Candidate Q&A - State house; Scott Lipke

District 157

1. Options to help the state out of its continuing budget problems include raising taxes, eliminating more programs or a combination of the two. Which would you prefer and why?

In my mind, there are more choices. In fact, it is that way of thinking that in part has put us in our current budget crisis. I do not think raising taxes is the answer and would not support doing that. Eliminating programs, many of which are beneficial and serve a legitimate purpose, does not necessarily have to occur either. Instead, we need to look at some of the spending that occurs in Jefferson City. Particularly, we need to look at some of the costs associated with the implementation of those programs. We have all seen come to light a number of instances of waste, fraud and abuse that occur in state government. We need to stop that immediately.

Small businesses drive our economy and right now we aren't doing enough to help them thrive. We need to address unemployment insurance costs and ways to reform that along with workers' compensation.

2. Keeping in mind that lawmakers have no control over how money from the state road fund is spent, what action do you propose to improve Missouri's transportation system?

With the recent overwhelming defeat of Proposition B, it is apparent to me that highways commission needs to regain some credibility and be more accountable to all of us.

The way the funds are distributed now provide for approximately 20 percent to be used on multimodal transportation, 2 percent for biodiesel and 78 percent for the maintenance and construction of our roads. Unfortunately, within the 78 percent that is supposed to go to our roads, money is diverted away to other agencies. As a result, even less money is actually making its way to insuring that our roads are safe. We need to stop the diversion of those funds and make sure that the money is being used to make our roads safe.

The highway commission could restore some credibility by distributing money on a safety-needs basis. Additionally, there is no reason why the funds should be distributed 50-50 between the urban and rural areas. In fact, when basing the allocation of the funds on the number of vehicle miles traveled, the distribution should be approximately 60-40 in favor of the rural areas.

I also strongly believe that we need to look at the way our commissioners are selected in order to make sure the allocation of funds, which should be done for safety first and foremost, doesn't become purely political and partisan.

3. With the large number of fresh faces in the General Assembly next year due to term limits, what changes would you propose in the way the legislature does business?

This next year is going to provide an opportunity to explore other avenues and options that might not have been looked at before. It's not always good to continue doing something year after year just because that how it's always been done. We also do not need to turn everything totally upside down either.

However, I've had the opportunity to serve on a number of different boards in the community and have taken part in the budget process. It's been my experience that it's not usually in the best interest to just automatically increase a department's budget every year. Unfortunately, this is often the case. Some adopt the view that if they don't use all of their money up one year, they many not be able to justify an increase the next year. As a result, departments or agencies spend the money whether they need to or not. That's why I believe it's important for those departments and agencies in Jefferson City to make their case as to why they need what they say they do.

4. What agriculture-related legislation would you propose?

I have talked often about the need to help out small business and I include many family farmers in this category. We need to find ways to help them out in times when the prices they receive for their crops may be what they were 20 years ago, but the cost to produce them has increased four or five times.

Value-added farming is a way to accomplish this. This provides the farmer with the opportunity to garner a portion of the wholesale or retail market as well as income from the crop itself. Biodiesel or ethanol plants are ways that this has already been accomplished and we need to make sure it is still attractive for farmers to do so. I also recently attended an informational meeting in Perry County where the possibility of bringing a strawboard plant in was being discussed. These are all things that would provide opportunity to our farmers and ultimately would be beneficial to us all.

5. In one paragraph, why should someone vote for you rather than your opponents?

In a time when over half of the state representatives will be elected for the first time, it's more important than ever that we send someone to Jefferson City who will be able to hit the ground running and advocate strongly for everyone in the 157th District. It has been my honor and privilege to serve as an assistant prosecuting attorney and fight for those who have been victims of crime. On a daily basis, I deal with our state laws and I've already identified many areas that I know can be improved. I've always taken an interest in my community and know I share the same common-sense values and beliefs that those in the 157th District do. I've been endorsed by Missouri Right to Life, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Missouri State Teachers Association and the National Federation of Independent Businesses. I'm proud of those endorsements because I value and cherish the lives of our unborn children, believe that small businesses drive our economy, and that educating our children is our most important responsibility. Both state Reps. David Schwab and Pat Naeger, who now serve portions of the new 157th District and know what it takes to be effective, have endorsed me. I have the experience and leadership skills necessary to serve the 157th District.