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Northeast News
July 27, 2016

MO Senate District 11

John Rizzo – D

Top priorities: Economic development, education, and protecting worker’s rights

Endorsements: Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, Former State Senator Victor Callahan, Missouri State Council of Firefighters, Carpenters’ Regional Council, Communication Workers of America, Missouri State Conference of Electrical Workers, Missouri NEA

In their own words:On helping the city enforce regulations against dangerous buildings in the Northeast: “As a co-sponsor of Land bank legislation, the next thing that we could do is to further assist cities to help get these abandon/vacant homes into the hands of those who are willing to redevelop them or if they have fallen into complete disrepair tear them down. Our legislation did just that; it cut the red tape of government to put these homes into the hands of good people who want to help the community.”

Jessica Podhola – D

Top priorities: Medicaid expansion, right of unions to collectively bargain, and the wage gap

Endorsements: Taunia Adams, Terry Akins, Lisa Bindley, Andrea Bough, John Boyd, Elaine Brewer, Mindy Brissey, Sam Burnett, Neal Byers, Nicki Cardwell, Frank Carpenter, Martin Casas, Greg Chastain, Dave Coleman, Karen Conrad, David Cox, John Cox, MaryLou Cupp

Shawn DelGado, Victoria Dixon, Todd Doree, Michael Downing, Joyce Downing, Christopher Eager, Gavin Fletchall, Jen Fletchall, Demetrio Garcia, Kevin Garner, Jim Giokaris, Rachel Gonzalez, Amanda Good, Alan Gorsh, Scott Grandon, Gary Grigsby, Nellie Grigsby, Anita Grigsby, Mike Hardin, Robert Haslag, Lehman Heaviland, Jon Hile, Dan Hink, Bridget Hink, Taylor Hirth, Randall Huggins, Jordan Hunt, Winifred Jamieson, Peter Jarosewycz, Gary Johnson, Ron Johnson, Cody Kelsey, Kevin King, Dave Kirkpatrick, Shelly LaRose, Debbi Lehr, Phil Lehr, Joe Lewandowski, Chase Linder, Kimberly Luaces, Noah Maier, Angela Malone, Malcom Malone, Keith Mason, Erin McCandless, Mary McCarthy, Ken McClain, Cindy McClain, Ruth McLaughlin, Andrew Miller, Shane Miller, Matt Nappe, Jordan Overstreet, Mary Patient, Keith Querry, Sandy Querry, Alma Quick, Pete Raya, Norma Raya, Rebecca Richardson, Clay Rodgers, Lisa Rodgers, Tedi Rowland, Marvin Sands, Justin Schilling, Stephanie Schilling, Jason Schuler, April Schuler, Jim Skinner, Lori Smith, Cathy Spainhower, Richard Speidel, Kevin Stamps, Lee Stark, Patty Stark, Sarah Starnes, Loretta Stiens, James Stout, Jane Stout, Chuck Tarpley, Vicki Tarpley, Toni Thornton, John Thornton, Sheri Tindle, Lanna Ultican, Bruce VanCompernolle, Konnie VanCompernolle, Amber Versola, Loree Voigt, Laura Wagner, Lindsey Walker, Kelvin Walls, Colleen White, Steven Whitesides, Jaqueline Whiting, Barbara Willeford, Chuck Williams, Brad Williams, Crystal Williams, Sanford Willis, Paula Willmarth, James Woodson, Chairman Tom Wyrsch, DeAun Young, Asbestos Workers Political Account, Committee for County Progress, Construction and General Labors Local 264, Emily’s List, GKCWPC, Glaziers & Glassworkers Local 558, Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council, IUPAT, Kansas City Building and Trades, LeShyeka Roland, Missouri National Organization for Women PAC, Missouri Women’s Leadership Coalition, MO Women’s Leadership coalition, Molli’s List, Operative Plasterers and Cement Mason LU 518, Pipe Fitters Local 533, Planned Parenthood, Raytown Democratic Association, Roofers Local #20, Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 2, Sign Pictorial & Display Local 820, Sprinkler Fitter LU 314, Teamsters Local 541

In their own words: On preserving the history of the Northeast: “The Historic Tax Credit Program was designed for neighborhoods like the Northeast. As a small child who grew up on Mersington Ave, I know neighborhood revitalization is a community effort. So is preservation. In many ways the NE is a model for other neighborhoods in the metro.”

Anthony Banks – D

Top priorities: Raising the minimum wage, expanding Medicaid, and bringing about real campaign finance reform

Endorsements: None provided

In their own words:On gun control: “First, we need strong regulation keeping the violent and mentally ill from obtaining guns. Second, we need a ban on assault rifles and magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. Third, funding research on what actually works for curbing gun violence. And the fourth, we need a 24-hour wait period before any gun can be obtained after purchase.”

Brent Thurston Lasater – R

Top priorities: Open communication and accessibility with constituents, maintain and uphold the Constitution, and fair and balanced funding for education.

Endorsements: Missouri Right to Life

In their own words: On how he would consider the priorities of his constituents: “By being accessible, keeping lines of communication open, and listening. When I was a Representative, the constituents had my cell phone number and were often surprised that their Representative answered his own phone.”

MO House of Representatives District 19

Manny Abarca – D

Top priorities: Public safety, equitable education, and jobs

Endorsements: Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II, State Senator Shalonn “Kiki” Curls, State Representative Gail McCann-Beatty, State Representative Randy Dunn, State Representative Brandon Ellington, State Representative DaRon McGee, State Representative Bonnaye Mims, Kansas City Councilwoman Theresa Loar, Kansas City Councilman Quinton Lucas, Kansas City Councilwoman Jolie Justus, School Board Member Dr. Amy Hartsfield, Former School Board Member Marisol Montero, American Federation of Labor & Congress of Industrial Organizations, Committee for County Progress, Freedom, Inc., International Association of Firefighters Local 42, KCMO International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Laborers Local 663, Promo Pac, Plumbers and Gasfitters Local Union 8, Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Communications Workers of America, America’s Building Trades Union, Greater KC Building and Construction Trades Council.

In their own words: On public education funding: “I stand for fully funding the state’s education formula and ensuring that our public school system is not raided or degraded like our neighbors in Kansas. The legislature is taking direct actions to back-step it’s funding levels of our public school system, and we cannot afford the destruction of our schools and our kids’ quality of education! In addition to public education funding, we must find a solution for the Kansas City Missouri school system (which has been fundamentally shortchanging our students for decades), while also ensuring our city’s future will not be limited by failing schools. In order for Kansas City to thrive, all elected officials must recognize the failures of the school district, and come together to find creative and viable solutions for our students.

Ingrid Burnett – D

Top priorities: Education, health care, and economic development/protecting worker’s rights

Endorsements: Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus, Missouri State PROMO, National Organization for Women, State Senator Jason Holsman, State Representative Judy Morgan, Robert and Debbie Ray, Kieth and Sandy Querry, John Fierro, Cecil Williams, Sam and Margie Valenti, Walter Guth, Jean Ferrara

In their own words: On funding Medicaid: “I am in favor of measures that would make Medicaid more readily available in Missouri. HB 1565 increases the asset limits for permanent and totally disabled, blind and aged claimants from $1,000 to $2,000 starting in fiscal year 2018. One of my guiding principles are these words of Hubert Humphrey, “ The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life; the sick, the needy and the handicapped.”