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Patty Johnson on the Issues

Jobs

I believe that jobs is the number one issue for voters in Missouri.  The Legislature must make job creation and retention its first priority in the upcoming legislative session.  Job creation starts with small businesses.  We must look for creative and cost effective ways to help small businesses grow and hire new employees.  We must remain competitive with our neighboring states in promoting new industry and commerce in the State and retain those firms which are in Missouri now.  We must look carefully at the strategies we currently have to make sure we retain effective tax credits and review programs which are not functioning as well as anticipated.  This must be done while keeping an eye on the limited financial resources available to the State. 

Education

Missouri must keep its promise to its children to provide good public schools, colleges and universities.  It is vital to our economic health that we have an educated workforce.  We cannot grow our economy without good schools.  Our young people need to know they will have employment in good jobs when they graduate.  We must help our failing schools do better and support those schools that are improving and succeeding.  We must look at appropriate ways to fund the school formula.  This will not be easy and will take creativity and a willingness for all Missourians to work together to make our State’s future the best it can be.

Budget

I share the concern of many people I have talked to about the cuts to services for children, the elderly and the disabled.  Care must be taken to review programs and revenue to minimize any further inroads into funding for programs which may save money for the State in the long term.  These programs include Parents as Teachers; public school funding, services for the elderly and disabled that help people remain independent and out of the nursing home and funding for the Department of Social Services.

Crime

It costs the people of Missouri a great deal of money to incarcerate those convicted of crimes.  We must continue programs like Drug Court and DWI Courts which work with offenders to get treatment and stay out of prison so they may be productive members of society.  We must continue programs which help parents who owe back child support to become current in those payments. We need to help employers hire individuals who have been released from prison so that those individuals are less likely to reoffend.

Second Amendment Rights

I grew up on a farm where hunting and guns were a part of life.  My brothers and I were taught responsible gun ownership.  I will support the second amendment right to bear arms.

Paid for by Patty Johnson for State Representative - Bobby Davidson, Treasurer