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Independence, MO —
John Mayfield is the Democratic candidate for the District 20 seat in the Missouri House of Representatives. He is an analyst at the Central Bank of Kansas City and has two sons. He is running against incumbent Republican Brent Lasater.
1 What makes you a better representative for Independence in Jefferson City than your opponent?
I have a track record of working to help make Independence a better place. I am a lifelong resident of Independence. I raised my children here. I will never forget that I work for the residents of the 20th District. My campaign is supported and endorsed by many leaders in the area including the Independence and Fort Osage school districts. My opponent’s campaign is supported and endorsed by leaders in the Kansas City School District. I believe that prosecutors should have the option of the death penalty for the most horrific crimes where the evidence is overwhelming. My opponent wants to abolish the death penalty. I oppose tax increases. My opponent favors tax increases.
2 What is your position on Proposition B (the tobacco tax increase)?
The voters of Missouri will decide this issue. If this measure is approved, I can assure everyone that I will be a watchdog to make sure these funds go where the public intends. I will work to make sure that these funds are not subject to the usual accounting gimmicks in Jefferson City.
3 Teacher tenure was a hot button issue during the 2012 legislative session. What is your opinion on teacher tenure and what changes, if any, do you think should be made?
I fully support teacher tenure. It is very difficult to encourage people to go into teaching because the pay is low and the hours are long. Teacher tenure allows schools to recruit and keep good teachers who might otherwise go into other careers. I do not believe any changes in the teacher tenure law are necessary.
4 What do you think should and can be done to boost economic development in Missouri?
I believe that to boost economic development we need to do several things. First, we need to invest in education. Second, we need to focus on job training, tax cuts for small businesses and invest in infrastructure. We should cut sales taxes on goods made here in Missouri, and we need to make sure that Missouri businesses get the first shot at state contracts and not companies in India or China.
– Kelly Evenson
John Mayfield is the Democratic candidate for the District 20 seat in the Missouri House of Representatives. He is an analyst at the Central Bank of Kansas City and has two sons. He is running against incumbent Republican Brent Lasater.
1 What makes you a better representative for Independence in Jefferson City than your opponent?
I have a track record of working to help make Independence a better place. I am a lifelong resident of Independence. I raised my children here. I will never forget that I work for the residents of the 20th District. My campaign is supported and endorsed by many leaders in the area including the Independence and Fort Osage school districts. My opponent’s campaign is supported and endorsed by leaders in the Kansas City School District. I believe that prosecutors should have the option of the death penalty for the most horrific crimes where the evidence is overwhelming. My opponent wants to abolish the death penalty. I oppose tax increases. My opponent favors tax increases.
2 What is your position on Proposition B (the tobacco tax increase)?
The voters of Missouri will decide this issue. If this measure is approved, I can assure everyone that I will be a watchdog to make sure these funds go where the public intends. I will work to make sure that these funds are not subject to the usual accounting gimmicks in Jefferson City.
3 Teacher tenure was a hot button issue during the 2012 legislative session. What is your opinion on teacher tenure and what changes, if any, do you think should be made?
I fully support teacher tenure. It is very difficult to encourage people to go into teaching because the pay is low and the hours are long. Teacher tenure allows schools to recruit and keep good teachers who might otherwise go into other careers. I do not believe any changes in the teacher tenure law are necessary.
4 What do you think should and can be done to boost economic development in Missouri?
I believe that to boost economic development we need to do several things. First, we need to invest in education. Second, we need to focus on job training, tax cuts for small businesses and invest in infrastructure. We should cut sales taxes on goods made here in Missouri, and we need to make sure that Missouri businesses get the first shot at state contracts and not companies in India or China.
– Kelly Evenson
