Missouri Senate, 30th District: Craig Hosmer, Democrat

Craig Hosmer, Democrat

Craig Hosmer has spent 12 years in the legislature and is a practicing attorney with Springfield law firm William H. McDonald & Associates.

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

"One, is making sure our expenditures are appropriate and start looking at our priorities. I think we spend some money inappropriately. I think sometimes with travel for state legislators, for instance.

On transportation, Hosmer suggests holding asphalt and road construction contractors more responsible for their work. "As soon as they pull their equipment off, if something happens to that road, we pick up the tab. I think if we could have some sort of minimum guarantee, I think the contractors would say, If this road doesn't perform for five years, we're going to fix it.' They're going to spend more time and do the job right the first time."

What is your plan to stimulate Missouri's economy?

He considers public/private partnerships in Springfield like the industrial parks and Jordan Valley projects as "excellent examples of what we can do to stimulate growth. We have to make it as easy as possible for business to expand in those areas that are good for Missouri," like farming and tourism, he said.

"We're losing manufacturing jobs and replacing those with service jobs. We need to actively go out and recruit these types of businesses that are high on research. But you've got to have strong research facilities" available through the state's universities.

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

"I think we need to look at pooling for small businesses. I think that if you pool (businesses) the per unit cost could be driven down. It allows small businesses to have some market share control and (puts them) in a better position to get lower rates."

by Eric Olson

SBJ Reporter