TAXES AND BIG GOVERNMENT ISSUES IN STATE REP RACES

Two Republicans and two Democrats face re-election challenges in state representative races in Southeast Missouri where the central issues are taxes and big government.

Republican candidates oppose a constitutional amendment on Tuesday's ballot that would create a new department of aging. They argue it will simply add to an already huge state bureaucracy.

Democratic candidates argue that a new department would assure better services for Missouri's senior citizens.

161st District

State Rep. Gene Copeland, 64, D-New Madrid, is in his 19th election. He has served in the Missouri House for 36 years.

He said he is the longest-serving state representative in the history of the state.

Since 1978, Copeland has run unopposed. But this year he is challenged for the 161st District seat by Republican Lanie Black, a 49-year-old Charleston farmer.

Both Copeland and Black describe themselves as conservative.

"I am certainly not a liberal on my voting record," said Copeland, who, unlike many Democrats, opposed Senate Bill 380, the tax-hike-for-education measure.

But Black said Copeland has voted with liberal Democrats on party-line votes. Black said liberal Democrats control state government.

Copeland said he has support from both Republicans and Democrats. But he said the state Republican Party has gone all out to defeat him.

The state committee has attacked Copeland for spending more than $100,000 in campaign contributions in the last 10 years on what it calls a "lavish country club lifestyle."

But Copeland said he regularly entertains state officials, lawmakers and others in order to be in a better position to get bills passed. Some of the entertaining has occurred at his vacation residence at Gulf Shores, Ala..

Copeland said there isn't anything illegal about it; it is campaign money well spent. Copeland said it boils down to effective lobbying.

Black said such spending is wrong. Such spending is out of place in a district where there is substantial poverty, he said.

155th District

In the 155th District, Republican state Rep. Patrick Naeger of Perryville is challenged by Democrat Joe Fallert Jr. of Ste. Genevieve.

Naeger operates a retail pharmacy, and medical equipment and first-aid businesses. Elected in 1994, he is seeking a second term.

Fallert, 43, is president of the Aluminum, Brick and Glass Workers union Local 169 in Ste. Genevieve.

Naeger accuses Fallert of being a big-government liberal.

Fallert favors a constitutional amendment that would create the Department of Aging. He accuses Naeger of not standing up for senior citizens.

But Naeger said he opposes creation of a new department because it would lead to more bureaucracy, not better services for the elderly.

Fallert supports collective bargaining for public employees. He said most public employees should have the right to strike.

But Naeger said taxpayer-supported employees shouldn't be allowed to strike and shut down government services.

In the 160th District

In the 160th District, incumbent Democrat Joe Heckemeyer of Sikeston is seeking re-election to a second, two-year term.

He is opposed by Republican Mark Schumacher of Sikeston. Schumacher is part-owner of the family business, a financial services firm.

Schumacher said state government has grown too big. The state budget has grown from $8.8 billion to $14 billion in the past five years, he said.

High taxes hurt families and businesses, Schumacher said.

He said Heckemeyer has voted for 16 tax and fee hikes that have been signed into law by Gov. Mel Carnahan in the last two years.

Schumacher wants to cut taxes. He said he would push for legislation to require a two-thirds majority in both the state House and Senate before any tax could be raised.

He also wants to ban legislators from taking meals or other gifts from lobbyists. Schumacher said he has actually returned money sent to him by PACs.

But Heckemeyer said Schumacher has received special-interest money that been funneled through the Republican Party.

"Mark Schumacher has got double standards," said Heckemeyer.

Heckemeyer insists he isn't a tax-and-spend liberal.

"I am a businessman," he said. He operates a farming business and is part-owner of a Halloween costume shop.

He said Missourians will receive a tax refund in the near future and lawmakers are likely to approve a cut in taxes next year.

But Heckemeyer said huge tax cuts would hurt programs and services that Missourians rely on.

He said local property owners would be saddled with higher taxes to pay for cuts in state aid to schools.

106th District

In the 106th District, Republican incumbent Jim Graham of Fredericktown and Democrat Jim Goldsberry of Marquand are both touting themselves as fiscal conservatives.

Graham, who is seeking his fourth term, wants to slow down the growth in state spending. Goldsberry also believes the state needs to tighten its financial belt.

But Goldsberry said he could get more done for the district because the state legislature is controlled by Democrats.

A Democratic lawmaker could secure more state aid for roads and other projects in the district than a Republican lawmaker, he said.

graphic - biographies

161st District

Gene Copeland

incumbent Democrat

age: 64

residence: New Madrid

incumbent Democrat

owns farm land and commercial real estate.

married to Ginna Lee; have five children.

Served as state representative since elected in 1960.

Lanie Black

Republican

age: 49

residence: Charleston

farmer

married to Ann; have two sons.

First run for political office.

160th District

Joe Heckemeyer

incumbent Democrat

age: 30

residence: Sikeston

diversified farming business and part-owner of a Halloween costume shop.

single

elected in 1994 to two-year term.

Mark Schumacher

Republican

age: 45

residence: Sikeston

part-owner of the family's financial services business.

married to Annie; have seven adopted daughters.

First run for political office

District 155

Patrick Naeger

incumbent Republican

age: 32

residence: Perryville

operator of pharmacy, medical equipment and first-aid business

married to Karen; have two sons

Elected to state House in 1994; previously served two terms as Perry County coroner.

Joe Fallert Jr.

Democrat

age: 43

residence: Ste. Genevieve

president of Aluminum, Brick and Glass Workers union Local 169.

married to Carol; have five children

first run for political office

106th District

Jim Graham

Republican incumbent

age: 36

residence: Fredericktown

cattle farmer

single

Elected in 1990, seeking fourth term.

Jim Goldsberry

Democrat

age: 63

residence: Marquand

retired from the Army, the Fredericktown Police Department and the Madison County Sheriff's Department; raises cattle and horses.

married to Peggy; have three children

Second run for political office; lost contest for sheriff of Madison County in 1992.