NEWCOMER, VETERAN SQUARE OFF IN 155TH STATE REP RACE

Party: Republican

Age: 35

Home: Perryville

Family: Wife Karen and two sons, Adam and Gerard.

Education: Attended El Paso (Texas) Community College and Belleville (Illinois) Area College.

Profession: President of Healthcare Mobility Inc. and executive vice president of Triocrex, a pharmacy and medical equipment supply business. He previously worked 10 years as a paramedic.

Public offices: Elected state representative in 1994, 1996 and 1998. Elected Perry County coroner in 1988 and 1992.

John Wibbenmeyer

Party: Republican

Age: 52

Home: Ste. Genevieve

Family: Wife Carrol and son Pete.

Education: Bachelor's in music education from Southeast Missouri State University and a master's degree from Webster University in St. Louis.

Profession: Former band director and computer science teacher at Ste. Genevieve High School. He retired last spring after 29 years in education.

Public offices: Has never held public office.

What is your one priority issue?

Naeger: "I guess the number one thing is education. Without a doubt that is the foundation for our future. We need to make sure kids get the best education money can buy, have equitable spending for education and give families others choices such as tax credits or vouchers" for private school tuition.

Wibbenmeyer: "The thing that concerns me most is prescription drug costs for senior citizens. It is a travesty and we need to get something done about it."

Do you support or oppose a tax increase for transportation?

Naeger: "At this time I do not. I think we're paying enough in taxes. Unless someone has some kind of miracle plan, I think there are other mechanisms out there. If we want to make transportation a new priority, we need to find a way in the budget process to make other programs leaner and meaner. Governing is all about making priorities."

Wibbenmeyer: "There is no question our highways and bridges are in terrible shape. I think we're off to the right start with the bond proposal, but there is going to have to be some method of financing road and bridge repairs. If I'm convinced a tax is the only way to fund this, then I would support it."

How should the state's share of the tobacco settlement be spent?

Naeger: "I believe first and foremost the state's share of the tobacco settlement should be taken to a vote of the people. People should know what their choices are and know they have the option of taking that money back. Secondly, it has to be put in a trust fund if the people decide it should be spent. Thirdly, this money should be used for health care. To start new programs that aren't related to health care is ridiculous. If it is to be used for anything, it should be health care."

Wibbenmeyer: "I think (the settlement) gives us an opportunity to take care of some of those prescription drug costs for seniors. That is where I would like to see a majority of that money directed."

• Former educator John Wibbenmeyer is challenging Rep. Pat Naeger.

By Marc Powers

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. Voters in Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties will choose between a six-year legislative veteran who touts his experience and a political newcomer who says he will be able to devote his full attention to the job as their next state representative.

Republican state Rep. Pat Naeger of Perryville, Mo., was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1994. He is seeking a fourth term, the last he is allowed under term limits.

Democrat John Wibbenmeyer of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., is challenging Naeger for the 155th District seat in the Nov. 7 election. Wibbenmeyer is a former band director and computer science teacher at Ste. Genevieve High School. He retired at the end of the 1999-2000 school year after nearly three decades as an educator.

"This gives me the opportunity to be a full-time representative," Wibbenmeyer said.

Although the General Assembly is in session only five months out of the year, most lawmakers, many of whom also hold private-sector jobs, note that a representative's duties last year-round.

Naeger, an executive with a pharmacy and medical equipment supply firm, said his track record in the Legislature demonstrates his effectiveness as a state representative.

"I've been there for six years," Naeger said. "I think I've proven myself as an effective legislator and civic leader."

Education and health care

Both men rate education and health care as issues of pressing concern to them.

"Being an educator, it goes without saying that it will be one of my top priorities," Wibbenmeyer said.

Right or wrong, teachers have had a number of new responsibilities thrust upon them that go beyond traditional classroom work and require assistance in meeting those expectations, Wibbenmeyer said.

While he believes in teacher accountability, he also believes in student accountability. Student performance on standardized tests is used as a measure of teachers and schools but have no impact on student grades, Wibbenmeyer said. He supports some type of exit exam that would require students to demonstrate that they've accumulated a minimum amount of knowledge before being allowed to graduate from high school.

Wibbenmeyer also believes more funds should be allocated to schools for improved technology.

Naeger said he is committed to ensuring "kids get the best education money can buy" and supports more equitable state funding for all Missouri school districts. Naeger also supports providing parents with tax credits or creating a voucher system to offset the cost of private school tuition.

In the area of health care, Wibbenmeyer said the majority of Missouri share of the national settlement with the tobacco industry, estimated at $6.7 billion over 25 years, should be used to fund a program to assist senior citizens with the rising cost of prescription drugs.

Naeger said voters should first decide if that money should be spent at all or refunded to taxpayers. If voters decide the state should spend the revenue, it should be spent solely on health care, Naeger said, and not funneled other programs as some have suggested.

Differ on highway taxes

In the issue of highway and bridge construction and repair, Wibbenmeyer said he might support some type of tax increase for transportation. Naeger opposes a tax increase and said the money should be found by trimming other areas of the budget.

This summer the governor signed a bill authorizing the sale of $2.25 billion in bonds to expedite planned construction projects. However, the bill created no new revenue streams, meaning when the time comes to pay off the bonds, that money will come from future construction budgets.

Wibbenmeyer does, however, support the elimination of fuel taxes for family farmers. The tax revenue generated goes to highway projects. Since farmers buy fuel to operate equipment used in fields and not highways, Wibbenmeyer said it doesn't make sense for them to pay a highway user tax.