Topic: Qualified admissions (college, university)
Interview of Christine Downey, August 2, 2019
Interviewed by Dale Goter
Former State Senator Christine Downey recalls her three terms in the Kansas Senate (1993-2004) during her 2019 oral history interview. With her background as a teacher, education issues were important to her as the era of school-funding litigation continued. She was involved in water-related policy making, in particular at the nexus of water quality and agricultural practices. She recalls her service in the Senate and on the Kansas Board of Regents first developing the policy and then implementing fundamental changes to the postsecondary education system. Ms. Downey discusses numerous instances of working across the aisle Show Moreto accomplish policy objectives that did not break on strict party lines. Show Less
Interview of Jack Wempe, September 28, 2021
Interviewed by Alan Conroy
Jack Wempe of Rice County gave a detailed interview about the decade of the 1990's he spent in the Kansas House of Representatives. He played pivotal roles in the passage of the 1992 school finance bill and legislation to consolidate governance in higher education. He worked with members of both parties to pass legislation important to rural communities as well as education. Wempe became interested in taxation and economic development. Wempe also comments on the shift in philosophy of the Republican party during his time in office and its move to a more conservative leadership. Show MoreAt the conclusion of his legislative service, Wempe was appointed to the Board of Regents where he became chair in 2003. Show Less
Interview of James Lowther, February 14, 2012
Interviewed by Dr. Loren Pennington
This series of interviews was done between between February 14 and June 5, 2012 by Dr. Loren Pennington, Professor Emeritus at Emporia State University. All fourteen of the cassette tapes and transcriptions were placed at the Kansas Historical Society. A family member asked the Kansas Oral History Project to post the legislative portions of the interview on this website because they are a complement to other interviews in the same period. KOHP readily complied and added tapes 7-14 to this website. Both audio and transcripts may be downloaded. Here is a brief description of the Show Morecontent of each:
Tape 7 - Lowther's work as a banker and his interest in banking regulations;
Tape 8 - Legislative issues, Washburn University, KPERS shortfalls, Lowther's service on Legislative Post Audit committee;
Tape 9 - Lowther's election, proposed closing of ESU, Washburn University, Governor Hayden;
Tape 10 - Severance tax, state hospital closings, KU Medical Center, State Treasurer Sally Thompson; [this tape has not been posted]
Tape 11 - Closing KNI, Governor Brownback, Republican moderates vs conservatives;
Tape 12 - Qualified Admissions to regent's schools, KPERS funding;
Tape 13 - Governors
Tape 14 - Lowther's career after leaving the legislature; RINO's vs Brownback
Copies of tapes provide by the Kansas State Historical Society Show Less