Quick 5 - Kay Barnes, 6th District Congressional

1 If elected, what three issues will you focus on?
Washington is broken, and I am going to focus on fixing it. We need to move forward from this economic crisis that Washington and Wall Street have created. We also need to decrease our dependence on foreign oil and improve health care for Americans.

2 Your opponent, incumbent Sam Graves, has said that you flip-flop on the immigration issue, specifically the issue of amnesty. Where do you stand on this issue?
Congressman Graves is not being honest. I have said time and time again that I oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants. And unlike Graves, I also oppose amnesty for employers who knowingly recruit and hire illegal immigrants. I think we need to enforce our laws and secure our borders to get a handle on illegal immigration.

3 You’re often criticized as being the former Kansas City mayor who helped raise local taxes significantly. As a representative of the 6th District, where and when would you vote for new or increased taxes?
As mayor, I did not have the authority to raise taxes – only the voters could do that. In fact, I lowered the utility tax rate by nearly 50 percent, which saved taxpayers more than $7 million a year. I will work to decrease taxes for middle class Americans – they can’t afford more taxes. I will also work to close tax loopholes for multibillion dollar corporations.

4 What is the most important issue facing 6th Congressional District residents, and how do you plan to address it?
The most important issue facing 6th District residents is the economic crisis. Sam Graves has consistently opposed accountability, transparency, and oversight, and that strategy has wreaked havoc on the economy. I will work to restore fiscal discipline and keep greedy Wall Street interests and big corporations in check.

5 What accomplishment as mayor do you consider to be the most accurate portrayal of how you would be as a representative for the 6th District?
As mayor, I worked across party lines to bring Missourians together. I worked closely with Senator Kit Bond and the Republican House Leadership in Jefferson City. Sam Graves has shown that he has been incapable or unwilling to work with others for the benefit of Missourians. I believe that my bipartisan approach is exactly what Missouri’s 6th District needs.