148th Missouri House district candidate Holly Rehder

__Name:__ Holly Rehder

__Age:__ 44

__Place of birth:__ Memphis, TN

__Spouse's, children's names:__

My spouse of 20 years is Ray Rehder. Children are Raychel Smart, Johnny Griswell Jr., Christian Rehder and one grand-baby, Kayden Talley.

__Education:__

Graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Mass Communications, with an emphasis in Public Relations.

__Occupation:__ Small business owner - telecommunications company. Integrity Communications

__Employer:__ Self

__Businesses owned, all or part:__ Integrity Communications and Integrity Storage

__Public offices held or sought; give dates:__ Currently State Representative for the 148th District. Term began January 2013.

__Website:__ hollyrehder.com

__What makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?:__

I'm a small business owner who has proven myself in the private sector prior to running for office. I understand first hand how over-regulation impacts our businesses and slows down our economy. I've had to work for everything I have. I do not believe it is the Government's place to continue to take more and more from those who are earning a living. We need people in office who can stand firm on principle and fight for the conservative values we hold close in Southeast Missouri.

__What are the biggest issues facing your district? If elected, how would you address them?:__

The economy. Missouri is shrinking. Many of our business opportunities in Southeast Missouri land in Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi. We need to reform our labor laws - making Missouri a Right-to-Work state to attract business.

Our tax laws - We passed the first tax break in over 90 years this past session but there is more work to be done. We need to continue to reform our tax structure making Missouri a more business friendly state.

Accountability of Social programs - We need to have more accountability and oversight in our social programs. Those who are able-bodied should work. We should not reward those who do not show up for work and/or who cannot pass a drug test with a year of unemployment. Our social programs need to be available to those who are in need.

If re-elected I will continue working diligently on these important issues.

__Among the most debated ballot issues for the Aug. 5 election is Amendment 7, the transportation tax. Are you in favor of or against the measure? Why?:__

Against. I realize our dedicated transportation funds are shrinking because of fuel efficient vehicles, etc. I feel we need to allot general funds to go to transportation. We give out over $600 million in tax credits a year. That money should be coming into the state coffers to help cover the transportation and education funding needs of our state. We need to reign in our tax credit spending and support the areas of our state that is the State's business -- roads and education.

__Do you support Medicaid expansion in Missouri? Why or why not?:__

I do not. Our current system is broken - riddled with waste, fraud and abuse. I do not feel you massively expand a broken system. Our Medicaid system needs to be reformed. We need to help those who are truly in need. We need to give a hand up to those who fall in the gap - who are working and trying to support their families. We do not need to blindly add over 300,000 onto the state system that is broken. It is not fiscally or socially responsible. It has been told to me that if we do not take expansion, other states will get the money that Missourians are sending to the federal government. This is not true. Missouri is already a "taker" state getting back almost $1.30 for every $1 we send to Washington. It has also been explained to me that the federal government is picking up the tab for the first three years so why not? First, we are the federal government. They do not have pots of money sitting around in DC. This gets added to our national debt. Second - the federal government has switched the deal multiple times already. Do we trust them to do as they say they will with this? I do not. We need to reform Missouri's Medicaid system responsibly looking at how this effects the years to come. In my opinion it is better to eat peanut butter every day than to eat steak today and starve tomorrow.

__Amendment 1 will also be considered by voters on Aug. 5. What is your stance on the measure commonly known as "right-to-farm?":__

I am in support of Amendment 1. Agriculture is Missouri's strongest economic driver. The Right to Farm amendment is critical to ensure the long term future of agriculture in the state. We have become a target by outside groups that are well funded and seek to pass burdensome, and expensive regulations. They actually seek to cease farming in many ways - they are linked to groups such as PETA and the HSUS. We need to stick to state's rights and not allow outside radical groups to come in and change Missouri's agriculture landscape.