Missouri Representative, 138th District: Jim Lee, Democrat

Jim Lee, Democrat

Lee is on leave from his position as regional coordinator for the Missouri State Teachers Association.

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

Lee said legislators should "revisit the finance formula and get off this property tax burden for people, but it's going to take a huge coalition." Without increasing tax revenues "the only thing we can do is shift the burden around." Lee would opt for using the rainy-day fund for one-time expenses, but not for recurring expenditures.

On transportation, "toll roads may be the answer. ... If we could get the people who use the roads to pay for the roads, that would be a lot better than people who don't use the road paying for the roads." He was against Proposition B because of the sales tax involved.

On education funding, Lee would like to see a full one-third of the state's budget marked for educational purposes, but doubted that would happen.

Lee said funds allocated from gaming to school districts through proposed Classroom Trust Fund legislation would primarily end up in cities like St. Louis and Kansas City due to higher student numbers.

What is your plan to stimulate the Missouri economy?

"I think it would be presumptuous for any candidate in this race to say that we've got a plan to save the state."

"Missouri's not the only state that's in a budget crunch. .... The other 49 states are also." Lee said state reps can deliver the platitudes create more jobs, lower taxes but they aren't the experts. "The only thing I can say is, listen to the best minds around. What are these guys saying?"

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

"I think everyone should have access to affordable health care, and I think that you can choose the level of health care you want."

Is the Senior Rx program an issue the state should be spending money on, or should it be the responsibility of the federal government?

The program is "absolutely" something that the state should be doing. Lee wants to see the eligibility requirements expanded.

by Paul Schreiber

SBJ Reporter