Three candidates compete for 145th state House seat

Three candidates vying for the 145th Missouri House seat this fall have differing views on the constitutional amendments on the ballot and how to improve the state’s economy.

Republican Rick Francis of Perryville, and Democrat Ronald Pember and Constitution Party candidate Victoria “Tori” Proffer, both of the Fredericktown area, are running for the open seat. The district covers Bollinger and Madison counties and part of Perry County.

Francis, a retired educator who served three years on the Perry County District 32 School Board, supports Amendment 2 on the Nov. 8 ballot that would impose limits on campaign contributions. Pember and Proffer oppose it.

Francis said he supports the measure “because watching million-dollar contributions get thrown around in political races makes me uncomfortable.” He said he is concerned major donors drown out “the voices of the people.”

But Pember, an architect, engineer and community planner, said he opposes efforts to restrict campaign contributions because it could limit the ability of labor unions to make political contributions to candidates’ campaigns.

Ronald Pember

Proffer, a Marine Corps veteran from the Vietnam War era and former owner of various internet-provider businesses, has a different reason for opposing it. She believes the measure is unconstitutional because it would limit donations by individuals. She said she would favor limiting “corporate special interest” money, adding such money is “where the corruption in government starts.”

Francis and Proffer oppose Amendment 3, which would increase tobacco taxes to fund early-childhood education programs. Pember initially supported it, but now is uncertain.

Francis said he objects to the measure because it would bypass the legislative appropriation process, and it would allow tax dollars to flow to private and parochial schools.

He spent 33 years in education, which included teaching and coaching at Woodland and Perryville high schools and serving as principal and assistant superintendent for Perry County District 32 and the Lindbergh School District.

“While the goal of this amendment has merit and quality education is extremely important to me, raising taxes and putting taxpayer dollars in the hands of a governor-appointed commission does not give me hope that the funds collected will properly go toward their stated goal — helping children,” he said.

Tori Proffer

Proffer said she opposes Amendment 3 because it would raise taxes. She added, “Many taxes need to be cut.”

Pember said he favors “added money for education purposes.” But he said the fact Amendment 3 has the backing of big tobacco companies has him questioning his support for it.

Francis wants the Missouri Legislature to enact a right-to-work law. Pember and Proffer oppose that idea.

Francis said it would boost Missouri’s economy. Right-to-work states have seen an influx of jobs, he said. Right-to-work laws don’t keep labor unions from operating, but prevent unions from mandating employees join the union to work at a particular company, he said.

But Pember, who formerly served as public works director in Wentzville, Missouri, and city engineer in Marinette, Wisconsin, said such laws don’t help the economy.

“Right to work, in my opinion, is an attack on the working class. It dramatically drives wages down,” he said.

Proffer said she sees no need for a right-to-work law. Such measures, she said, often have “unclear language in them.”

Francis and Pember favor increasing the fuel tax to provide added funding to repair and maintain Missouri’s roads and bridges. Both men favor putting a fuel tax issue before the voters.

Proffer said she is not opposed to a “reasonable” fuel tax to fund roads and bridges. But she said she wants to “start cutting big government” and improve oversight of transportation projects.

State government could save money by not having to pay mileage and expenses for lawmakers to convene at the state Capitol for each legislative session, she said.

“A lot can be accomplished through telecommuting,” she said. “That is a huge savings that can be used toward improving road conditions.”

Francis said an increase in the fuel tax would benefit Missouri economically as a result of upgraded roads.

“It looks to me like Missouri has a lot to gain,” he said.

Pember said better roads would spark economic growth. Pember added the state needs an updated, 15-year transportation plan.

Francis wants to cut government regulations he said burdens business owners, farmers and entrepreneurs.

Proffer, who describes herself as an “internet pioneer,” favors expanding the “fiber-optic footprint” for cities to provide inexpensive internet service and “keep our jobs local.”

Pember said communities would benefit from greater planning efforts that could be funded by the state and federal governments.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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