Issues
Healthcare
People want quality, affordable healthcare. But they also want to choose their own doctors and hospitals. As a legislator I have sponsored legislation to enact market based reforms so that health care, like every other item on the market, can come down in price as a result of fair competition. There is no good reason good care must be so expensive that many go uninsured. But the special interests that get rich from the monopolies and high prices have blocked those attempts. As your state senator I will be in a much better position to achieve such reforms, and I will work to pass an "any willing provider" law to ensure that Missourians can choose their own doctors.
Legislation I have sponsored or co-sponsored:
HB1855Prohibits hospitals from requiring physicians to agree to make patient referrals as a condition of receiving medical staff membership or privileges
HCR66Urges Attorney General Koster to investigate the constitutionality of the Nebraska Compromise to federal health care legislation made by Senator Ben Nelson
HCR77Calls on the Attorney General to file an independent lawsuit or join 13 state attorneys general in their lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the federal health care reform legislation
HJR57Proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting any person, employer, or health care provider from being compelled to participate in any health care system
Fiscal Responsibility
I believe that you can spend your money far more wisely than any government program or agency can. That's why I'm proud of the fact that since I first took office in the Missouri House, we have turned state budget deficits into budget surpluses without raising taxes on you and your family. As your state senator, I'll work to keep taxes low so you can keep more of your own money, and make sure that the tax dollars you send to Jeff City are spent wisely and that our state government doesn't spend money we don't have.
Legislation I have sponsored or co-sponsored:
HJR87Proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting appropriations in any fiscal year from exceeding certain limits
HJR93Proposes a constitutional amendment declaring that all persons have a natural right to economic freedom
HB1377Requires all state elected officials and certain recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits to be tested for the illegal use of controlled substances
HB1711Requires the Department of Social Services to implement and enforce a policy which subjects employees to termination for failure to report suspected illegal drug use or fraud by public assistance recipients
HCR25Claims sovereignty for the states under the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution for all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government under the Constitution
HCR38Urgently requests the United States Congress to cease and desist from imposing unfunded mandates on the states
HCR32Urges the United States Congress to refuse to enact cap and trade legislation establishing a cap on greenhouse gas emissions which will result in increased costs of goods and services
HJR56Proposes a constitutional amendment replacing the individual and corporate income tax and sales and use tax with a fair sales tax on retail sales of new tangible property and taxable services
HB27
Authorizes an income tax deduction from a taxpayer's Missouri adjusted gross income for 100% of any military retirement income, regardless of age or income
Education
I believe that our children's education is vital for the future of Missouri and our nation. It is also a constitutional priority. Since I have been in office, we have increased funding for education and created a new foundation funding formula to make sure that schools have the resources they need to give our children a quality education. As your state senator, I'll make sure we continue to make education a priority in Missouri and work to ensure that our education dollars are spent wisely and that our teachers receive the training and resources necessary to give our children the best possible education.
Legislation I have sponsored or co-sponsored:
HB1240 Authorizes a state income tax deduction for tuition costs for any dependent of a resident taxpayer enrolled in any elementary or secondary school or postsecondary education institution in this state
HB1504Expands eligibility for the Missouri Returning Heroes' Education Act scholarship and specifies that homeschooled students must receive the same financial aid consideration as non-homeschooled students
HB498
Establishes the Milton Friedman "Put Parents in Charge" Education Program and authorizes an individual and business tax credit for contributions to certified educational charitable organizations
2nd Amendment
I believe that the 2nd amendment is clear when it says "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed". During my time in the Missouri House, Missourians' firearms rights have been expanded, including passage of legislation allowing law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons with a permit. As your state senator I will stand against any unconstitutional proposals to limit your right to keep and bear firearms.
Legislation I have sponsored or co-sponsored:
HB1206Lowers the age at which a person can obtain a concealed carry endorsement from 23 to 21 years of age and increases the period of time an endorsement is valid from three years to five years
HCR40Opposes any federal infringement on citizens' right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution
Pro-Life
As a family physician, I value the gift of life, and I oppose abortion—especially late term abortions. I have voted against abortion at every opportunity. I oppose any state funding of embryonic stem cell research. As your state senator I will lead the fight for fewer abortions in Missouri and vote against spending tax dollars for embryonic stem cell research.
Legislation I have sponsored or co-sponsored:
HB1365Specifies that no pharmacy can be required to perform, assist, recommend, refer to, or participate in any act or service resulting in an abortion and it will be immune from liability for refusing to do so
HB586
Prohibits the use of public funds for health and social services programs to subsidize abortion services
HJR38
Proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting the expenditure of public funds for abortion services, human cloning, or certain human research