FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2012
Media Contact:
Stephanie Mullholland
785-338-1628

Jay Emler files for re-election to Kansas Senate

Jay Scott Emler filed today for re-election to the Kansas Senate. Senator Emler, a Republican, has represented the 35th District since 2001. Emler works for the Kansas National Guard and as an attorney in McPherson. He and his wife Lorraine operate a small family farm at their home in rural Lindsborg.

“It is a privilege and an honor to represent the citizens of the 35th District,” said Emler. “As Kansas emerges from this economic recession, there are many serious issues before the Legislature that will ultimately shape the future of our state. I am running for re-election because now, more than ever, we need a strong voice in the Senate who will stand up for rural jobs, our local schools and our quality of life.”

In December 2010, Emler was selected by his fellow senators to serve as Senate Majority Leader, earning the district a stronger voice in the legislative and decision-making process.

Emler said priorities include:

• Rural Jobs. Job opportunities in rural areas are particularly important, Emler said, as smaller communities work to recruit and retain their population base. Emler supported the Rural Opportunity Zone initiative last year, which is starting to attract new residents to counties that have experienced population losses. Recognizing the critical role that agriculture plays in our economy, Emler has worked alongside local producers to shape upcoming legislation on water usage so that Kansas farmers and ranchers will have the resources they need to effectively operate their businesses.
• Local Schools. Smaller schools are able to offer smaller class sizes and more personalized instruction, said Emler, which often leads to better outcomes for students. He said the Legislature needs to take reasonable steps to ensure communities have the ability to keep their local schools open. “Our needs may be different in rural schools, but they are very much as important as the needs of urban schools,” said Emler.
• Fiscal Responsibility. As former chair of the Senate budget committee, Emler has worked hands-on to balance the state budget. As Majority Leader, he continues to serve on the budget committee, which this past year was able to fill a $500 million shortfall and leave the state with a $72 million ending balance without increasing taxes. Emler said balancing the budget has to be done carefully in difficult economic times so that spending cuts can be made without harming essential services, such as programs for seniors and the disabled. Emler worked with the Governor this year to restore dollars in the 2013 budget that will keep the McPherson SRS office open.
• Disaster Preparedness. Knowing the challenges many Kansas communities – including Chapman and Greensburg – have faced in the wake of natural disasters, Emler is working to establish a disaster aid fund for the state. “Federal disaster aid dollars are drying up,” said Emler. “We need to make sure the state has readily-available resources so that when a tornado or flooding hits one of our local communities, Kansans can count on getting the National Guard support and recovery resources they need.”

Emler received his bachelor’s degree from Bethany College in Lindsborg, where he earned a teaching certificate. He later graduated from law school at the University of Denver, and from the Naval Postgraduate School where he earned a master’s degree in Homeland Security and Defense. Emler also attended Hutchinson Community College where he earned Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.

Emler has volunteered with the American Red Cross, McPherson County March of Dimes, Lindsborg Community Hospital, and as administrator of the Lindsborg Volunteer Ambulance Corps. He and Lorraine belong to Bethany Lutheran Church.