Kansas Helen Podcast

Taylor Moreland for Kansas House District 7 , is running to represent parts of Labette County including Parsons and Neosho County including parts of Chanute.

Moreland closes the conversation by discussing the importance of more everyday people stepping up to run for office, emphasizing that candidates who care about their communities and are willing to do the work are needed in government. The conversation highlights that there is still time for additional candidates to enter the race and that support systems exist to help people run, including political parties and other organizations.

She expresses openness to continuing the conversation as the election approaches, with plans to follow up later in the year to reflect on the campaign and how her perspective may evolve over time.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas House District 7.

You can now also watch on Kansas Helen YouTube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify

Taylor Moreland for Kansas House District 7 , is running to represent parts of Labette County including Parsons and Neosho County including parts of Chanute.

Moreland discusses her firsthand experience working in the foster care system and the challenges faced by children, staff, and caregivers. She describes situations where youth engage in serious violence and the difficulty of balancing accountability with avoiding long-term harm from incarceration, emphasizing that consequences should exist but must be paired with support and rehabilitation.

She raises concerns about systemic failures, including what she describes as the foster care to prison pipeline, where decisions made by agencies can lead to worsening outcomes for children. She shares an example of a placement decision that ignored warning signs and resulted in a tragic outcome, highlighting what she sees as a lack of attention to individual circumstances in favor of meeting system benchmarks.

Moreland criticizes decision-making by agencies and contractors, arguing that those closest to the child, including foster parents and frontline workers, often have the most accurate understanding of what is needed. She also speaks about fear of retaliation within the system when raising concerns, including potential investigations or loss of placements, and emphasizes that advocating for children should not come with professional risk.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas House District 7.

You can now also watch on Kansas Helen YouTube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify

Taylor Moreland for Kansas House District 7 , is running to represent parts of Labette County including Parsons and Neosho County including parts of Chanute.

Moreland argues that private prisons should not exist, pointing to concerns about lack of oversight, poor conditions, and profit-driven systems that do not prioritize rehabilitation. She describes private prisons as creating opportunities for corruption and failing to meet appropriate standards.

She also questions the use of taxpayer dollars to incarcerate nonviolent offenders, particularly for low-level offenses like marijuana possession. Moreland suggests that resources would be better spent on monitoring and managing violent offenders, including the use of tools like GPS tracking both before and after trial. She emphasizes the need to reconsider how different types of crimes are handled, arguing that punishment should reflect intent and severity.

Moreland supports consequences for criminal behavior but stresses that the system should focus more on rehabilitation rather than long-term incarceration, especially for nonviolent and lower-level offenses. She frames this approach as both more effective and a better use of public resources.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas House District 7.

You can now also watch on Kansas Helen YouTube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify

Taylor Moreland for Kansas House District 7 , is running to represent parts of Labette County including Parsons and Neosho County including parts of Chanute.

Moreland argues that legislation focused on bathroom access is a distraction from more pressing issues facing communities. She emphasizes that decisions about restroom access should be left to businesses or addressed through practical solutions like gender-neutral or family restrooms.

She frames the issue as an example of government overreach driven by personal beliefs, stating that lawmakers should not be spending time on policies that do not address core needs. Moreland instead points to priorities she believes government should focus on, including education, food access, basic needs, infrastructure, transportation, and healthcare, arguing that these areas have a more direct impact on people’s lives.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas House District 7.

You can now also watch on Kansas Helen YouTube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify

Taylor Moreland for Kansas House District 7 , is running to represent parts of Labette County including Parsons and Neosho County including parts of Chanute.

Moreland argues that decisions around reproductive healthcare are too often driven by personal opinions and religious beliefs rather than individual rights. She emphasizes that government should not be involved in personal medical decisions and frames the issue as one of personal freedom and autonomy.

She states that banning abortion does not stop it from happening, but instead removes access to safe options. Moreland raises concerns about real-world situations, including cases involving minors who are victims of sexual assault, and questions policies that would force children to carry pregnancies. She also highlights medical realities such as miscarriages that require procedures like D&C, stressing the need for policies to account for those situations.

