Contrasts, similarities mark the Missouri Senate race

Nevada Herald

Two candidates for Missouri's 31st District Senate seat have wide disparity in background as well as ideas in many, but have similar positions on some of the issues confronting the legislature and the people of Missouri today.

Background and affiliations

Republican Chris Koster, 40, is a Belton resident and has served as Cass County prosecuting attorney since 1995. He has a strong background in the legal arena and carries membership to service organizations such as the Hope Haven Women's Shelter board, and the Belton-Raymore Rotary Club.

Koster says he has prosecuted some of the most notorious criminals in western Missouri as Cass County prosecutor, and has served as assistant attorney general in Missouri, where he argued and won two cases before the Missouri Supreme Court. He is vice president of the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and has served on the United States Attorney's Anti-Terrorism Task Force.

Democrat Larry Snider, 52, says he's experienced in the public forum also, but in a much different way.

A Harrisonville optometrist by trade, he's served as past president, Missouri Optometric Association; past president, Missouri State Board of Optometry; past president, Harrisonville Chamber of Commerce, and is past president, Harrisonville Lions Club (twice).

He's been active in city governments and has served on the Harrisonville TIF commission, as president of the Harrisonville Industrial Development Authority, and as Harrisonville city alderman. He is a member of Harrisonville United Methodist Church where he also held leadership offices.

Challenges of office/education

Snider said the biggest challenge facing legislators today is "aggressive partisan politics," that has gotten in the way of statesmanship and good government.

"As a non-politician from the private sector, I hope to be able to work both sides of the aisle and restore cooperation between the parties."

Koster sees inequity in Missouri's educational foundation formula as the biggest challenge facing lawmakers.

"Equity means fairness, and our system today is not fair. The gap between funding for rich and poor districts is wide and widening. The Clayton School District near St. Louis spends $15,000 per pupil per year to educate the district's school children. Most districts in our area spend between $4,500 and $5,500 per pupil per year. These dramatic gaps in funding have to be addressed immediately," Koster said in a letter to the Herald.

To address this issue, Koster said the state should look to gaming funds and fixing the state's foundation formula as tools.

We need to end the diversion of gaming funds away from education. When gaming was allowed in the early 1990s, the funds from the gaming revenue tax were promised to education. However, as gaming funds were poured into education, other educational funds were siphoned away. Consequently, the state failed to meet its potential in increasing educational funding, as a whole. The first step we need to take is to end the diversion of educational funds and get our school districts back to the funding level we promised ten years ago.

Secondly, another major factor in the funding crisis stems from the inequitable way that educational funds are distributed around the state. I don't think there is a funding crisis in school districts that are spending upwards of $10,000 per child per year. However, there is a funding challenge in districts where per pupil spending is half that amount," Koster said.

Snider also believes the foundation formula is part of the root of the education funding issue, but a greater investment may be needed as well.

"Last year the education formula was under-funded by $600 million. Hopefully, growth in the economy will cover future shortages. The formula needs to be evaluated to make sure it is not excessively high, and unnecessary mandates need to be eliminated. However, if we want to increase teacher salaries, lower student class sizes, and lower college tuition, the voters must be willing to address additional taxes if the previous measures are not sufficient. In reality, they have already faced additional taxes on the local level through school levies and bond issues. Under this plan wealthier districts flourish while poorer districts suffer.

"I believe increased funding on the state level is better to ensure equality for all of our students. Missouri has one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the nation and loopholes exist that allow large corporations to escape paying taxes. The state sales tax on food items was eliminated a few years ago and few people probably noticed. Missouri's taxes on tobacco and alcohol are lower than those in surrounding states. These and other areas of the state tax code need to be evaluated and a plan presented to the voters. If they truly want to fund the school formula 100 percent without gutting social services, they will approve increased taxes on the state level. If they do not approve increases, the legislature will have the mandate they need to cut spending and live on a smaller budget. I have no problem asking the voters for additional funding, but I am quite willing to live with their decisions," Snider said.

Improving the economy

Koster said, "Improving our economy means creating an environment in which businesses can be successful, and the elements of a successful business environment are clear.

"We want to provide a low tax, low regulation business climate in which growing businesses can take root and prosper. We want to address the skyrocketing cost of health care for small businesses through implementation of 'association health care' programs. And we need also to do the little things right, such as provide for great schools and well paved roads and bridges. Ultimately, schools and roads are all part of a successful business environment."

Snider's take on giving the economy a boost hinges on education and roads.

"Supporting education not only attracts industry looking for qualified employees but also provides jobs in the local school districts. Upgrading Highway 71 to Interstate 49 from New Orleans to Kansas City would grow the local economy immediately with the construction jobs it would create and in the long run with the attraction to new industry.

