VOTE411 Voter Guide

Family rights are very important. The parents should be able to direct their children's lives and education for the best. A cookie cutter should not be used to determine what is right for a child.

IP reform is at the top of the list. The Missouri constitution should not be decided by 50% plus one. To change the constitution much debate and time should be expended to make sure that all parties have a chance to fully answer any questions they have. The constitution is to be a guiding light and should undergo intense scrutiny before being changed.

I am personally passionate about a number of areas of public policy that have affected me personally, and that I have been able to issues that our funding shortfalls cause firsthand.

As the son of a lifelong public educator, our public education was essential in my life, both at home and at school. I believe it is vital to the success and future of our state and our country.

As a public defender in Jackson County for 7 years, I saw every day the struggles that our citizens go through. And I saw firsthand the ways that our justice system and our mental health system fall short each day for our citizens. It is essential that fund these priorities to a level that actually allows us to give our citizens the help they need.

Working in Jackson County Family Court for 2 years, I also saw the dire need for more funding and better services in our Family Courts and Children's Division.

As a veteran myself, I am committed to ensuring that we take care of those who gave so much for us.

My top priority would be to make sure that we fund our public schools and pay our teachers at a level that actually reflects their importance to our children and our future. For far too long the state of Missouri has been at the bottom nationally in school funding and teacher's salaries. This situation needs to be rectified yesterday.