Candidate questionnaire: Jim Higgins

NAME: Jim Higgins

AGE: 64

PLACE OF BIRTH: Cleveland

SPOUSE, CHILDREN'S NAMES:

Spouse: LaDonna

EDUCATION:

BS Civil Engineering

OCCUPATION: Computer Systems Analyst

EMPLOYER: Olin Corporation

BUSINESSES OWNED, ALL OR PART: none

PUBLIC OFFICES HELD OR SOUGHT; GIVE DATES:

none

WEBSITE: LPMO4GOV.com

WHAT CAN THE GOVERNOR DO TO ATTRACT MORE JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO MISSOURI?

Actually the governor has little influence of Jobs created. Only private companies can only do that. We need to create an environment that is fair to every company without political favoritism. An environment where productivity and trade can flourish without government interference If the state provides tax incentives to some it will cost and reduce economic activity in the rest of the state. Reduce taxes; taxes drain much needed capital from the private market.

DOES THE STATE NEED MORE REFORM OF ITS TAX CREDIT SYSTEM?

Yes, tax credits for specific companies or projects have been abused. Contractors have used tax credits for unnecessary project. Poorly designed tax credits have caused problems. There is very little evidence that tax credits actually benefit the overall economy. They might help specific companies but drain much need capitol from other areas of the economy. Let the free market determine where capitol should be invested.

SHOULD THE LEGISLATURE TAKE INITIATIVE TO ESTABLISH A USE TAX FOR VEHICLE PURCHASES, OR SHOULD THE DECISION BE LEFT TO COUNTIES?

The decision should be left to the counties, and it would need to be put up for a vote by the people in that county through a use tax. According the Hancock II amendment all new taxes for a district needs to be voted on by the people of that district. The state legislature would violate Hancock II if it took the initiative and redefined the sales tax on its own.

MOVING FORWARD, HOW DO WE BEST BALANCE THE STATE BUDGET IN COMING YEARS?

Reduce the number of state employees. Institute a hiring freeze, and where possible provide services with private contractors with an open bidding process. Also provide incentives managers of state departments to not spend their full budget. If there is money left over a percentage of that can serve a bonus to department managers. Under no circumstances should taxes be raised. The bureaucrats just waste the money then ask for more.

CLOSING REMARKS:

The real political debate is not between Liberals and Conservatives. Each want more government for different reasons. The real debate is between those that want more government control and those that want freedom for the individual. Libertarians want less government across the board. We believe there is too much collusion between government, lobbyists and business. The state budget next year is 24 billion dollars. That's too much money for the politicians to play games with.