SCHWAB TO SEEK ANOTHER TERM AS REPRESENTATIVE

JACKSON -- State Rep. David Schwab plans to seek re-election to the 157th District House seat.

The Jackson Republican has served in the Legislature the past 12 years.

Filing for the November election opens Tuesday.

Schwab said he would continue to push for more accountability in government while keeping bureaucracy to a minimum.

Schwab favors using the Missouri gambling money to bolster education spending. He said he wants the state to quit offsetting those expenditures by taking similar amounts of money out of the education budget.

"Our children are our most precious asset," said Schwab. "It is time that we stop playing shell games with the monies that were promised to our schools and start funding the local schools in the amounts needed."

Schwab said grant money s hould be sent directly to school boards with no strings attached.

On the issue of roads, Schwab said the state need to fulfill the promises made under the 15-year road plan.

Schwab said he will fight any highway plan that doesn't fulfill the original commitments made in the 15-year plan.

"St. Louis and Kansas City receive over 50 percent of the gas tax revenues. We see them constantly trying to take state monies for mass transit projects that do not make financial sense," he said.

Schwab wants the tobacco settlements payments to Missouri to be returned to Missouri families in the form of property tax relief, increases funding of local schools or tax cuts.

"Any attempt to take this money and expand government would be a travesty," he said.

He said he would continue his tradition of hosting family picnics for residents of his House district. The district covers most of Cape Girardeau County and part of Bollinger County.

Schwab and his wife, Phyllis, have three children: Melissa, Kevin and Chris. They also have five grandchildren.

The Schwabs attend St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson. He has served as president of the congregation and chairman of the Board of Elders.

In the Legislature, he serves on a number of committees. They include the budget, agri-business and transportation committees.