Hodges says he always votes to represent his district

Steve Hodges often jokes he "must seem more Republican than Democrat." The 64-year-old former grocery store owner, Little League basketball coach and school board member touts a conservative record, claiming he has voted more times with Republicans in the state legislature than with his own party.

Hodges was elected to serve as a state representative in 2006. Hodges does what he does, he said, because he always votes to represent his district.

So what does his record show, especially as they relate to issues important to 8th District voters?

Abortion, embryonic cloning and stem-cell research

Steve Hodges speaks after his nomination Feb. 16 in Poplar Bluff, Mo. (Fred Lynch)

Hodges, like his Republican opponent Jason Smith, has voted for restrictions on late-term abortions. Hodges also has sponsored legislation in past sessions to change requirements for abortions by prompting a doctor performing an abortion to tell a pregnant woman about "associated risks," the estimated age of the unborn child and require a doctor to perform a fetal ultrasound imaging and let the woman listen to the unborn baby's heartbeat.

Hodges was not present and therefore did not vote on a September 2011 authorization of funding for the Missouri Science Innovation and Reinvestment Act, which came under fire by Missouri Right to Life as a way public funding could go toward supporting cloning and embryonic stem-cell research.

Missouri Right to Life has supported Hodges in previous campaigns for his state House seat, but in the current congressional campaign the organization's endorsement went to Smith.

Hodges also was not endorsed during his 2012 bid for his legislative seat after he changed his vote on a bill that would have allowed employers to decline to provide insurance coverage for abortions, contraception or sterilization.

In a House veto override attempt, Hodges decided to stop supporting the bill after supporting it during the regular session. He was worried, he said, that the law could adversely affect many single mothers and poor families in his district.

Gun control and Second Amendment rights

Hodges has voted against regulations on guns and sponsored legislation to allow prosecutors and their designated staff to carry concealed weapons in courthouses and co-sponsored bills to increase the amount of time a concealed-weapons permit is valid and to lower the age requirement for people to obtain a concealed-weapon permit.

Along with Smith, Hodges also has voted this year to expand gun rights and declare all federal gun regulations unenforceable.

Taxes and spending

Hodges has signed a "no new taxes" pledge and did not support a 1-cent sales tax increase ballot proposal that passed in the House but failed in the Senate during the most recent session. The revenue from the increase would have gone to fund transportation improvements.

"I remember I thought 'this is the most sensible way at this time to fund it,'" Hodges said in an interview last week. "But I also think the public here in the state of Missouri are really struggling, and putting another sales tax on would be very difficult for them."

Along with many Republicans, Hodges did vote to allow reinstatement of local sales tax levies on vehicle purchases in 2012 after the Missouri Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional.

Hodges also has voted against cutting corporate income tax rates and in some cases has voted against allowing tax credits in past sessions, but this year he was among only three Democrats to vote "yes" for a measure that will reduce income taxes for individuals and businesses.

Health care

Though pushed hard by Gov. Jay Nixon, an expansion of Medicaid did not make it to the floor for a vote in the House during the past session. Hodges agreed with the governor that Medicaid expansion, which under the governor's proposal would have raised the income eligibility for adults and added up to 300,000 more individuals to the rolls, was needed.

Hodges was a vocal supporter of the expansion, most importantly, he has said, because it would benefit many people in his legislative district.

Smith's campaign has attacked Hodges for "not taking a stand" on repealing the Affordable Care Act.

Hodges on Tuesday night during a candidate forum said he supports only some provisions of the federal health-care law, including those that require coverage for existing medical conditions and coverage for college students. In 2012, Hodges voted against House Bill 1534, which would have prohibited implementation of the Affordable Care Act in Missouri.

Hodges also in 2012 sponsored a bill that if it had passed would have provided health insurance coverage for infertility treatments. He had high hopes for the bill when he refiled it in 2013, but said his nomination for Congress changed the tune of some Republican House committee members who had promised help.

Agriculture

Hodges has been an avid supporter on most House bills that support agricultural activities -- even Smith's proposed constitutional amendment, a resolution for which passed in the most recent session.

The amendment, known as "Right to Farm" has angered some groups who supported 2010's Proposition B, or the "Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act," which was passed by Missouri voters. Smith's family connection to dog breeding and past criticisms of his vocal opposition to the proposition combined with the new proposed amendment is seen by some as backlash by Smith and other conservatives over their dislike of new rules.

Hodges said he doesn't see it that way.

"The farmers are a very independent group. They work hard, and they take a lot of risks," he said. "Farmers don't like to be messed with from outside influences. I don't think it's really about Proposition B that much; I think it's about they don't want somebody coming in and telling them what to do. Especially when it comes to livestock."

For Hodges, the proposed amendment is one he sees as a good fit for his current House district.

"When [Republicans] have a bill that is right for my district, and my constituents, I'll support it and vote for it," he said. "I'm not afraid to do that."

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

East Prairie, Mo.