Candidate Q&A - State house; Wayne Petitt

District 161

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?

People are taxed enough. I believe that a lot of waste could be cut out of the state's budget. Times are tough and state departments are going to have to be more careful with the money they have.

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?

MoDOT needs to be more responsive to areas other than just the cities. I would like to see more representation on the commission. I would like to see a change in the makeup of the commission allowing a member from each of the 10 MoDOT districts. I believe this would allow the whole state to be better represented in their transportation needs.

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?

Legislators need to be more proactive and take a major role in the legislative process. New legislators cannot wait four years to learn how things work. They have to be ready to represent their district from day one.

4. What agriculture-related legislation would you propose?

Most funding and policies for agriculture comes from the federal government not the state. I would like to see an increase in research and production of ethanol in Southeast Missouri. I feel this will create jobs and be most beneficial to our farmers in helping prices and reducing transportation expenses.

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

I feel we have lost out in the last four years because we do not have an active voice in the state legislature. I will fight hard to make sure our district gets its fair share of state funding. With all the new faces in the legislature, our representative will have to be more aggressive when tending to the needs of our district.