ECONOMY
The economy is not working right now for most Missourians
“It’s the economy, stupid” is a famous catchphrase from Bill Clinton’s first presidential campaign in 1992. How well the economy is doing affects us all, regardless of political affiliation. It affects not only our present but our future, our children’s future, and the future of those yet to be born. Right now the American economy is not working very well for a majority of Americans.
The cost of living in Missouri is increasing. Many families are facing tough choices daily due to the price of basics like food, fuel, housing, and medications. Diesel fuel is now at the highest cost in our nation’s history, affecting the cost of transporting all kinds of goods. Meanwhile, wages in Missouri are stagnant, and young people entering the workforce are finding it difficult to find good jobs locally and some are moving out of state to find better opportunities.
Much of the increase in cost of living is fueled by inflation, which is largely controlled by national economics and politicians. But there are things we can do at the state government level to make things easier on Missourians.
We need tax policies that help the many, not the few
When we cut taxes it should never benefit only the rich. Trickle-down economics has not worked long term anywhere it has been tried. It is regular working people, not billionaires, who need tax cuts to meet their personal budgets in the reality of rising inflation. I opposed Amendment 5, the “Everything Tax” Amendment on the August ballot, which, if it had passed, would have given wealthy Missourians a tax cut while raising taxes on food, clothing, housing, and medical care for working and middle class families. My opponent not only supported this unfair tax policy— he co-sponsored the bill that put it on the ballot. But 80% of Missourians disagreed with my opponent and voted NO on Amendment 5 in August. I think that was the right choice. We need responsible state tax policies that benefit a majority of the people.
Hard work deserves fair wages, and hard workers deserve paid time off to care for their families
For too long, Missouri has lagged far behind most of the nation in wage requirements, and the effect on our economy shows in the number of young workers we see leaving our state for states with better pay. Minimum wages should be automatically raised in Missouri indexed to inflation. A minimum wage should also be a livable wage. Maternity and paternity leave should be required at every workplace.
The government must be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars
Taxpayers are the people who pay for tariffs on imported foods and medicines. Taxpayers are the people who ultimately pay for dropping bombs on Iran. Taxpayers pay for the fuel that sends armies and navies to the farthest corners of our globe. Our collective national debt has now surpassed 40 TRILLION dollars. Those of us that pay taxes and our children’s children are on the hook for paying this down. It will take decades to pay these loans. Public money must be used judiciously. While a State Representative has limited power to address financial choices made by the federal government, I can promise to be thoughtful and responsible when it comes to voting on how the government of the State of Missouri spends your money.
Our tax dollars should go to support the public goods and services that help Missourians thrive
In Missouri, we have been fortunate to have the necessary infrastructure to nourish such luminaries as Walt Disney, G. W. Carver, and Mark Twain. We must maintain this infrastructure that allows these kinds of people to flourish. That means spending our public money on the institutions that support our economy and citizens: a good education system, a strong public health system, and public amenities we all use like roads and parks.
Our capitalist economy only works when it works for everyone
Our economy must function for everyone. Throughout the history of our nation, while our capitalist economic system has created prosperity, we have repeatedly faced problems when a few wealthy individuals or organizations have tried to use money to seize power to control politics and the economy. When big corporations have tried to control the economy through monopolies, at times in the past the government has appropriately stepped in to break up monopolies. When businesses have tried to exploit workers unfairly, or deceive their customers, at times in the past the government has appropriately stepped in to protect workers’ and consumers’ rights. And when a wealthy few have tried to control our political system through donations, at times in the past the government has appropriately placed restrictions on money in politics.
History shows we benefit when our government exercises responsible economic oversight to encourage fair competition, fair prices, fair pay, safe working conditions, and honest transactions. We as a society need to remain vigilant to protect our economy from those who try to use it only for personal gain at the cost of everyone else’s welfare.