There is a health care crisis in Missouri. Previous cuts made to Medicaid have left over 250,000 Missourians without health insurance. With the stagnant job market and increasing unemployment, the number of families without health care continues to increase at an alarming rate while legislators continue to ignore the voices of the people. This is unacceptable.

Here in the 37th District, Truman Medical Center is facing serious issues. Those who previously qualified for Medicare coverage who require medical attention have been forced to seek treatment strictly through the Emergency Room. The effects of the Medicaid program decisions in Jefferson City are real and resolutions need to be found. I will continue to bring my unique perspective to Jefferson City. Based upon my experience with injured people in the legal realm and my father’s knowledge of what is happening inside local hospital emergency rooms, I understand the concerns of my constituents, and recognize the problems that must be addressed in order to bring about meaningful, responsible reform.

We can no longer afford to stand idly by while the health of Missouri suffers. We must restore Medicaid coverage to those who need it most, and work to promote better access to health care for all Missourians.

Education is a top priority when it comes to addressing the issues facing our state. It takes a collective effort and ongoing communication between teachers, parents, administrators and policy makers to ensure that the futures of Missouri’s children are as bright as they can possibly be.

The situation facing education in urban areas is in dire need of improvement. The education funding system must be improved and implemented quickly, as schools are struggling with new formulas and a lack of funds necessary to comply with mandated changes. With the current $2.8 million initiative in the Kansas City, Missouri school district, it has become vital that the House of Representatives ensure that funding is properly allocated. I believe that the people executing the these programs and initiatives have a better understanding of what issues need to be considered and I intend to bring their voices into the fold.

Missouri currently has the 9th lowest paid teachers in the country. We need to work to strengthen their salaries in order to attract quality educators to our state and keep them here. These are the individuals we expect to develop and inspire the minds of our youth, and it is not in anybody’s interests to continue to expect them to do more with less.

Politicians in Jefferson City continue to argue education is their main concern. If this is true, then I am prepared to do more than simply talking about these improvements and start making them.

Missourians want to go back to work. Unfortunately, the state of our economy has made job creation and business development difficult. Recent surveys have shown a negative outlook for jobs in the Kansas City Area and few businesses report plans to hire while others struggle to support and maintain their current employees. The number of families dropping below the poverty line is increasing daily, creating an even greater need for social services. But with the shrinking number of tax-payers, our budget has tightened and funds for these services are quickly diminishing. Missouri’s workers are it’s greatest resource. With our tightened budget, we must be resourceful, if not radical, in finding new ways to stabilize our local economy and put those who are able back to work.

Luckily, Kansas City provides a strong, diverse environment full of citizens who enthusiastically support small homegrown businesses. They understand that by supporting local business, they’re investing in their community. We need to take advantage of this unique advantage and work to create a sustainable economical setting for small and minority owned business. Their success would foster much needed job growth and a more robust urban economy. We need to work to provide the opportunities and incentives for innovative small business owners and entrepreneurs to be successful in our city. 

We also need to be progressive in making sure that all Missourians who wish to seek it out have access to quality higher education. Cultivating a new group of urban entrepreneurs will help to ensure that Missouri is creating a competitive workforce and a sustainable job environment. 

These are significant concerns for many Missourians and, as legislators, we have a responsibility to find effective and fiscally responsible solutions.