Moreland connects the issue to broader systems like foster care, noting that forcing births without adequate support can lead to more children entering already strained systems. She emphasizes the importance of considering outcomes for both the mother and child, and concludes that these decisions should ultimately be left to individuals rather than government control.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas House District 7.

You can now also watch on Kansas Helen YouTube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify

Taylor Moreland for Kansas House District 7 , is running to represent parts of Labette County including Parsons and Neosho County including parts of Chanute.

Moreland emphasizes the importance of strong funding for public education, describing it as one of the most critical areas for state and federal investment. She highlights the role schools play as the primary education system for most children and argues they should be prioritized accordingly.

She focuses heavily on the importance of special education services, including IEPs, noting that many of the children she works with in the foster care system rely on that additional support to succeed. She explains that trauma, learning disabilities, and conditions like ADHD can all impact a child’s ability to learn, and without proper resources, those students are at risk of being left behind. Moreland argues that removing or reducing special education funding would harm students and limit their ability to develop and succeed.

She also states that these types of supports are essential across all education settings, including private schools, and emphasizes that funding and access to special education resources should be protected and strengthened.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas House District 7. You can now also watch on Kansas Helen YouTube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify

Taylor Moreland for Kansas House District 7 , is running to represent parts of Labette County including Parsons and Neosho County including parts of Chanute.

Moreland supports universal pre-K and expanding access to childcare, emphasizing that financial barriers should never prevent children from receiving early education. She argues that children should not be impacted by their family’s income and that early learning opportunities are critical to development.

She also discusses the need for stronger childcare standards, including stricter regulations and better pay for workers, noting that gaps in oversight and underfunding can contribute to unsafe or harmful situations. Drawing from her work in the foster care system, she highlights how lack of early support and stable care can impact children’s emotional development, leading to long-term challenges. Moreland emphasizes the importance of preschool in building social and emotional skills and supports making it more widely accessible.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas House District 7. You can now also watch on Kansas Helen YouTube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify

Taylor Moreland for Kansas House District 7 , is running to represent parts of Labette County including Parsons and Neosho County including parts of Chanute.

Moreland criticizes political gridlock and argues that when legislators fail to work together, it directly harms people who rely on programs like SNAP and other forms of support. She emphasizes that government inaction during conflicts, such as shutdowns, can push people closer to hardship or crisis.

She states that if elected officials cannot set aside political differences to serve the public, they should not be paid, suggesting that those funds could instead support programs like SNAP. Moreland also connects these failures to broader issues like homelessness, arguing that people in the United States should not be left without shelter or basic needs, especially in extreme conditions.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas House District 7. You can now also watch on Kansas Helen YouTube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify

Noah Perry is running for Kansas House District 66, representing a portion of Manhattan.

In this portion of the conversation, Noah Perry discusses the importance of long-term planning in government. He says he believes the legislature often focuses too heavily on short-term political outcomes and reelection rather than long-term impact. He emphasizes the need for lawmakers to be driven by clear goals and priorities rather than political strategy.

He also talks about the realities of serving in the legislature, including the learning curve for new members and the importance of understanding how the institution works. He highlights the role of mentorship and says experienced officials can still contribute by guiding newer legislators, even if they are no longer in office.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas House District 66, including the most recent campaign finance analysis here: Kansas House

You can now also watch on Kansas Helen Youtube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify

Noah Perry is running for Kansas House District 66, representing a portion of Manhattan.

In this portion of the conversation, Noah Perry discusses the relationship between younger voters and older politicians. He points to lower voter participation among younger generations as a factor in why older voices often dominate in politics. He emphasizes that voting is key to having issues represented and addressed.

He also talks about the role of long-serving politicians, suggesting they should transition into mentorship and support roles rather than remaining in office indefinitely. He highlights the importance of bringing in newer candidates while still using the experience of longtime officials to guide and support the next generation.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas House District 66, including the most recent campaign finance analysis here: Kansas House

You can now also watch on Kansas Helen Youtube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify