulations before they are implemented.
X d) Require states to fully compensate citizens when environmental regulations limit uses on privately owned land.
e) Support funding for recycling programs in Kansas.
X f) Request added flexibility from the federal government in enforcing and funding federal environmental regulations.
g) Suspend participation in un-funded, federally-mandated environmental protection legislation.
h) Restructure the electric utility industry to allow consumers to choose their power companies.
i) Prohibit grazing of agricultural animals within Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.
j) Require that privately owned lakes and rivers meet EPA Clean Water standards.
k) Other
No l) Should state environmental regulations be stricter than federal law?

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding government reform.c) Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative candidates?

No a) Do you support the current limit on terms for Kansas Governors?
No b) Do you support limiting the number of terms for Kansas State Senators and Representatives?
Yes a) Individual
Yes b) PAC
Yes c) Corporate
No d) Political Parties
Yes d) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
Yes e) Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?
No f) Do you support partial funding from state taxes for state level political campaigns?
No g) Do you support voting on-line?
Undecided h) Do you support on-line voter registration?
i) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues.

X a) Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting.
b) Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
c) Ease state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
d) Repeal state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
e) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
f) Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns.
X g) Require background checks of gun buyers at gun shows.
h) Require a license for gun possession.
i) Allow retired law enforcement officers with more than twenty years of service to carry concealed guns without a license.
j) Require motorists to lock up handguns within the vehicle while driving on streets.
k) Require guns seized by the state to be destroyed instead of re-sold.
l) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health issues.

X a) Provide tax incentives to small businesses that provide health care to their employees.
X b) Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms, or state funded care where necessary.
c) Transfer more existing Medicaid recipients into managed care programs.
X d) Use state funds to continue some Medicaid coverage for legal immigrants.
X e) Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
X f) Support a patient's right to sue his or her HMO.
X g) Support a patient's right to appeal to an administrative board of specialists when services are denied.
X h) Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
X i) Allow parents to leave unwanted newborn infants at Kansas hospitals, fire stations, and health departments without facing criminal charges.
j) Provide tax incentives to blood and organ donors.
X k) Require health insurance to cover mental health treatment as they do other health issues.
l) Other

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding social issues.

X a) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for their employees.
X b) Increase state funds to provide child care for children in low-income working families.
X c) Deny or suspend state-issued permits and licenses to parents who are delinquent in paying court-ordered child support.
X d) Increase state funding for Head Start in order to serve additional children and/or increase services from a half to a full day.
e) Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
f) Support state funding of programs for at-risk youth such as guaranteed college loans, and job training and placement.
g) Require single-family homes, duplexes, and triplexes built or renovated with public money to be "handicap-accessible."
h) Allow adult care facilities access to job applicants' non-conviction and juvenile records.
i) Other
No j) Should physician-assisted suicide be legally available in Kansas?
Yes k) Should Kansas include sexual orientation in its anti-discrimination laws?
No l) Should Kansas recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
Yes m) Should Kansas restrict marriage to a relationship only between a man and a woman?

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding welfare.

X a) Maintain current time limits on welfare benefits.
X b) Maintain the requirement that able-bodied recipients work in order to receive benefits.
X c) Increase employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
d) Provide tax incentives to businesses that hire welfare recipients.
e) Provide child care for welfare recipients who work.
f) Increase access to public transportation for welfare recipients who work.
g) Allow welfare recipients to remain eligible for benefits while saving money for education, starting a business, or buying a home.
h) Limit benefits given to recipients if they have additional children while on welfare.
i) Eliminate government-funded welfare programs.
j) Redirect welfare funding to faith-based and community-based private organizations.
k) Use federal TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) funds to expand state services to include the working poor.
l) Other
One priority would be to reduce property taxes. Kansans pay entirely too much tax on our business equipment & machinery, on our vehicles and on our homes. A second priority would be to increase support for our schools and universities. Kansas kids deserve a quality education. If we focus on expanding our tax base, these priorities, and others, can be accomplished.

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