NAEGER, EDWARDS FACE OFF IN 155TH DISTRICT RACE

PERRYVILLE -- State Rep. Patrick Naeger faces one challenger in November. The Perryville Republican is seeking re-election to a third term.

Democrat Diane Edwards of Brewer said she voted for Naeger when he won election to the House in 1994. But she has since become disillusioned with him and is challenging the incumbent for the 155th District seat.

Naeger said the Missouri Legislature needs to enact major tax cuts, and that it would be easier done if Republicans controlled the General Assembly.

Naeger has talked of tax cuts during his re-election campaign.

He said Missouri taxpayers have suffered through a continuing cycle of over taxation followed by tax refunds.

Edwards has stressed the need for adequate funding for public schools.

"Our children are our future. If we don't have them to fall back on, we don't have much to live for," said Edwards, a part-time dance teacher.

Edwards opposes a voucher system for education; Naeger supports it.

Edwards said a voucher system would take tax money away from the public schools to benefit private schools.

"I feel like our public sector needs to be taken care of first," she said.

But Edwards said she favors establishing cooperative programs between public and private schools.

Naeger wants to give parents a choice of sending their children to public or parochial school.

There are several parochial schools in Naeger's 155th District, which encompasses Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties.

"I favor educational choice whether through a voucher system or tax credit system," said Naeger.

He said it is only fair to provide such a mechanism for parents, who are paying tuition to send their children to private or parochial school and also taxes to support the public schools.

"I am profoundly in favor of giving moms and dads the right to choose what education is best for their children," he said.

Naeger doesn't believe vouchers would hurt the public schools.

If anything, it could encourage parochial school parents to vote for tax measures to help fund the public schools, he said.

Edwards said government should take steps to improve the health-care system in Missouri.

She said too many families can't afford health insurance.

She accused Naeger of voting against a bill that would have allowed small businesses and farmers to obtain health insurance through a state insurance pool.

But Naeger said he voted for the measure even though many of his Republican colleagues opposed it. The measure died in the Senate in the 1998 session.

Naeger, who operates a pharmacy and medical supply business, said health-care premiums have increased dramatically.

"Health care is just not very affordable for a lot of people," he said.

Naeger said he would like to see the government provide tax credits for out-of-pocket, premium expenses paid by families, individuals and small businesses for health insurance.

Naeger has pushed for a cut in the state income tax. He wants to eliminate the state sales tax on all food, including restaurant food.

In today's fast-paced society, eating out has become a necessity, he said, and people shouldn't be taxed on such food purchases.

Naeger also would like to scrap the current reliance on property taxes to fund public school districts.

"I think we need to think of a more fair, broad-based way of funding education," he said.

One way would be to rely more on sales and use taxes, Naeger said.

He said he is conservative when it comes to spending tax dollars.

"It is the taxpayers' money and I take very seriously my role in spending those dollars," Naeger said.

Edwards suggested Naeger isn't in touch with the working people in his district.

"You have to be in touch with reality and know what it is to work and strive," said Edwards, who operated a cleaning service for 15 years.

She said both Democratic and Republican lawmakers should be working for the benefit of the whole community, not partisan politics.

Edwards said she isn't looking to further a political career. "I think I can represent the community with my morals, honesty and values, and do it with pride and professionalism."

Naeger said he has tried to be accessible to his constituents.

He said his voting record for the most part reflects the views of his constituents.

Patrick Naeger

Republican

hometown: Perryville

age: 33

Education: Graduated from St. Vincent High School in Perryville, attended El Paso (Texas) Community College and Belleville Area College in Illinois where he obtained a paramedic certificate.

Job history: Served in the Army from 1983 to 1986. He currently is executive vice president of a pharmacy and medical supply business and president of Health Care Mobility Inc., an adaptive equipment company that makes vehicles and homes accessible to the handicapped.

Previous political offices: Elected Perry County coroner in 1988 and re-elected in 1992. Elected to the Missouri House in 1994 and again in 1996.

He and his wife, Karen, have two sons.

Diane Edwards

Democrat

hometown: Brewer

age: 40

Education: Graduated from Hazelwood Central High School in St. Louis County.

Job history: Owned a cleaning service for 15 years. Teaches dance part-time in Fredericktown at O'Dell La Premier Dance Centre. Previously worked as drug education coordinator for the Perry County School District.

Previous political offices: none. This is her first run for public office.

She and her husband, John, have three children.