WILLIAMS AND ERNST WILL FACE OFF IN NEWLY-DRAWN 159TH DISTRICT REP RACE

For State Rep. Marilyn Williams, the redistricting process has left her with an opportunity to meet a lot of new people - about 12,000 in all - to regain her seat in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Williams was elected in February of 1991 after Jerry Howard won a special election to the Senate. But the new 159th district she will run in has some new parts of her home Stoddard County, and includes a part of Scott County around the cities of Chaffee, Oran and Morley. She loses the part of Bollinger County, the Puxico portion of Wayne County and the Bernie area of Stoddard County that were in her old district.

"I've got a lot of new people to meet, but many of them thought I was their representative already," said Williams, whose family has an aqua-culture operation near Dudley.

Williams is challenged for a second term by Republican Terry Ernst, who has been a reporter for the Dexter Daily Statesman newspaper. Ernst contends that after sitting on the sidelines covering government the last eight years, he feels the time has come for him to become involved.

"I'm looking forward to working under Democratic leadership," said Williams. "I feel like I have done an excellent job and have gained knowledge that I can build on from the last two years to be more beneficial in my service to the people."

Ernst, whose duties on the paper included coverage of Williams, said he senses a need for change. His large campaign signs display a drawing of a broom, urging voters to sweep present officeholders out.

"I've been sitting on the sidelines as an observer of government the last eight years and feel that I have some qualifications and talents that people might like to have in that type of position," explained Ernst.

"I have also noticed a sense of disregard for public wishes at times and feel like some of that needs to be changed. I think I offer a clear distinction on representing the interests of the people, rather than those of a party line or special interest groups."

Williams says she is running on her record "of hard work and responsiveness to the people. I pride myself on taking responsibility. I did not get into politics to be active in my community. I don't just read what's going on in the paper and take it for granted - I jump in with both feet."

Ernst has criticized Williams, charging that she votes too often with big city Democrats and liberal leadership in the Missouri House.

During the last week of the campaign, Ernst is focusing on three votes cast by Williams during this year's session.

On Feb. 11, Ernst said Williams voted for an amendment to the gas tax bill that allowed the highway department to take over maintenance of some roads in the city of St. Louis, which he contends took money away from rural areas.

"Sending more money to St. Louis means there is less for rural areas," said Ernst. "It still would have passed even if Marilyn had not voted for it. She should have voted rural rather than urban."

On May 12, Ernst said Williams voted for an amendment, which failed by three votes, to weaken the Hancock Amendment. He also criticizes Williams for voting against the workers compensation reform bill. She was one of only nine in the state to oppose it.

"I voted against it because it did nothing," declared Williams, in explaining her vote on workers comp. "Within a month of the end of the session, a workers comp rate increase of 23 percent was proposed.

"Most people who keep up with workers comp realize it did nothing to help give relief for the premiums. I have had more people fussing with me over the legislature not doing anything on workers comp last year," said Williams.

As the owner of several small businesses, including the Fiddlers Restaurants in Dexter and Malden, Williams said she realizes the impact of workers comp and how it is driving some small businesses under.

Williams said she will work for legislation this year to bring real reforms and a reduction in rates.

In the next session, Williams said a top priority will be preparing a new school foundation formula for equal distribution.

"Many schools went on the ballot to increase their own tax levy; some passed and some were defeated, but genuine relief will have to come from an equitable foundation formula with a hold harmless agreement," said Williams.

Ernst added, "Developing a new foundation formula for the equitable distribution of state funding to local school districts is a primary responsibility of state legislators that has been relinquished to the court system."

He is proposing a plan to equalize property taxes among school districts by placing a percentage of commercially assessed valuation in a statewide pool that could be distributed among all students. "This would help to alleviate the problem of vast differences in local resources among individual school districts," said Ernst.

Ernst is opposed to universal health care and believes the federal government should take the lead in addressing the issue.

"If we decide as citizens of Missouri that the national government isn't going to do anything for us, let's look at a plan that allows us to use our resources in a way that won't be an extensive burden."

Williams points out that the two biggest concerns she hears from the people are health care and the need for additional jobs.

Referring to health care, Williams said "it is a national problem that is not isolated to Missourians. I feel like our national government has got to address that issue and take charge."

Williams opposes term limits, particularly at the state level.

"We have a pretty high turnover rate anyway," she said. "You will have those few that stay in for a long time, but to me at our level, most people know their representative or senator personally and if they feel they are not doing a good job and being responsive they will vote them out of office. It worries me that we are taking away our right to choose who represents us."

Ernst said he will vote for the term limit amendments. "Term limits are not the exact answer for what our country and state faces, however, it seems like a workable solution to the institutional problems of the legislative process."

Williams is a past president of the Dexter Chamber of Commerce and in 1986 was chosen as "Small Business Person of the Year" for the eastern half of Missouri by the St. Louis RCGA. She and her husband Rick have two sons, Richard 17, and Roy Lynn 12.

She has been active with the senior citizen nutrition centers, a Sunday School teacher, and active in many youth activities.

In the House, Williams serves on the committees for elementary and secondary education; appropriations for health and mental health; agriculture; governmental organization, and is vice chairman of fees and salaries.

Ernst, 42, lives in Oran with his fiancee who has two children. He was raised on a farm near Biehle and has a high school degree from St. Vincent's College Seminary in Cape Girardeau and a business management degree from Southeast Missouri State university.

After working at several different jobs, he entered the newspaper business in 1984 in Perryville. He has been active in the Jacyees and was on the Perryville School Board from 1985-88.

He also worked for the newspaper in Chaffee for 15 months before going to Dexter.