By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas State Senate District 34 Republican candidate Dr. Mark Steffen believes that the key to government accomplishing what it needs to is continuing to have a growing economy.
"It's very, very clear that the states that thrive economically are the ones with small government, low taxes and less bureaucracy," Steffen said. "In spite of Kansas being such a fine, Republican state, we fail to accomplish that."
Steffen is convinced that there is more that can be done to reduce the size of state government.
"The size of our government is huge, our taxes are inordinate, particularly per capita," Steffen said. "We need to work on cleaning up our mess, so to speak and getting down to an efficient machine. When you have a strong economy, it lifts everybody."
Steffen intends to hold to his convictions and expect that to carry the day.
"I make up my mind, I assimilate the data and I get it done," Steffen said. "I'm a private sector guy who has built businesses. I'm not about the process. I'm going to sit down, figure out what's going to be best and I'm going to know what to do quick. That's the way I've lived my life. That's what you've got to do in the operating rooms, it's what you've got to do on the farms. It's what you've got to do in the oil field."
Steffen is running against Democrat Shanna Henry in November for the seat formerly occupied by Ed Berger. Steffen won over Berger in the August primary.