Melanie McMillan Argues for Affordability and Data Center Ban
Melanie McMillan, a 63-year-old equipment operator, is running as a Democrat for the 111th Kansas House seat to increase transparency and accountability within the state Legislature. McMillan identifies affordability—specifically regarding health care, property taxes, and public education funding—as the primary challenge facing her constituents and the top priority for the Legislature in 2027, the Hays Post reported.
The bid for the 111th district comes at a time when Kansas residents are facing significant pressures on household budgets. McMillan’s platform centers on the belief that the state government must prioritize the cost of living over corporate interests.
McMillan Seeks Higher Teacher Pay and Student Spending
In her platform, McMillan argues that the state must address the “abysmal” nature of teacher salaries, which she claims is deterring new talent from entering the workforce. While she describes the current K-12 funding formula as adequate, she asserts that the state must increase per-student spending to close academic inequalities across Kansas. She specifically advocates for the full funding of special education to ensure student engagement.
Regarding higher education, McMillan suggests that state-funded public colleges and universities could increase enrollment by eliminating higher out-of-state tuition for non-residents. She proposes two primary incentive structures to support these institutions:
- Tax incentives for individuals who fund scholarships or contribute to university foundations.
- Tax incentives for corporations that fund capital improvements.
McMillan also supports the use of state funds to preserve the Sternberg Museum, characterizing it as a public good. She contrasts this need with the funding of the new Kansas City Chiefs stadium, which she describes as a corporate need funded by taxpayers.
McMillan Calls for Property Tax Overhaul and Transparency
McMillan argues that Kansas property tax laws require a major overhaul. Rather than supporting specific failed caps from previous sessions, she suggests the Legislature should study and apply principles from states where property taxes are less burdensome.
This stance reflects a broader demand for accountability in Topeka. McMillan states that her candidacy is driven by the belief that constituents deserve more transparency from their elected representatives.
McMillan Advocates for Ban on New Data Centers
McMillan has taken a hard line against the expansion of data centers in Kansas, calling for an outright ban on any new proposed centers. She explicitly disputes claims made by her opponent, Barbara Wasinger, stating that data centers do not improve cell phone functionality. According to McMillan, that role is filled by cell phone towers.
She argues that the processing speed offered by massive data centers is unnecessary for the general public, noting that Google has provided sufficient speed for over two decades. She compares the current need for such speed unfavorably to the era of “Ask Jeeves” in the late 1990s.
On the issue of cybersecurity, McMillan proposes aggressive criminal penalties to deter identity theft and scam artists. She suggests a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years or more for a first offense. Regarding artificial intelligence, she describes AI as a “tool” rather than something the state can easily regulate, citing instances where students used ChatGPT to produce “hilariously wrong” assignments.
The 111th district race now pits McMillan’s focus on public goods and strict corporate regulation against the views of her opponent, Barbara Wasinger, particularly regarding the economic utility of data centers and the role of state incentives.