SCHWAB WILL SEEK FOURTH TERM AS STATE REP

JACKSON -- Pledging to work toward changing the way state government does business, state Rep. David Schwab announced Tuesday he will seek election to a fourth term.

Schwab, who has a farming operation with his brother near Jackson and a large Christmas tree farm, was first elected to the Missouri House in November 1988.

Schwab, a Republican, said: "We need to send a loud and clear message to our governor and legislature that it is time for change; time to quit passing tax and fee increases on to the citizens to solve this state's problems. The answer to solving the ills of education, welfare and health care is not more money, but truthful and honest reform."

Although he is running as a Republican, Schwab said he has always tried to deal with problems by putting the people first, using practical solutions rather than Democratic or Republican solutions.

Said Schwab: "I ran to take part in finding the right solutions to the problems we face in this district. With the help of the voters in this district, I will continue to make my voice heard in echoing the concerns and needs of all the people I represent."

In making his announcement, Schwab criticized Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan and the legislature's Democratic leadership for their handling of an education reform bill that passed the last session.

Schwab said an opportunity to pass a balanced, bipartisan reform bill was missed by the governor and Democratic leaders, leaving the state instead with Senate Bill 380, which he termed "a disaster."

"The bill was one of political expediency and partisan exclusion," said Schwab. "It was so poorly written that to pass the bill, support had to be bought and legislators threatened. Senate Bill 380 is a disaster that includes misdirected reform, local mandates on our schools, the largest tax increases in the history of this state, and is filled with loopholes that could cost the state over $200 billion alone. The saddest part is that the governor and his legislative majority are proud of what that did to us."

During this term Schwab was appointed to the House appropriations committee that oversees general administration of the state. He expressed outrage over some of the recent budget requests from agencies of the Carnahan administration.

"We had requests for as many as 1,300 new positions in one department alone," said Schwab. "While businesses and families are looking at ways to tighten their budgets, the bureaucrats in Jefferson City want to build the bureaucracy. I will work on this committee to offer alternatives to the administration and other statewide officials to manage better on less, not more."

Schwab said he supports recent efforts toward welfare reform in Missouri, but he fears solutions presented will be little more than new programs funded by higher taxes.

Schwab's 157th District includes Ward 17 in the city of Cape Girardeau, the city of Jackson, all of the outcounty, and a small part of Bollinger County, including the Sedgewickville area.

In 1988 Schwab won his seat by defeating Kevin Phillips in the Republican primary and then topping Democrat Jack Litzelfelner in the general election. He was not opposed for re-election in 1990 and 1992. Schwab succeeded Marvin Proffer, who retired after 26 years in the House.

In the 1994 campaign, Schwab pledged to run an issue-oriented effort without taking re-election for granted.

"When people vote, I want them to know where I stand on the important issues of state government," said Schwab. "I want the voters of this community to know that I am against unnecessary government regulations, opposed to huge tax increases, and that I will fight for the issues we hold important to our community."

During the summer and fall, Schwab said he will continue to hold a series of voter picnics throughout the district designed to talk with people about legislative issues and to get their input.