It’s been awhile since residents of District 118 have had a chance to elect a new member of the state House of Representatives.
Two years ago, Ben Harris, a Democrat, ran unopposed for his fourth two-year term, the final one he could serve under Missouri’s term limits rules.
Seeking to succeed him are Republican Mike McGirl of Potosi, who served as Washington County collector from 1991 to 2015, and Democrat Barbara Marco of De Soto, who works in landscape design and installation.
McGirl lost to Harris four years ago.
State senators and representatives receive a $35,915 annual salary plus mileage and $115 per day in expenses for each day the General Assembly is in session.
McGIRL, 65, lists his address as P.O. Box 425, Potosi. He and his wife, Diane, have three children and a grandchild. He is a self-employed certified public accountant. A 1971 graduate of Potosi High School, he attended Mineral Area College and he has a degree in business and accounting from the College of the Ozarks. He is a member of the Rotary, the Knights of Columbus and Elks for more than 30 years. He is a member of the Potosi, De Soto and Hillsboro chambers of commerce.
Social media: Facebook: McGirl for State Rep
MARCO, 65, lives at 12537 Peter Moore Lane, De Soto. She has two children and five grandchildren. She works in landscape design and installation for Marco Builders and Landscape. She was a computer programmer and analyst who started Marco Data Service and Windy Hill Nursery. She received an associate degree in data processing from St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley and a horticulture certificate from St. Louis Community College-Meramec. She is a member of the De Soto Lions, a charter member of the Women Dems, a member of the Jefferson County Democratic Central Committee, a member of Jeffco MO Engaged Citizens, member of Washington County Democrats and a volunteer with De Soto Citizens for Flood Relief. She was on the board of the University of Missouri Extension, was a volunteer at Jefferson Memorial Hospital and was the president of Business and Professional Women in 1984.
Social media: Website: MarcoForMissouri.com Facebook: Marco For Missouri
What are your thoughts on how to protect insurance coverage for Missourians who have pre-existing conditions?
McGirl: Presently under the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies are required to cover individuals with pre-existing conditions.
Marco: I support Medicare for all, which would be publicly funded with taxes and privately delivered by doctors. America ranks 28th in the world in life expectancy, 17th in the world in quality of care and spends roughly twice as much. No other industrialized country does this. Health care costs are the largest threat to families, businesses and the economy. Studies show that America can cover everyone and cut premiums in half, with no restrictions on pre-existing conditions. But first, we have to reign in Big Pharma greed and lobbyist-owned legislators.
Missourians voted overwhelmingly against a “right to work” amendment in the August election. Legislative leaders have said they may introduce a similar bill next year. If “right to work” comes up during your term, how will you vote and why?
McGirl: No. I don’t support “right to work” and the voters of the district and Missouri have overwhelmingly voted against it.
Marco: If legislators really want to make America great again, they would support unions. Fifty years ago, one-third of the work force was unionized. Today, it’s less than 7 percent. As union strength declined, the middle class declined as well. The little guy lost his voice. Big business now controls legislators with donations and dark money. Workers in “right-to-work” states are paid 12.2 percent less, are less likely to have health insurance, have a higher poverty rate, higher infant mortality rate, higher workplace fatality rate and invest less in education. The five poorest states are “right to work.”
Will you vote for or against Proposition D, the transportation tax on the November ballot? Why?
McGirl: Against. The burden of the tax will be placed on working families. I do support Missouri voters getting the opportunity to vote for or against the proposition.
Marco: I will vote “no.” Missouri Republican legislators just cut corporate taxes by one third. To pay for this corporate gift and tax shortfall, the GOP super-majority is asking hard-working families to pay an additional 10 cents per gallon in gasoline tax. They are shifting the tax burden from the rich to everyone else. And, only 35 percent goes to roads and bridges. The rich must pay their fair share of taxes, and tax breaks should go to working families.
If the U.S. Supreme Court rules that Roe v. Wade is a state matter, what would you advocate for?
McGirl: I am pro-life.
Marco: I don’t like either label, “pro-life” or “pro-choice.” I have a Down syndrome grandson. We knew early in the pregnancy that Vinney would have special needs. It takes a special family to raise a handicapped child, and I believe decisions like this should not be made by the government. I will fight for women’s access to health care so no woman ever finds herself with an unwanted pregnancy. Colorado developed a program to offer birth control, which reduced unwanted pregnancies by 40 percent, abortions by 42 percent and saved $70 million in public assistance.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
McGirl: I’m a certified public accountant with more than 34 years of experience working with individuals and small businesses and Missouri has a budget of nearly $29 billion. There are no CPAs in the House. My goals are to use my knowledge, skills and experience to be a strong voice for the district in Jefferson City with the various issues facing us all, from education, jobs, taxes, regulations, protecting the sanctity of life and the Second Amendment.
Marco: My goals are to:
■ Listen to and serve the voters.
■ Refuse all lobbyist gifts.
■ Support working families.
■ Treat all people with dignity and respect.
■ Work hard to earn the trust of the voters.
■ Reach across the aisle.
■ Stick to the truth and facts.
■ Fully fund education.
■ Grow Missouri’s economy.