Now that he’s retired from teaching school for 40 years, Humboldt’s Mike Bruner has decided to run for office.
On Wednesday, Bruner filed to run for the state senate. With the filing deadline on June 1, Bruner is the only candidate so far to file as a Democrat for the 12th District race. Republican incumbent Sen. Caryn Tyson, who is serving her second four-year term, is also reupping.
At age 68, Bruner is full of vim and vigor.
But let’s be honest, he’s over the hill — which, unfortunately, will make him feel right at home at the state capitol.
Two-thirds of our state legislators are baby boomers, born in the aftermath of World War II, compared to one-third of the state population.
As chairman of the Allen County Democrats, Bruner said he’s running because “I couldn’t find anyone else to.”
That’s a problem.
KANSAS legislators are charged with the incredible responsibilities of making laws and funding budgets. Besides the official 90-day legislative session, they are also required to sit on various committees typically held in Topeka. Their base pay, on average, is $18,450.
That commitment and compensation precludes most Kansans from running. Either you have to be independently wealthy or have a very understanding boss to serve in our legislature.Mike Bruner, Humboldt
“Either you have to be independently wealthy or have a very understanding boss to serve in our legislature,” Bruner said.
In a majority of states, legislators are paid a living wage, or close to it.
Ten states have full-time legislatures where average pay is $82,000. Such a calendar is especially handy in times like these.
After an eight-week hiatus due to the pandemic, Kansas legislators convened Thursday for a marathon 36-hour session to hastily pass ill thought-out measures that went overboard to punish Gov. Laura Kelly.
Those representing districts that have pretty much escaped the virus contend Kelly’s measures were overkill.
