As a third-term State Representative, as former Legal Counsel/Policy Director to the Democratic Leader in the State Senate, as former Deputy Chief of Staff to United States Jean Carnahan, and as a former legal aid attorney at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, I bring a unique mix of policy, political, and legal experience to the table.
In an era of term limits, experience matters. During my five years in the legislature, I have been an effective and vocal representative for my constituents and residents across Missouri. As a member of the House Budget Committee, the House Ways and Means Committee, the House Appropriations Committee on Economic Development and Transporation (Ranking Democrat), and the House Committee on Energy and Environment, I have actively participated in intense policy debates on a wide variety of issues and have often been at the forefront of these debates in the Democratic Caucus.
As a member of the Budget Committee, I have been successful in garnering funding for a number of critical programs by authoring amendments to the budget bills and working with my colleagues in a bipartisan way to ensure that the amendments are accepted. Specifically, I introduced and passed the amendment to secure $12 million for Metro during the 2009 session -- despite opposition from many rural legislators. I also passed amendments in 2009 to retain funding for: 45 inspectors for nursing home and childcare facilities; crisis nurseries; Children's Treatment Services (which prevent child abuse and neglect); as well as a program to help elderly immigrants naturalize. In a prior year, among other items, I passed an amendment to add $300,000 to the budget to establish the SafeCare program -- this program trains doctors, nurses, and other health care providers who come into contact with children to identify and treat the symptoms of child abuse, specifically child sex abuse. The SafeCare program has now been implemented across the state of Missouri.
In closing, I am the only candidate who brings this unique and powerful mix of experiences to the table, and as a lifelong resident of St. Louis, it would be my honor to take these experiences and put them to work for the 4th district.
2. How would you approach representing a district as diverse as the 4th Senatorial?
One of the most important aspects of serving successfully in elected office is the capacity to listen. I have always, and will always, maintain an "open door" policy for all of my constituents. The diversity of the 4th Senatorial district enriches the quality of life for St. Louis residents. I will always work hard to represent all constituencies fairly and fully, whether it relates to economic, educational, or cultural opportunities.
3. How will you effectively represent Democratic interests in Jefferson City as a member of the minority party?
For the last 5 years, I have served as a member of the minority party in Jefferson City. In this capacity, I have always maintained strong relationships with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, in both the House and the Senate. For this reason, I have been successful in garnering key committee assignments and in offering amendments to the budget to secure funding for critical programs such as Metro ($12 million in 2009); the SAFECARE network; nursing home and child care inspectors; and other programs whose mission is to improve the quality of life for St. Louis families.
4. What is your position on local control of the police department?
I support local control and would work with city officials, the police department, and St. Louis residents to achieve this goal.
Would you sponsor a bill establishing local control? Yes.
5. How would you propose to solve the budget problem of increasing pension costs for City of St. Louis employees?
As an elected official representing the city, I am acutely aware of the dire situation regarding the city employee pension program and recently met with the mayor and other city officials to discuss the problem. Although no solutions have yet been advanced, I fully intend to work in concert with all relevant officials at the city and state levels to provide relief for the city budget and to protect city employees.
6. How would you work to foster economic development in the City of St. Louis? Please include your views about historic tax credits.
As the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee for Economic Development and Transportation, as well as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which deals with tax policy, and the House Budget Committee, I have spent the last five years fighting to enhance economic opportunities for people and businesses in the City of St. Louis.
One of my focuses has been the Life Sciences. Missouri is poised to be a national, possibly international leader in the life sciences based on the world-class research institutions and a very substantial industry base that already exists here. St. Louis is at the vanguard, thanks to institutions such as Washington University, the Danforth Plant Science Center, large companies such as Monsanto and Pfizer, and smaller companies such as those run by the entrepreneurs at the Center for Emerging Technologies (located in the 64th House district). I believe the General Assembly has a critical role in supporting the advances that are taking place. In a nationally and globally-competitive world, the state needs to make the right investments to develop the life sciences industry in St. Louis. That is why I have continued to fight for increased funding for Missouri's life sciences trust fund.
In 2008, I sponsored House Bill 2260, which would create a tax credit for qualified research expenditures for research and development in biotechnology. HB 2260 passed the House with strong bipartisan support. In 2009, we came very close to passing this language through the Senate as well and I will continue to work until it passes both chambers. I am also a strong advocate for business incubators and innovation centers, and believe that we must provide support for small companies as they enter the marketplace.
One of the most critical parts of our economic landscape hinges on how well we educate our workforce. Missouri must do more to provide job training and re-training programs for our youth and for those who have lost their jobs. Consistently, business leaders tell me that education and educated workforce are top priorities for them when it comes to state policy. I will continue to fight hard to ensure that resources are available in the St. Louis area for job training and re-training.
Even prior to the recent economic recession, families in St. Louis have struggled acutely with the skyrocketing cost of healthcare and the increasing costs of higher education. At the same time, they are being pinched by the volatile cost of gas and higher food costs. More than 13,000 families across Missouri have lost their homes due to the mortgage crisis. We were recently ranked 48th in the nation in annual wage growth. I want to make sure that economic opportunities are available to city residents across the spectrum. The state must ensure that women and minority business owners are included in potential opportunities. As a member of the Missouri Women's Council, I participate actively in efforts to ensure that all women are made aware of a variety of economic opportunities. I have also been involved with Missouri Women in Trades.
