Missouri Representative, 137th District: Mark Wright, Republican

Mark Wright, Republican

Wright was elected to his first term in 1998, and he serves on the Appropriations Education Committee and the Banking Committee.

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

Wright favors closer scrutiny of and, ultimately, justification for every dollar spent at the state level based on "zero-based budgeting" or "performance-based budgeting." He thinks such an evaluation could be conducted at least every other year.

"We've never done a thorough review of how these moneys are being spent in a lot of these divisions and these departments in state government. You know, essentially, what happens every year is the debate not on every dollar that they receive, but just on the increase that they're going to get."

On transportation, Wright said while the state's overall budget has nearly doubled in the last 10 years from $9 billion to $19 billion, its transportation budget is down 7 percent. "Instead of asking for tax increases, we need to put more of current state dollars into transportation needs." He added, the state has "failed miserably" in providing for transportation needs.

On education, Wright would support a state constitutional amendment increasing the state's educational budget to a full one-third, up from 25 percent. He supported the Classroom Trust Fund bill designed to separate gaming proceeds from the general fund and then allocate those funds to school districts on a per pupil basis.

What is your plan to stimulate the Missouri economy?

Wright said Missouri was number one in job loss. Reducing the tax burden and regulations driving businesses out of the state, while helping small businesses gain access to health care would improve the situation and help reverse trends occurring over the last few years.

How will you address the rising cost of health insurance and its impact on small businesses?

Wright would consider tax deductions for employer insurance premiums or giving them tax credits toward insurance costs.

by Paul Schreiber

SBJ Reporter