Missouri Representative, 137th District: Charlie Norr, Democrat

Charlie Norr, Democrat

Norr is a retired firefighter captain and Navy veteran, and he is former president of the Woodland Heights Neighborhood Association.

What is your plan to get the state budget back in line?

Norr's answer to Missouri's budget crisis is to utilize the state's natural resources to their fullest extent. "We have a lot of resources in this state: corn, soybeans, bio-fuels, forestry, gaming. If these could be utilized and marketed, I think it would solve all of our budget problems.

However, he doesn't think the sin' taxes on alcohol, gambling and the new proposed cigarette tax are the answer. "I'm not real sure about them. A lot of people say we're going to raise the state revenue $340 million a year with the cigarette tax. I don't see that happening, but it's up to the people. If it passes, it's up to the General Assembly ... to utilize it properly. If it passes, it's to go into the health field. We have to make sure it goes as directed."

On education, Norr doesn't see a problem in educational funding. He would like to see the state step in on the bus system problem in Springfield.

What is your plan to stimulate the Missouri economy?

"We need to get larger manufacturing type businesses into the area. They are leaving by the busloads. I think the state should do whatever it can to keep those businesses here, whether it's a break on utilities or a break on property taxes. Small business is good, but I think we need larger manufacturing jobs to be kept in the state that will keep people employed."

Small business is the backbone of Springfield. The state should do what it can to keep those businesses here. The federal government needs to get jobs back into manufacturing."

On health insurance:

"The state should allow (small businesses) to form a coalition" to receive insurance benefits under an umbrella. ... The state should allow them to join together, and the insurance companies should recognize that."

by Eric Olson

SBJ Reporter