Rep. Donohoe worked diligently during the 2009 legislative session to preserve funding for critical state obligations and eliminate unnecessary expenses through many areas of the state budget. Unfortunately, the budget didn’t do enough to solve the problems Kansas faces in its treasury, and it fell far short of real fiscal prudence and discipline that our taxpayers deserve and our state desperately needs. Track the Kansas Budget Crisis >>

Excessive spending – not our revenue stream – put the state in this rut. State General Fund spending increased 48 percent from 2004 to 2008, while population growth during that same time averaged less than one-half of 1 percent per year. It has been estimated that the Fiscal Year 2011 budget is starting out more than $500 million in the red. In the next legislative session, Rep. Donohoe will favor trimming expenses rather than raising taxes.

Check out the projections Rep. Donohoe made last year about the FY 2009 and 2010 budget. He warns of a similar challenge for Fiscal Year 2011.View the 2009 legislative session wrap-up >>

Reversing the tide of staggering debt in Kansas
As Kansas faces a staggering debt of nearly $4 billion, Rep. Donohoe is again championing the cause of responsible and disciplined budgeting.

Learn about Kansas’ dismal economy >>

Learn about Kansas’ declining state revenues >>

Learn about the $2 billion in state funds that haven’t been used >>

Rep. Donohoe is working hard to limit the growth of government and the rise of excessive property taxes and levies. Hard-working families fear being taxed out of their homes; Owen will fight for legislation and policies that let you keep more of what you earn. He is helping small businesses thrive in Kansas, creating a greater revenue-producing economy that will help reduce taxes. See updates on tax relief
from the latest session.

Bruce Breslow is the owner of a local family business, who is concerned with tax relief.

Property rights

Rep. Donohoe is a member of the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee and is involved in many issues affecting local residents and businesses. Several property & annexation issues are being debated in the current legislative session, and Owen is rightly concerned about the rights of property owners and taxpayers. He is working to ensure ballot protection for property owners in cases of unilateral annexation. In addition, Eminent domain threatens generations of families and businesses in our district. Government should not have the right to seize other people's property to lure favored developers.

Quality education

Rep. Donohoe is helping to ensure that our students get the classroom attention they deserve, and hard-working teachers are rewarded. At-risk students need to have new opportunities to excel. Teachers, parents and taxpayers should have more visibility and local control over how tax dollars are being spent. See updates on Education from the latest session.

Rep. Donohoe visits with a supporter at a local event.

Support for life and ethical stem-cell research

Rep. Donohoe supports legislation protecting life and providing information and counseling for expectant mothers. He supported recent abortion counseling legislation that gives mothers considering abortion an opportunity to see a sonogram of her baby and have access to counseling assistance.

Rep. Donohoe also supports ethical stem-cell research with adult (not embryonic) stem cells. As a kidney transplant recipient himself, Owen understands the importance of lifesaving cures and treatments. He also knows the risks and rewards of medical research, and that we cannot allow research to come at the expense of human life. Rep. Donohoe is pro-life and against human cloning/SCNT (somatic cell nuclear transfer).

Lawful treatment of illegal immigrants

By treating people with dignity and respect, we show compassion and understanding. But entering America illegally and breaking the law encourages disrespect for our laws. Rep. Donohoe opposes in-state tuition for illegal immigrants and favors increased U.S. border security.

Learn more about Rep. Donohoe's committee work.

Please sign up for email updates for more information.