Robert W. Butler, D-Barnhart, and Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, are each trying to capture the 112th state representative seat left open when current Rep. Paul Wieland filed for 22nd District state senator.
Butler works as an attorney and Vescovo is a self-employed businessman.
District 112 covers portions of north and central Jefferson County.
State representatives serve two-year terms. The pay is $35,915 per year, a weekly allowance for miles traveled going to and returning from meetings, and expenses for each day the General Assembly is in session.
Butler, 50, lives at 4594 Klable Road, Barnhart. He and his wife, Miriam Butler, have four children. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1986 and a law degree in 1989 from the University of Missouri in Columbia. He works as an attorney with Butler & Kemper, Attorneys at Law. He served on the St. Louis County Economic Council 1991-1992, and as a member and president of the parish council of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Arnold.
Vescovo, 37, lives at 2731 Riebold Drive, west of Arnold. He and his wife, Amanda Vescovo, have four children. He is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University and is self-employed. He is active with Cub Scout Pack 830, serving as its assistant Cubmaster from 2012 to 2013 and as committee chairman since 2013. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Jefferson County Port Authority.
Endorsements: National Rifle Association (NRA); Missouri Right to Life (MRTL); Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Missouri Speaker of the House Tim Jones; Jefferson County Executive Ken Waller; Jefferson County Recorder of Deeds Debbie Dunnegan; Jefferson County Councilman Kelly Waymon; Jefferson County Councilman Bob Boyer; Former State Sen. Bill Alter; Former State Sen. John Loudon; former candidate for governor Dave Spence; former candidate in District 112 Avery Fortenberry; Dr. Gina Loudon, host of “Smart Life with Dr. Gina” on Money Biz Life Network.
What role, if any, should the General Assembly take to regulate abortion?
Butler: I am pro-life and will support legislation that protects the rights of unborn children. An abortion is a decision that causes great emotional trauma to the women who feel compelled to take this action. We cannot simply ban abortion and turn our back on many of the related issues. It is the General Assembly’s obligation to provide access to preventive care and education so as to minimize the number of women facing unwanted pregnancies. Further, we must provide better health care for women and families for prenatal and general family health issues.
Vescovo: As someone who was adopted as a child, the abortion issue is very personal to me and my pro-life views are deeply held. That’s why I’m the only candidate for state representative in District 112 endorsed by Missouri Right to Life. I believe the state does have a role to play in protecting life, and should make abortion as rare as possible.
Give some examples of when you have split with your party's position on issues.
Butler: When it comes to issues of conscience I have never been reluctant to stand on principle. I am pro-life, and while that may differ from the national party platform, it is both a matter of faith and personal belief for me. I am also a supporter of the Second Amendment and will vote along with other Jefferson County representatives to uphold those rights.
Vescovo: I am a conservative, then a Republican. I don’t approve of the direction President Obama has taken the Democratic Party or our country. But make no mistake; I’m going to Jefferson City to work with anyone of any party who will help attract economic growth and more family-supporting jobs to Jefferson County. Unlike some in the Republican Party, I oppose tax giveaways to the wealthy.
Another example of my breaking ranks is my nonsupport of Republicans at the federal level supporting intrusive, freedom-threatening surveillance programs that target innocent, law-abiding citizens. I have opposed them and will oppose any efforts at the state level to undo the freedoms we enjoy.
Under what circumstances would you support an increase in Missouri's gasoline tax?
Butler: I consider a gasoline tax to be a regressive tax. It unfairly increases taxes on the poorest members of our community who cannot afford to purchase the more economical gas-saving vehicles on the market. I believe this places a disproportionate burden on these individuals and would not favor a gas tax. Missouri currently has a 17.3-cent tax per gallon on gasoline, and the Federal Government imposes an 18.4 cent tax. However, I do recognize that Missouri has the fifth-lowest of any gas taxes in the country. This type of taxation does provide additional revenue from outside industry, which utilizes our road system transporting products to and through the state. So I would be open to a small increase only if it can be applied to interstate commerce rather than middle-class families.
