Following please find the text of an interview given by Candidate for Kansas Governor Joan Wagnon to the Wichita NOW Times newsletter for January of 1994, in which she states: "Currently, there is no protection for gays and lesbians on the basis of sexual orientation. I would support these changes." Donations of time and money may be forwarded to: Wagnon for Governor P.O. Box 191 Topeka, KS 66601-0191 913-357-6409 ***************************************************** Wagnon: Finney not last woman governor By Douglas Johnston Wichita NOW Times January 1994 Why do you want to become governor? "I didn't always want to be governor. What woman over 35 even knew a successful woman politician when she was growing up, much less had a woman governor as a role model? I was past 40 when I realized opportunity existed for women in the political arena." "When I became Executive Director of the Topeka YWCA in 1977, I was in charge of advocacy for an organization working to empower women and persons of color. Our focus was on domestic violence and providing legal protection for abused women. After several attempts at the state capitol to create the Protection from Abuse Act, I learned that it would be easier to change laws protecting women if women were voting on these issues." "One particular hearing before the all-male, white Judiciary Committee of the Kansas Senate convinced me that nothing would change until women sat on that committee! (When I was elected in 1982, I asked to be assigned to that committee.) The Anita Hill hearings some ten years later were confirmation that I was correct." What is the focus of your campaign? What issues will you emphasize? "There is a leadership crisis in Kansas' state government. Our first woman governor has failed. Most voters in both parties are questioning her ability and judgment. Women openly express fears that she has "ruined the chances for women in the future." Could you explain your positions on some issues? "A comprehensive strategy will have an impact on crime. I strongly support community corrections, boot camps, and mandatory sentences for violent crimes such as the "hard 40" for murder." "My plan will emphasize community policing, less tolerance for violent offenses committed by juveniles, stricter gun control, tougher penalties (including expulsion) for guns in schools, high intensity supervision for probation/parolees, lowering confidentiality requirements for juvenile offenders and tracking sex offenders when they are released." "I worked to redesign the Kan-Work program, a Kansas version of welfare reform, to focus the program more on empowerment strategies, such as training welfare women to get higher paying jobs." "I worked to increase the collections of child support to custodial parents who, in Kansas are 90% female. Collections have increased dramatically since our state began its work. I also serve on the Kansas Child Support Guidelines Committee which works to maintain a level of support that is consistent with the costs of raising children." "I am a long-standing proponent of pay equity, because the best way to combat poverty is with jobs that pay good wages." "I favor action on health care because we cannot wait to control rapidly escalating costs. Some strategies I support include Community rating of health insurance Reviewing scope of practice of nurses, particularly advanced registered nurses and other allied health care providers to expand services to rural areas. Review of health care costs and establishment of health budget; Providing greater primary care and preventive services, such as immunizations #through school-based health clinics." What are your views on individuals' rights? "I would support any measure that would ensure full civil rights for Kansans. I have typically supported changes in the Kansas Civil Rights Act to provide for greater protection in areas of public housing and employment, by increasing the list of protected classes. Currently, no protection exists for gays and lesbians on the basis of sexual orientation; I would support these changes." "Funding for enforcement of civil rights laws is a problem in Kansas. I would recommend more resources for this vital agency." "I have consistently introduced and fought for passage of gender balance legislation which would require a balance with respect to race and gender on all gubernatorial appointments." What are your best qualities? "I am a problem solver that can work in a non-partisan environment. During my years as Chair of the Taxation Committee of the Kansas House, Kansas reduced the reliance on property taxes as a method of funding schools by 46% and replaced the lost revenue with a more progressive income tax as a well as an increased sales tax with an expanded, more elastic base." "Certain tax incentives for women and families have been included in the Kansas tax code as a result of my efforts: increased state child care income tax credits, tax credits for businesses sponsoring child care centers, extra income tax exemptions for single parents, additional homestead property tax relief for elderly and parents of dependent children, and increases of the sales tax refund on food purchases for low income families. "