KINDER AND HEARNES FACE OFF IN MISSOURI SENATE

Voters in Missouri's 27th Senate District will choose Tuesday between Republican Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau and Democrat Betty Hearnes of Charleston. Each hopes to replace state Sen. John C. Dennis, D-Benton, who is retiring.

Kinder, who is seeking his first political office, has cited a need for change and has pledged to wage a campaign against big government.

"I believe in freedom," Kinder said. "And I mean it when I say I will go to Jefferson City looking for taxes to cut, regulators to eliminate, services to privatize and bureaucrats to put on the unemployment line."

Hearnes has cited her experience during 10 years in the Missouri House. She has pointed out she was a member of the education and appropriations committees for education. "I have worked in the committee system and understand the workings of government, which would help me fare better," said Hearnes.

Kinder said Missouri voters' overwhelming rejection last fall of a tax-increase package for education indicates a call for education reform.

"What the voters are saying is, `No more money for business as usual; no more money until last time's promises are kept; no more doing things as we've gotten used to doing them,'" he said.

"This is a reform message, and as usual the people and most teachers are ahead of the politicians. We need to listen to that message and heed it," said Kinder.

Hearnes said: "The state has to face up to budget problems and addressing the needs in education. That is what most people are concerned about, and what we need to be concerned about."

In remarks to a candidates forum sponsored by the legislative committee of the Southeast District of the Missouri State Teachers Association, both agreed that education was a top priority.

Kinder said: "I yield to no one in my commitment to education. I do believe public education is at a crisis in this state."

Hearnes said she had a strong voice for education in the House. She pointed out she was a teacher and is a lifetime member of the MSTA.

Kinder has taken issue with her record, suggesting she has done little to further the cause of education. Kinder said Hearnes never introduced a single bill dealing with elementary and secondary education, and that she had voted against the 1985 Excellence in Education Act that set about a number of reforms, including minimum salaries for teachers.

Hearnes defended her vote, contending the act was flawed. Hearnes said she was especially concerned the act would lead to a state-directed curriculum and said the career ladders section to raise salaries did not have a funding mechanism with it.

"That was a tough vote," said Hearnes. "I'll have to answer for that the rest of my life."