Peter DeGraaf
American politician
Peter DeGraaf (born April 11, 1957) is a Republican former member of the Kansas House of Representatives, representing District 82 from 2008 to May 31, 2017. He resigned from the state House on May 31, 2017, due to complications with Parkinson's disease.
Prior to his election to the House, DeGraaf served as Gore Township precinct committeeman,
treasurer for Ray LaBoeuf for Senate, and chairman of the Sumner County Republican Central Committee. DeGraaf is a 1979 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and an associate pastor at Faith Community Church.
Issue positions
DeGraaf's website says that he is a "Conservative Republican: who believes in "lower taxes, less government, family values, better education," and "financial common sense."
DeGraaf supports restricting abortion coverage. During May 12, 2011 House debates, DeGraaf supported restrictions of health insurance coverage for abortions, including disallowing coverage for abortions in the case of rape unless the woman had purchased separate "abortion only-policies." When Rep. Barbara Bollier, a Mission Hills Republican who supports abortion rights, questioned whether women would buy abortion-only policies long before they have crisis or unwanted pregnancies or are rape victims, DeGraaf asked "We do need to plan ahead, don't we, in life?" When Bollier questioned whether a woman should be expected to plan ahead in life for the possibility of being raped and becoming pregnant, DeGraaf responded: "I have spare tire on my car. I also have life insurance. I have a lot of things that I plan ahead for."
Committee membership
Appropriations
General Government Budget
Financial Institutions
Insurance
Sponsored legislation
H 2084 Cities; annexation; strip annexations restricted. March 17, 2009
H 2150 Property taxation; 2% limit on valuation increases.
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