Vescovo: I oppose any effort to raise the gas tax, just as 62 percent of Jefferson County residents did in the August election. As I talk to voters across the district, I hear that many family budgets are tight. Paychecks don’t keep up with rising costs for food, utilities, and health care. We must first dig deeper into our state budget to cut waste and invest in new growth in existing revenues before even considering a tax hike. I support directing more of the state budget directly to construction and improvement of our bridges and roadways. We must fund improvements to reduce congestion, improve safety, and eliminate potholes and road hazards.
What is the largest problem that needs to be fixed in Missouri's educational system and what action(s) should the Legislature take to correct it?
Butler: I want to ensure our local school districts receive their fair share of state funding. The current school foundation formula is unfair, causing resources to be distributed in a disproportionate manner. This leaves many school districts short on resources and unable to compete with wealthier school districts. Districts without a good local tax base spiral downward. This has contributed to the loss of accreditation in the Normandy School District and the risk of such loss of accreditation in the City of St. Louis School district.
The only solution offered by the General Assembly seems to be to bus students from failing districts. That is an unfair burden to districts that have done a good job. We must implement a plan that allows continued local control over schools; assures that the foundation formula is more fairly applied; and provide the resources our children, teachers and local school boards need to succeed.
Vescovo: We need more local control of our schools and fewer government mandates like the Common Core. I oppose Common Core because I trust parents, teachers, and local school boards to best decide how to educate our children. State and federal funding should not come with strings attached that limit the flexibility to provide the best education. I’m a proud product of public schools and I’m a proud parent of public school students, so I’ll fight hard to ensure our schools get the resources they need to prepare our youth for the best future possible.
What changes, if any, do you support in Missouri's campaign finance laws?
Butler: Missouri’s campaign finance and ethics laws are some of the worst in the country. Missouri is the only state that allows unlimited lobbyist gifts and unlimited contributions. First we need to establish contribution limits and provide a means to enforce them. Having one individual contribute $2.5 million to the incoming Speaker of the House, who controls what legislation sees the light of day, is tantamount to bribery. We need to level the playing field so that no one person can use their vast resources to disproportionately influence the Legislature with enormous monetary donations. We also need to develop a system that prevents the laundering of political contributions to prevent circumventing the limits. We should also ban lobbyist gifts to legislatures. No one should be running for public office for free meals or free tickets.
Vescovo: Most voters I talk to agree with me that campaigns cost too much money. We must make sure voters can clearly understand where these dollars are coming from, so I favor a rigorous system of disclosure and transparency. I want to clean up Jefferson City with overdue ethics legislation that will end lobbyist gifts, eliminate pay-to-play, close revolving doors and curb the influence of big-money special interest groups.
Why are you a better choice than your opponent?
Butler: I have degrees in accounting and law, which gives me a firm understanding of two of the major aspects of being a legislator: writing laws and understanding fiscal issues.
In my law practice, I represent people every day who need someone to speak on their behalf. This has prepared me to be an advocate for the people of Jefferson County. I know how important it is to listen to the people you seek to represent, which is why I've knocked on more than 5,000 doors. They've told me we need elected officials of conscience, with the courage to fight the corrupting influence of big money special interests and put an end to influence peddling in Jefferson City.
We need representatives who will promote jobs, not gridlock; improve our schools; protect consumers; defend the middle class; and who will simply do what’s right for the people of Missouri.
Vescovo: I come from a small business and job creation background. My top priority will be policies that attract more family-supporting jobs and economic growth to Jefferson County.
My opponent is a trial attorney who sues employers for a living. The difference couldn’t be any clearer. Unlike my opponent, who has a track record of supporting Barack Obama, other liberal candidates, and liberal policies, I’ve been endorsed by the National Rifle Association because of my conservative commitment to protect our cherished rights and freedoms. I offer a pro-jobs, pro-family, pro-freedom agenda that I believe voters in District 112 will embrace.