I am a strong advocate for targeted tax credit programs and believe that they are a critical part of the urban revitalization landscape in Missouri. I have fought and will continue to fight to ensure that programs with a proven track record such as the Historic Preservation Tax Credits, the Brownfield Tax Credits, Youth Opportunity Tax Credits, and Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credits are sustained and supported. In particular, the Historic Preservation Tax Credit program (which is a national model) has been pivotal to development in the city and must be protected.
For my work on economic development issues, I have been recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal ("Legislative Leadership" Award); the St. Louis RCGA ("Lewis and Clark Statesman Award"); and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce ("Spirit of Enterprise" Award).
7. As State Senator, what could you do to improve the educational system in the City of St. Louis? Please include your views on school choice and funding.
As a legislator representing part of St. Louis City, where the school district is currently unaccredited, I am particularly concerned about the state of education. Although there are many success stories in the city schools (stories that often receive little or no media exposure), the reality is that only 50-60% of the students currently graduate. Very few go on to college or post-secondary education. This is unacceptable.
I am committed to fighting for more access in St. Louis to programs that have a proven track record of success: universal pre-school; reading and math specialists; more after-school programs; and more professional development for teachers and principals.
I support programs like Teach for America, College Bound, and College Summit that have made an investment in St. Louis schools. It is critical that the local districts and the state work together to seek out best practices and implement them across Missouri.
For the last few years, I have been proud to sponsor legislation that would establish a program in Missouri called "21st Century Scholars." This program guarantees state college tuition assistance to low-income students who pledge to remain drug and alcohol free and maintain a 2.0 grade point average. The program will ask students in 7th or 8th grade to make a written pledge to stay alcohol and drug free. Upon high school graduation, students must have at least a 2.0 GPA and aggressively pursue available scholarships. The 21st Century Scholars program will then cover any remaining tuition costs, as long as students have not been adjudicated for any drug or alcohol related crime or violated a school substance abuse policy.
Tuition for the University of Missouri has increased and is now higher than any other Big 12 school. For many St. Louis students, higher education is now out of reach. Cost barriers should not prevent our students from accessing the education they need to succeed in a 21st century economy. Unfortunately, the Center for Public Policy and Higher Education gives Missouri an "F" when it comes to affordability. I believe that programs like 21st Century Scholars will create opportunities for thousands of St. Louis students to go to college or another type of post-secondary institution.
Personally, I have tutored in the first grade at the Adams School for four of the five years that I have served in the legislature. Education is a community responsibility and I believe that members of the community should be encouraged to participate in neighborhood schools.
In the United States, public education has always been the great equalizer, and every child should have access to a quality education.
Regarding school choice, I am a strong supporter of charter schools and believe that they offer much opportunity for children in St. Louis. I am proud that the new language immersion charter school is in the 64th House district.
Although funding is certainly not the sole answer for problems in the educational system, it is certainly critical that schools receive adequate funding, particularly in high-poverty areas.
8. Missouri lags behind many states in terms of alternative energy, energy efficiency, etc. What are your views on these and other environmental issues?
As a member of the Energy and Environment Committee, as well as a member of the new Joint Energy Committee, I am a strong supporter of alternative energy opportunities. I believe Missouri needs a diverse energy portfolio, including wind and solar energy. In the past, I have voted in favor of targeted tax incentives to support alternative and renewable energy sources and "green" practices (solar panels and equipment; hybrid vehicles, etc.). I was also a supporter of Proposition C. In 2008, I was one of 12 Americans to receive an Eisenhower fellowship to study energy issues.
9. As State Senator, what could you do to improve health insurance / care in Missouri?
As a former legal aid attorney and state representative, I have been deeply involved in the healthcare debate in Missouri. In 1997, I was a member of a taskforce to enroll Missouri children in the original Children's Health Insurance Program and was engaged in advocacy with the state as it shaped the CHIP program. As a legislator, I was an outspoken opponent of Blunt's Medicaid cuts in 2005 and a co-sponsor of legislation to re-establish coverage for those affected. I have also sponsored legislation that would require the Department of Social Services to track the number of children in Missouri without access to health insurance. I am asked to speak frequently at forums and public presentations on this subject. As State Senator, I would use my platform to work closely with Governor Nixon to achieve his agenda of establishing healthcare coverage for Missouri children (as well as for the nearly 800,000 Missourians without health insurance). If federal healthcare reform passes, I will use my prior experience at the federal and state level to facilitate implementation at the state level.
I also serve on the boards of a number of healthcare-oriented community organizations, including Nurses for Newborns, and have been very involved with advocacy on behalf of hospitals in and nearby the 64th district (Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital; St. Louis Children's Hospital; Barnes Hospital; Siteman Cancer Center; and Forest Park Hospital). I have received a number of awards on the basis of my healthcare advocacy including: Cardinal Glennon's Champion for Children award; Paraquad Disability Rights award; Legal Services of Eastern Missouri Legislative Advocacy award; Institute for Family Medicine award.
10. What is your long-term commitment to this position?
My short- and long-term commitment to this position is that I will wake up every day thinking about everything in my power that I can do to improve life for the residents of the 4th Senatorial district. I will bring to the table my prior experience in Washington, DC and in Jefferson City to continue achieving the highest quality results.
Do you plan to seek re-election? I plan to file for re-election.
