Nov. 2014: State Rep. District 145: Shelley Kenney

__Name:__ Shelley Keeney

__Age:__ 35

__Place of birth:__ Cape Girardeau, MO

Shelley Keeney

__Education:__

Received a Bachelor of Science degree of Education from Southeast Missouri State University and a Master of Education degree from William Woods University

__Occupation:__ Educator, State Representative

__Employer:__ .

__Businesses owned, all or part:__ .

__Public offices held or sought; give dates:__ Elected to the Missouri House of Representatives-2008, 2010, 2012.

__Website:__ www.ShelleyKeeney.com

__Do you support Medicaid expansion? Why or why not?:__

I do not support the expansion of Medicaid without significant reform of the current system. In 2010, Missourians soundly rejected Obamacare in our state, and the current conversation pertaining to Medicaid expansion is directly related to Obamacare. In addition, while some may tout the expansion of Medicaid as being paid for by "free money", the money is in fact not free, but our tax dollars which are being levied for an expanded government program.

__Do you support right-to-work? Why or why not?:__

I support Missouri becoming a right-to-work state. I believe it is unfair that workers be forced to pay dues to an organization as a condition of employment if they do not want to. I believe economic growth in RTW states is another example of why RTW laws combined with a low tax structure can be one of the best economic development tools available.

__Missouri is the only state without a prescription-drug monitoring database. If elected, would you support legislation establishing one?:__

This past session I supported legislation establishing a prescription drug monitoring system in Missouri. I believe a database could help physicians avoid writing prescriptions for people who may be selling potentially addictive drugs such as OxyContin, Vicodin and Xanax. I believe strong protections should be put into place with any electronic database to protect Missourians' private, confidential information.

__How would you continue to support education in Missouri?:__

Having been a teacher,attending public schools and SEMO, I've experienced the value of public education.It's important control be left in hands of local school districts so those like ours in BollingerCounty can continue to be successful.We don't want the problems plaguing the school districts in KC and St.Louis and the drastic solutions to those problems to impact our schools that are doing well in SEMO.I will continue to advocate to fully fund the education formula.

__Closing remarks:__

During my six years in office, I have voted to protect the unborn,preserve our second amendment rights and to override the veto to provide Missourians with their first income tax cut in nearly 100 years. I'll continue to fight to reduce the tax burden on working families and cut needless government regulation,which stifles job creation. I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve as your state representative and ask for your continued support.