Chatting w/ David Buehler | Matcha Minutes #24

Rep. David Buehler returns to Matcha Minutes for his second appearance. Dave represents Kansas House District 40, is a retired U.S. Navy officer, and chairs the House Social Services Budget Committee. Dave explains why he thinks the real work of the Legislature happens in committees and in the off-season. He talks about pushing state agencies to act on the budget and about the freshman-year vote that taught him to stay in the game. He also covers why working across the aisle matters more than ever. The conversation covers the gap between budget development and agency execution, property tax reform and HB 2043, and Leavenworth County's lopsided residential tax burden. We also dig into the proposed Tonganoxie data center and SB 98, Flock cameras and the Fourth Amendment, and Kansas's aging population. Catch us on the next episode of Matcha Minutes. 00:00 Intro & Meet Rep. David Buehler 00:46 What's Changed: Chairing Social Services Budget 04:05 Frustrations & Holding Agencies Accountable 05:24 Freshman Lessons: Learning the Process 08:30 Working Across the Aisle 11:10 Polarization & Social Media 13:35 The Most Controversial Votes 17:36 Budget Development vs. Agency Execution 21:33 Property Tax Reform & HB 2043 27:32 State Spending Cuts & Medicaid Caseloads 29:18 Economic Development & Data Centers 39:03 Flock Cameras, Privacy & the Fourth Amendment 45:37 Rapid Response Questions 52:11 A Message to District 40 Voters 53:10 Closing Remarks