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Democrat
Biographical information:
Please tell of experience that you feel makes you the better candidate for State Representative.
I have served in the Air Force where I was a Sergeant. I have served as treasurer of Christian Life Church and as recording secretary of Laborers Local #1104. I am currently serving as president and field representative of the local. All of these positions are service positions that require record keeping, leadership qualities, people skills, and common sense capabilities. I wish to serve in this capacity to fight for the rights of all Missourians and their ability to support their families.
Do you feel that the state of Missouri needs more reform of its tax credit system?
I believe that the tax credits need redirected away from frivolous pork barrel projects to such things such as education, protecting our seniors, our veterans, and stemming job growth.
In your opinion, how do we best balance the state's budget in the coming years?
The first thing would be to re-elect Jay Nixon. All states, unlike any of the federal entities, have to ballance their budget annually. What better way than with a qualified work force making a decent wage, with good benefits, unlike those in "right to work" states.
Please address your support or opposition to the Right to Work issue and define your stance.
Who in Missouri does not have the "right to work?" Nobody. The evil genius that thought of that term has only one thing in mind, and that is to gut worker's rights. If Missouri becomes a Right to Work state, wages will remain stagnant until they drop. Then people will be in an even lower tax bracket. Then how do we balance the budget? I'm very certain the plan is to tax the poor more, and close their loopholes.
Dennis Fowler
Republican
Biographical information:
My name is Dennis Fowler. I graduated from Puxico High School. I attended two years of college at Southern Baptist College and finished my BS degree at Southeast Missouri State University. My wife, Ava, and I have been married 42 years. We have two children and four grandchildren. Ava and I are both Navy veterans. I am a member of the American Legion in Dexter and a member of the National Rifle Association.
Please tell of experience that you feel makes you the better candidate for State Representative.
I have worked in this area for the past 38 years. I have been a Deputy Sheriff and a Chief of Police, as well as a Juvenile Officer and a Parole Officer. All of these positions have provided me with experience in all levels of city, county and state government. I supervised employees and prepared and submitted budgets in these positions. I am presently serving on the Board of Directors of the SEMO Electric Cooperative, to which I was elected in 2008. In that position, I deal with an ongoing struggle with government policies in an effort to keep electric rates as low as possible. I understand the consequences of out of control government regulation and the cost to working people.
Do you feel that the state of Missouri needs more reform of its tax credit system?
I believe the tax credit system needs to be carefully monitored to make sure tax credits are allowed only to programs that provide for the good of all Missourians. Taxes should not be lowered for some when all working people are having a hard time just getting by.
In your opinion, how do we best balance the state's budget in the coming years?
I feel the best way to help balance the budget is to make reasonable cuts in State spending. Remove unhelpful regulations and rules that do nothing but hinder small businesses and farmers. Limit the threat of continued EPA regulations and let people have some stability in what their expenses will be in the future. When this is done, people will feel more comfortable spending and state income will increase. Working people are fearful of the future right now and need to know their government is on their side. That is not the case now.
Please address your support or opposition to the Right to Work issue and define your stance.
This has been an issue for several years in this state. I have looked at the issue and have seen the negative and positive from each side. I try to be open minded to every issue. I do feel, however, in this economic climate, if we are to compete with Right to Work states for large manufacturing companies to locate in this area, our best option is Right to Work.