Recently, Charlie Roth answered surveys from the Salina League of Women Voters and the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce. Below are his answers:

Political affiliation: Republican

Occupation: retired from business, currently serving in the Kansas House of Representatives

Work History: I owned and operated a small retail business in Salina for 36 years, Joseph P. Roth & Sons; 1968-2004

Education/degrees received: BA University of Kansas, sociology major

Most recent political and/or community experience/elected office(s) held: Current member Kansas House of Representatives, three terms, former Salina City Commissioner and Mayor; former chairman Salina Airport Authority; former campaign chairman Salina United Way

Community involvement: Former Campaign Chair United Way, Former Chairman Salina Airport Authority, former president Salina Rotary Club, former president Salina Country Club, Salina United Way Volunteer of the Year 2002, former member Asbury Hospital board, current member CHIP committee Salina Regional Health Foundation.

1. Why are you seeking this office?

I have been fortunate to grow up in Salina, own a business, raise a family and prosper in many ways. Public service is about giving back. I want to give back to the Salina community that which was so freely given to me.

2. What are your qualifications to serve?

Work on the City Commission, Airport Authority, chairman of the United Way campaign, six years in state government and thirty six years as a small business owner have given me the experience necessary to qualify for this position.

3. If elected to office, what do you hope to achieve?

I will continue to work to build consensus in the legislature for good public policy, whether it is across the aisle or within my own party.

4. If elected, my top three issues/positions I will advocate are:

Solving the KPERS dilemma

Establish a “rainy day fund”

Pass a balanced state budget without further cuts to important and needed services to Kansas citizens. I will continue to work to build consensus in the legislature for good public policy, whether it is across the aisle or within my own party.

5. There are approximately 12 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. What is the state government's role in addressing the issue of immigration?

Immigration policy is the responsibility of the Federal Government. While frustration with Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform is understandable, individual action by states will result in a meaningless and time wasting hodgepodge of legislation.

6. Federal stimulus funds were used in 2009-2010 and will be used in 2010-2011 to mitigate state special education aid cuts. How will we pay for these mandated programs in the future as the stimulus money disappears?

I was pleased to be a member of a bipartisan and bicameral coalition in the 2010 legislative session that passed a moderate and temporary revenue enhancement package. The first purpose of the revenue package, after six rounds of budget cuts, was to ensure a quality education for our kids (including special ed), safe streets in our neighborhoods, and the opportunity for our elderly citizens and those with disabilities to continue to live with dignity. The second purpose was to provide the necessary revenue to bridge the gap between federal stimulus funding and a growing Kansas economy. Because of our hard work in 2010, we should be able to pay for those programs as stimulus money disappears.

7. Kansas Public Employees Retirement System. The Pew Center on the States reported in early 2010 that in eight states more than one-third of the total pension liability was unfunded. Two of the states – Illinois and Kansas – had less than 60% of the necessary assets on hand. What changes do you advocate to address this unfunded liability?

I advocate increased contributions from employers and employees, changes in the statutory multiplier for future service, bond issues in lieu of employer contributions, or various combinations of the above.