Kansas governor hopefuls debate tuition, stem cell research, property rights

Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Republican Jim Barnett argued about higher education costs, stem cell research and property rights in a gubernatorial debate Wednesday.

Sebelius promised to try to slow the increase in higher education costs if she is elected to a second four-year term Nov. 7, saying the state increased spending on higher education by $112 million during her first term.

"I am so optimistic in the state's possibilities and the incredible ingenuity of our people and where we have come in the last four years," she said. "I guess that's the biggest difference: an optimistic outlook versus kind of a gloom-and-doom theory."

Barnett blamed Sebelius for rising tuition costs at Kansas universities, saying the state hasn't sufficiently funded the schools because the economy hasn't grown enough.

In-state tuition rates at state universities have increased every year since 1999, doubling at the University of Kansas during that period, and regents have complained about a lack of state funding. Fifteen years ago, state funds covered nearly half the universities' operating costs; the figure now is 29 percent.

"This is what happens when we as an economy in this state continue to lag behind our neighbors and the entire nation," Barnett said.

The candidates fielded questions from about 200 audience members. The debate was the candidates' third, and another one is planned this month. It was sponsored by Kansas City-area chambers of commerce and was not televised.

The candidates also faced questions on stem cell research and whether, if they were in Missouri, they would vote for an initiative that would protect federally allowed stem cell research, including that involving embryonic stem cells.

Barnett said he wouldn't, arguing the Missouri proposal isn't clear about what constitutes human cloning.

Sebelius said that Kansans agree reproductive cloning of humans should be banned, but that she would support the Missouri proposal.

The candidates also disagreed about how far the state should go to prevent local governments from taking private property for economic development.

The Legislature this year restricted local governments' ability to take private property. After July 1, 2007, such actions must be legislator-approved.

Though she signed the bill, Sebelius expressed misgivings, saying the state Senate has been relegated to being a "planning commission."

Barnett said that property rights should be protected with a state constitutional amendment and that he suspects the law will "continue to be revisited."

On the Net:

Sebelius campaign: http://www.ksgovernor.com

Barnett campaign: http://www.barnettforgovernor.com