Spradling leaves big legacy

Two influential state senators: One of my favorite people, former state senator Albert Spradling, died last week. His was a full life. His minister observed how Spradling anonymously helped many in financial need -- and how Al graded his sermons through friendly, honest banter. He did the same thing for some of my columns. He was always asking me to write more original comments and fewer sharings of comments and opinions of others I often use in my column.

We've reported on many of Spradling's legislative achievements during his 25 years as this area's state senator, especially in the field of mental health. To that I'd like to add his knowledge and leadership in legislation affecting banking and savings and loan (remember them?) institutions.

More important, he was one of a handful of bipartisan senators who effectively set the agenda for state government for many years. Their motto: "Governors may come and governors may go, but the Senate goes on forever."

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Another Cape Girardean state senator who has served with unusual distinction is Peter Kinder, who is seeking higher office after representing this area for 12 years. This includes four years as president pro tem (leader) of the Missouri Senate, the first Republican so elected in about 50 years.

Kinder has received endorsements and support of media across the state in his current race for lieutenant governor, including the more liberal St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Springfield News-Leader.

Kinder has impressed them with his knowledge of issues and honest, fair handling of his job in a nonpartisan, non-geographical application of his duties.

Philosophically conservative (in a state of like beliefs), Kinder deals with economic, education, health and transportation issues seeking the best solutions with no geographic prejudices, something the editorial boards probed in his many interviews over the years.

Like The Wall Street Journal, the Southeast Missourian has a no-endorsement policy. But as a columnist I have no such restriction. As a close friend and observer of Kinder's intelligence, honesty and integrity, I encourage your vote for Kinder for lieutenant governor. He has the capacity and passion to help the state and Southeast Missouri in the coming critical years of government.

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Additional endorsements are coming in from across the state for Kinder for lieutenant governor. Here are excerpts.

Kinder proves his dedication, service to Missouri: I strongly favor Peter Kinder for lieutenant governor of Missouri in the Nov. 2 general election ... for what he has done for all Missouri taxpayers while serving in the Missouri Senate for the past 12 years, the last four as speaker pro tempore.

What is more, Kinder has promised to work full-time as lieutenant governor if elected. That, alone, would be a change for the better.

During his career in the Senate, Kinder can claim responsibility for a 15 percent in reduction in the Senate's operating budget. He sponsored and passed the Elderly Protection Act, created the Missouri Senior Rx Program, resisted more than $1 billion in proposed tax increases and revised the Missouri Sunshine law.

As lieutenant governor, Kinder says he will work to decrease the cost of health care in Missouri, build a stronger economy, provide for safer communities, improve our schools and make government more accountable and efficient.

Kinder's experience in the Senate makes him the most qualified candidate to preside over the Senate as lieutenant governor. And, although he is from Southeast Missouri, he shares the values of a vast majority of Phelps Countians.

Having him as lieutenant governor would be like having one of our own in a key position in Jefferson City.

As an example of what important work Kinder would do if elected lieutenant governor, here is one item: Push for legislation to create a permanent statutory Commission on Waste, Fraud and Abuse chaired by the lieutenant governor. The commission would be responsible for reviewing all state department programs and operations to identify waste, fraud and abuse in operations and programs, and making recommendations for corrective action. ...

What I like most about Kinder's record in the Senate is his firm stance against job-killing tax increases, and in 2004 he passed a balanced budget with increased spending for education without a tax increase.

I am convinced that Kinder, if elected lieutenant governor, will continue this level of service and dedication to Missouri's citizens. -- Rolla Daily News

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Attitude shapes races: The presidential race is top drawer on the November general election battle. The gubernatorial campaign is a setup bout that is drawing plenty of attention in Missouri.

But for other statewide races -- lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer and secretary of state -- make up the undercard for the Nov. 2 vote that should be equally important for voters.

These can be tough races to pick, with some candidates flying under the political radar screen. Other candidates end up sounding like each other, as both appeal to moderates.

Our endorsements reflect a common theme. Our candidates bring attitude to his or her race.

We start with a two-for-oner. Democrats are attacking Peter Kinder and Catherine Hanaway in the same ad for the same alleged sin. Mr. Kinder wants to be the state's next lieutenant governor. Ms. Hanaway wants to become our next secretary of state.

The Democrats charge this duo with using their leadership positions in the state House and Senate to tie up state funding for education in a bitter showdown with Democratic Gov. Bob Holden, who wanted the General Assembly to pass a massive tax increase for the state.

The two Republicans did hold the governor's feet to the fire. He withheld millions of dollars in state funding for months while they argued persistently that state revenue would be enough to release the funding. ...|

Once the votes were counted, Gov. Holden released the frozen state money. Taxpayers were right to be mad at the governor, who lost in his primary contest in August.

Voters also should remember that Mr. Kinder and Ms. Hanaway took the fight to the governor and saved Missouri taxpayers from a massive tax increase.

Republican Sarah Steelman also brings an attitude of smaller government is better to her race for the state treasurer's office. She promises to create a new council of economic advisers to help make sure Missouri makes the most it can off the investment of tax dollars. She is also convinced her office will be able to produce dependable revenue forecasts that can help stop the budget bickering in Jefferson City.

Voters should cast their ballots for Sarah Steelman for state treasurer on Nov. 2. -- St. Joseph News Press

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Kinder for lieutenant governor, Hanaway for secretary of state: Two legislative leaders are hoping to advance to statewide executive offices in the Nov. 2 election. We hope they succeed.

Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, is vying to become lieutenant governor. House Speaker Catherine Hanaway R-Warson Woods, is running for secretary of state.

Their Democratic opponents have attempted to paint them as too partisan.

We believe their experience as lawmakers and leaders is an asset, not a liability.

The nature of the legislative arena is partisan. A role of legislative leaders is to advance the interests of their respective parties. Voters elected a majority of Republicans in the two chambers and those Republicans elected Kinder and Hanaway to lead.

One duty of the lieutenant governor is to preside over the Missouri Senate. As a senator since 1993, Kinder has the experience to fulfill that role.

The lieutenant governor also serves as the state citizens' ombudsman and as the senior citizens' advocate. Kinder's work to extend prescription drug benefits to Missouri's low-income elderly shows he works well with those groups the lieutenant governor's office is charged with representing.

Kinder also is a fiscal conservative who has championed legislation to promote economic development in Missouri.

A role of the secretary of state is to convince lawmakers to pass bills pertaining to elections, securities, libraries, the preservation of historic records and other responsibilities of the office. Hanaway, a representative for six years, can hit the ground running in that capacity.

Hanaway is a lawyer who specializes in securities and has served on the Elections Committee in the House. She also is a member of the advisory board of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

We believe Kinder and Hanaway are amply qualified to serve Missourians as statewide office-holders. -- Jefferson City News Tribune

Gary Rust is chairman of Rust Communications.