Missouri Representative, District 136: B.J. Marsh, Republican

B.J. Marsh, Republican

Marsh was elected to the House in 1988 and 1990, and was re-elected to his current term in November 2000. A member of the Appropriations General Administration Committee, he is unopposed in this race.

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

That's going to be tough; we've just got to cut back on spending and where to cut back? Every time you cut back it affects someone and they're unhappy.

We do have to find a funding formula and better ways to fund education.

"I will tell you this, I think we have to find better ways to fund everything than through property taxes. I think the property owner is carrying too much of the load right now. A lot of the states are going to the sales tax rate and adjusting or trying to, but if the voters don't vote for it you're back to a catch 22."

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

"I think it has to be a combination. We have to be concerned about our senior citizens. But I'll tell you right now medical has to be a top priority along with education, along with police, (but) you can't go to making laws that hurt your businessperson out here, because that's where a lot of your tax revenue's coming from."

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

"There's really no clear-cut answer." Limits on lawsuits is one method of addressing the problem. He added, "I think people have a misconception on some of this. I think the doctors are certainly not getting rich, but probably a lot of people think they are. I wouldn't want to be in a doctor's shoes and be forced to doctor certain people for certain prices, would you?"

What is your position on workers' compensation reform?

I think it wouldn't hurt to overhaul the entire workers' comp program, because it's really hurting the small business owner.

by Clarissa French

Managing editor