Friday, November 03, 2006

Ty Masterson has plans to continue representing the 99th District of the
Kansas House of Representatives. And the Republican incumbent intends to
keep taxes down. "Between me and my opponent, he's a tax-and-spend guy, I'm
a tax-cutter and responsible budget guy. I'm pro-life and he's pro-choice.
He's pro-gambling and I'm anti-gambling," he said. Masterson, 37, who is
married with six children, is the founder and chief executive of Masterbuilt
Homes Inc. and founder and chief executive of Masterson & Associates Inc., a
real estate investment company. Last year, Republican committee members of
the 99th District selected Masterson to fill a vacancy left by Todd
Novascone, who resigned to serve as chief of staff for Rep. Jerry Moran,
R-Hays. Since then, Masterson said, he has learned new skills in Topeka. He
also serves on the Commerce and Labor Committee. "I felt purpose up there,"
he said. "I felt I was able to make a difference. And I have a good
relationship on both sides of the aisle." Masterson said he has a
responsibility to Kansas taxpayers to keep an eye on the education budget.
"I want to see what happens with the hundreds of millions we have already
pumped into the budget." He said he favors budget cuts, especially if the
revenue isn't coming in. "There is a reason we don't pay houses off with
every disposable dollar," he said. He supports a sales tax holiday for
back-to-school shopping and opposes letting illegal immigrants obtain
drivers licenses.

Masterson said he would be in favor of enacting tougher penalties for
violent crimes and repeat sex offenders.

He would support a Taxpayer Protection Act to make it more difficult to
raise property, sales, income and all other taxes on Kansas families.

And, Masterson said, he would be in favor of passing a constitutional
amendment protecting private property owners from eminent domain abuse.