"I attended Nevada's Business Expo and Jobs Fair last year and was impressed with the economic development already present. The Department of Economic Development should use Nevada as an example of how to grow the economy."

Health care issues

Neither candidate denied an assertion that the cost of health care, health insurance and malpractice insurance for providers is skyrocketing.

Snider said, "Many of the health care issues will be best addressed on the federal level. However, allowing prescription drugs to be purchased from Canada would be a quick, short-term help. This actually hurts our local pharmacists who are not at fault but would give some immediate relief until pressure could be applied to the large pharmaceutical companies to spread development costs to all countries instead of just the United States. I also support insurance regulation and tort reform in order to lower malpractice rates to our physicians."

Koster said an approach in three areas -- the insurance industry, the courts, and the government -- is necessary to address the issue.

He said 90-day rate increase warnings giving providers an opportunity to shop for new coverage, plus scrutiny of malpractice increases by the Missouri Department of Insurance and separate pools for providers with clean records (offering lower rates, like safe driver rates in car insurance) are needed in the insurance industry.

In the courts, Koster believes special rules are needed relating to who's liable in malpractice cases. "We need to get rid of the so-called Scott decision, which allows a single malpractice claim to mushroom into many claims, and we need to empower our judges to get rid of these frivolous lawsuits by throwing them out of court."

Koster said tax credits could be expanded for specialists "being driven out of practice by skyrocketing malpractice premiums."

He said many doctor's groups are supporting his campaign. "The Missouri State Medical Association, 6,500 doctors strong, is a maximum supporter of our campaign and has not supported the candidacies of my opponents. The same is true for Mid-America Medical Affiliates. This group of 1,800 physicians has gone so far as to put up billboards in the district to support our campaign. Finally, the Metropolitan Medical Society of Kansas City recommends in their voter guide that their 1,500 doctors support our campaign for state senate."

The prison situation

Both candidates agree that the state's prison population appears to be a problem.

Snider noted that "Missouri has one of the highest prison populations per capita of any state. Although mandatory sentencing appears to be tough on crime, it may be contributing to less serious criminals serving longer prison time than a judge would recommend. It is an issue that should be re-evaluated to determine its effectiveness."

Koster said the state's 30,000 prison beds are full, and it's unlikely prisons will be expanded in the near future.

"We need to do two things. First, we need to … be certain that the 30,000 prison spaces are filled with the 30,000 most dangerous criminals in the state. We need to make an accurate assessment of the risks posed by various defendants, and ensure that low-risk offenders are not occupying prison spaces that should be held by more dangerous offenders."

Efforts to find cost efficient and effective alternatives, such as finding ways get drug users off drugs and keep them off drugs, and we must accomplish it in a way that is less expensive than prison, he noted.

Abortion rights

Koster is pro-life.

Snider said he is "against partial-birth and late-term abortion, for the 24-hour wait period after full disclosure of all information and options, and pro-choice for the first semester. I believe abortion is a poor choice in almost all instances but do not believe government can force (or enforce) a woman to complete a pregnancy. I do not want to return to back alley and coat hanger procedures."

Some final words from campaigns

Snider said his leadership qualities and experience will be an asset to the people of Vernon County if he's elected.

"I believe I am the most qualified to serve in the Senate for the following reasons:

"One, I have more leadership experience.

"Two, my wife and I have more investment in western Missouri. Jeanie was raised in Harrisonville. I have lived and worked in Harrisonville 28 years. We raised our two daughters here, own a home and business in Harrisonville, and have family here. As an optometrist, I work with people of all walks of life and believe I have a good understanding of the wishes of the people. My opponent was raised in St. Louis and has no family, no business investment and owns no property in the 31st District.

"Finally, I am running for the right reasons. With my professional knowledge of health care and public education (Jeanie is an administrator at Cass-Midway Schools), I can address the major issues facing our state and be of service to the people who have been so good to me over the years. I will not use this office as a stepping stone to further my political career and will be accessable to the people who elected me."

To the voters, he added, "I would consider it an honor and privilege to be your next Senator."

Koster believes his experience as prosecutor and his affiliation with the Republican Party offers the most potential for effective representation.

Asked to explain, he directed his response to the voters.

"Why is it important that our next state senator be a member of the majority? Because as a member of the majority, powerful positions such as chairmanships are open to our area. A majority senator is inside the rooms where the decisions are actually made, and over the long haul, this fact will bring great benefits to our area of the state.

"For 10 years, I have served as prosecuting attorney of Cass County. Our office has received numerous awards for the outstanding work it has done to fight crime in this area. Our record of success is well-known. I will take that work ethic to Jefferson City, and I will work my hardest to bring back the educational dollars, highway funding and other resources our area needs to continue to grow strong. I ask you for your vote on November 2nd."