Sarah Steelman: By the way, thank you for joining me today. I am excited about this opportunity to answer your questions and discuss my vision for the state.

Mark: What are your thoughts about abolishing Personal property tax in Missouri?
Should we pay tax every year on something we already paid a sales tax on?

Sarah Steelman: I’ve proposed a comprehensive tax reform plan that will bring $200 million of tax relief to Missouri families. One part of this proposal is to form a commission to review Missouri’s entire tax code, with the goal of putting more money back in the pockets of Missouri families and businesses. Abolishing the personal property tax is certainly something that should be on the table.

Nancy Coughlin: Why the negative ads? Your first commercial was wonderful for the first half, and then the ad turned negative on your opponent. Instead tell us about yourself and what you have done.

Sarah Steelman: Elections are about choices. Congressman Hulshof himself has admitted that his record is relevant. The ads are not negative, I have simply pointed out his record of wasteful spending in Congress. Furthermore, this is not just me saying this. Important conservative organizations such as the Club for Growth, Citizens Against Government Waste, and the Wall Street Journal have also criticized his record. It is important to note that he has never challenged the accuracy of any of my ads.

Brian R.: Urban decay and poverty is a problem that has been ignored in Missouri for far too long. As governor, what will you do to stimulate positive economic activity and lift people out of homelesness and poverty in North St. Louis and Kansas City? Additionally, how do you plan to address rural poverty?

Sarah Steelman: That is a very good question. I believe that any economy, including local economies, have to be allowed to grow themselves. One of the main problems in both Kansas City and St. Louis is the earnings tax. This 1% tax is levied nowhere else in Missouri. In St. Louis, you need look no further than the hole next to Busch Stadium to know that the status quo is not working. In addition, no major corporate headquarters has moved to downtown St. Louis in 50 years. The state should support economic growth in our cities. However, I know that this questioner is also wanting to talk about direct aid. One of the accomplishments that I am proudest of as Chairman of the Missouri Housing Development Commission was the help that I was able to provide to develop Salisbury Park. I’ve also supported affordable housing in rural Missouri and through the Treasurer’s BIG Missouri linked deposit program we have invested record amounts of money in rural enterprises and farms.

Tom: Do you support McCain for president?

Sarah Steelman: Yes

Joe Hodes, St. Louis: Ms. Steelman,

I was inclined to vote for you until I saw your ad on the ethanol mandate. While corn ethanol has been shown to play a tiny part in driving up food prices (far less than foreign demand, oil prices and speculation), it has driven DOWN the cost of gas by 10 cents or more a gallon.

There have been over a dozen studies by universities, economists, researchers and even the energy industry showing that ethanol REDUCES the cost of gasoline--Missouri's E10 mandate leads MO to have the CHEAPEST GAS in the nation.

Yet you say in your ad that the ethanol mandate has caused gas prices to rise. No one--even ethanol's other critics--has been foolish enough to make such a counter-factual statement.

How could you get your facts so wrong?

Thanks,

Joe Hodes
St. Louis, MO

Sarah Steelman: The facts speak for themselves. The studies from the Missouri Corn Growers and others don’t take into account the subsidies that we pay on our tax bills for ethanol. Secondly, they don’t take into account the decreased fuel efficiency of ethanol, meaning that you have to fill up your tank more times to go the same distance. I would invite you to read the Show-Me Institute’s recent study on the topic. The Show-Me Institute, unlike other groups, does not have a financial interest in ethanol. The Show-Me Institute study states that the ethanol mandate will cost Missourians over $1 billion over the next decade. This figure doesn’t even take into account the increased price of food caused by the mandate. I am the only candidate willing to stand up against the special interests who forced the ethanol mandate on our state. If ethanol can stand on its own two feet, let it do so in the free market.

Amy: Treasurer Steelman, When Congressman Hulshof first announced his ethics package, he noted that he would have the License Offices competively bid and not awarded as they have been in the past. Following his announcement, a member of your campaign staff sent an email to Republican donors that was ultimately forwarded to the Post-Dispatch, saying that Congressman Hulshof was out of touch with Missourians for proposing this and essentially if they wanted to continue to benefit from the system, they should vote for you. Was this the result of an over zealous staffer or does it accurately reflect your views of wanting to continue the License Office Political Patronage system?

