State senator campaigns for state treasurer

State Sen. Brad Lager seems to have the early advantage in the contest to be Missouri's next state treasurer.

Through March 30, Lager, a Maryville Republican, had almost $255,000 in the bank for his election campaign. With no Republican opponent in the Aug. 5 primary, Lager is traveling the state to shore up support while four Democratic opponents, who together hadn't matched Lager's fundraising total, must battle for their party's nomination.

Lager knows it is a long way to November and late spring is no time to put a campaign on cruise control. As a first-term state senator who served two terms in the Missouri House, he realizes that he must work to make himself known.

"It is really about introducing myself, getting to know community leaders," Lager said of the travels that brought him to the Southeast Missourian offices Tuesday.

Lager, 32, owns small businesses including a car wash and a small land development company in his hometown. He said that background will make him more sensitive as state treasurer to using state tax investments to promote and assist small businesses.

Missouri's linked-deposit program that provides lower interest rates to business borrowers through state deposits in their bank is one program that could be doing more, Lager said. Lawmakers have authorized $720 million in linked-deposit loans but only about one-third of the money is being used, he said.

Bankers complain regulatory burdens and red tape are too cumbersome and not worth the effort to participate for small loans, he said. Lager promised to rewrite the rules to encourage use of the program.

He also said state economic development efforts should do more to encourage employers with small numbers of employees. Most programs only address the needs of businesses with 100 or more employees, Lager said.

The state treasurer's main job is to watch over state investments and try to draw the best rate of return. In a period of lower interest rates, that is a challenge, Lager said. "The key is to make sure we are aware of it and constantly watching it," he said.

Lager hopes to replace Republican Sarah Steelman, who gave up a re-election bid to compete in the GOP primary for governor.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126

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