Cindy's Legislative Priorities

I grew up in a military family and learned the importance of public service at a young age. I have now lived in Shawnee for more than 45 years, and I understand what matters to the people I represent.

  • We need to fund our public schools for all our students and invest in infrastructure to keep our economy strong.
  • Kansans want and deserve access to health care.
  • We must do all we can to reduce suicide in our communities. I will continue working to make sure Kansas invests in mental health.
  • Government should be open and responsive to the people it serves. I will continue to support legislation that makes our work more transparent to the public.

With nearly a decade of legislative experience, I know how to find solutions, navigate the legislative process, work across party lines, and get things done.

~ Cindy Neighbor

Education

I have been a public school advocate for more than 35 years, serving on my local PTA, the Shawnee Mission School Board and voting for adequate and equitable funding in the legislature. We must fully fund public education and I will always be an advocate for our teachers and students in Topeka.

Beyond K-12 education, we must support postsecondary education in Kansans. I will work to make college and technical training more affordable and accessible, delivering the educated workforce our state needs to succeed in today’s economy.

Healthcare

We need to finally expand Medicaid coverage. Kansas is one of only ten states that has not done so.

Every compromise proposal since 2012 has been blocked or vetoed by conservative leadership. Their opposition continues despite clear evidence from other states that expansion improves access to care, strengthens hospitals, and leads to better health outcomes.

Expanding Medicaid would help to tens of thousands of families who currently lack access to affordable health care. Kansas should not continue to fall behind when the benefits are clear.

As a former member of the Johnson County Mental Health Board, I am deeply concerned about rising suicide rates, especially among young people. I’m proud to have supported efforts to bring the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to Kansas, and I will continue to advocate for stronger investment in mental health services in our communities.

Economy

Kansas’ economy was devastated by the misguided policies of the Brownback administration. I’m proud to have worked with Governor Kelly to reverse the tax cuts, close the “bank of KDOT,” and get Kansas back on track. We were able to axe the food sales tax burdening families across the state. Because of the positive changes we’ve made in our state, thousands of new jobs have been created and more are heading to the area. We continued our work this year making tax changes to benefit families. Read more about the new tax policies here.

Choice

Kansas voters clearly rejected a 2022 constitutional amendment that would have limited abortion rights. Despite the voters’ strong rejection, efforts to restrict access have continued in the Legislature—and show no sign of slowing.

I have opposed—and will continue to fight—measures that restrict women’s rights or put politicians between patients and their doctors.

We should not politicize health care or the legal system. Kansas moves forward when we focus on practical solutions, not ideological extremes that divide us.

Kansans will vote again this November on a constitutional amendment. This one would change how new members of the Kansas Supreme Court are selected.

Conservative legislative leadership has backed the proposal to replace the merit-based system in place since 1958 with partisan elections for new justices. That change could have far-reaching effects on Kansans’ rights and the direction of state law.

This is a significant shift in how our courts operate. Voters should understand what’s at stake before casting a ballot.