Sarah Steelman: As Governor, I’m going to approach these contracts like any other state contract that has come across my desk as Treasurer: I will evaluate them on objective standards that prioritize efficiency, service, and performance. If you think Congressman Hulshof has promised to competitively bid all fee offices, you should review all of his statements on the subject as they are inconsistent.

Shaun Tooley: As Governor, what steps would you take to expand transportation options in the St. Louis and Kansas City regions?

What is your opinion on mass transit and providing greater state support for light rail, bus-rapid transit, and bus service in general?

Sarah Steelman: Under our present budget circumstance it would be unwise to divert money from highway building and maintenance to mass transit. I believe that good roads and bridges our essential to building a good economy for the future.

don miller: Sarah--what would you do as governor to bring people together that Matt Blunt arguably failed to do? For example, instead of creating division through obvious wedge issues like gay marriage and cutting benefits for the most needy, what REAL issues would you address that affect ALL Missourians and have significance in our daily lives?

Sarah Steelman: First, I was proud to author the Constitutional Amendment to protect marriage in Missouri. Marriage is the foundation of our society, and I don’t think efforts to protect it can be characterized as divisive. Second, I have outlined proposals during this campaign to address pressing issues in our state including illegal immigration, tax relief, ethics reform, education, energy, and the value of human life. Right now I am in the midst of a 60 stop “kitchen table tour” throughout this state. As Governor, everybody will have a seat at the table. I was raised to value everyone’s opinion, regardless of party affiliation and I will take that outlook with me to the Governor’s Office.

mark3069: I have heard several of your ads positioning yourself as a "pro-life conservative". While a pro-lifer myself I'm curious why you chose that particular label given the plethora of traditional conservative values under attack. Are you saying that issue is more important than other conservative planks like economic reform, small government, taxation etc.? Im curious how that distinguishes you from your opponent, Mr Hulshof? Thanks.

Sarah Steelman: I believe every life is precious and that this is a relevant and important issue for voters to consider. I am proud of my record of working to ban partial birth abortion, to create the REPSECT LIFE license plate, to provide birth certificates for stillborn fetuses, and to create a revolving loan fund to help finance the cost of adoption. I am the only candidate in this race to be endorsed by both Missouri Right to Life and the Susan B. Anthony List, both prominent pro-life organizations.

alstl: With the economy in such downward spiral, St. Louis does not have a bright future. Companies such as AB sold out and Wachovia just cut 10,000 jobs nationwide. What is your plan to attract big company headquarters to St. Louis?

Sarah Steelman: When Congress treats the dollar like it has no value, guess what? It will have no value. The reckless, wasteful spending supported by Congressman Hulshof and his colleagues in Washington, DC have created massive deficits and debts that our children and grandchildren will be saddled with. This out of control spending has devalued the dollar and made American companies prime takeover targets for foreign investors. One of the key proposals I have made during this campaign is to attract an oil refinery to Missouri. This will create good paying jobs and lower the cost of gas.

Mac: A great deal of the ideas and solutions you seem to espouse seems more rooted in Libertarianism rather than traditional conservativism (your position on ethanol, the MOST program, your position on the privatization of health care). Would you say that you are actually more Libertarian than Republican?

Sarah Steelman: I am a Republican, and in fact, the only conservative Republican in this race. Ronald Reagan inspired me to become involved in politics at a young age. In 1976, when Ronald Reagan ran for President against Gerald Ford, many of the so-called party establishment including Kit Bond did not support him. Conservatives like myself did and were impressed by his vision for America and his undying optimism. Supporting the government mandate for ethanol is not a conservative position.

david harper: Do you intend to rescind any part of Governor Blunt's cuts to Medicaid?

Sarah Steelman: Gov. Blunt was in a very difficult fiscal situation. Government can't be all things to all people. I may have handled the situation a little differently, but believe that the cuts were necessary to prevent our state from going bankrupt. Being Governor is about making tough choices. Unfortunately, Congressman Hulshof's record in Washington indicates that he is only willing to spend more and more without paying for it.

I appreciate everyone taking the time to chat with me today about the issues facing our state. If the issues I have discussed and the positions I have outlined are important to you, then I would appreciate your vote on August 5th!