 Private Sector Job Creation  Rick Stream is laser-focused on private sector job creation. He personally understands how so many members of our community are suffering from loss of retirement savings and investments, job loss and under-employment, as well as stagnating businesses and career paths. Rick also understands that private sector job creation is a key component of the solution. Government red tape and threats of increased taxation compound the jobs crisis. Such anti-growth policies perpetuate the uncertainty and stagnation, which inhibit the private sector job creation process. Based on his strong belief that entrepreneurs are far more capable of fixing the jobs crisis than big government is, Rick continues to fight for low taxes and to cut government red tape—liberating our job creators to put more Missourians to work. Rick’s recent legislative accomplishments to help our local job creators include the certainty provided by a balanced state budget-- which Rick has delivered for four straight years despite the suffering economy. The balanced budget sets Missouri apart from other states, making our community more attractive to out-of-state companies looking to invest or hire across state borders. Moreover, the balanced budget provides our local businesses with confidence that planned expansion and growth will not face the risk of hijack by a state government on the verge of collapse, as is the case in so many states that did not deliver a balanced budget. Additionally, House Bill 1868 reduces the size of state government and establishes the Joint Committee on the Reduction and Reorganization of Programs within State Government. The committee must publish a report by December 31, 2010, with recommendations for reducing, eliminating, or combining state programs and departments. Such reduction in government red-tape combined with Rick’s strong belief in low taxes is paramount to developing a pro-growth climate that allows our local job creators do what they do best: put our community to work. Economic Growth and Financial Security Our return to prosperity will be driven by entrepreneurial innovation and private investment in new technology, not by more regulation and government spending. To foster a pro-growth economic environment and revitalize our economy, Rick’s primary goal is to ensure that local businesses and entrepreneurs are provided with economic certainty and liberty to expand and thus increase private sector jobs and salaries. He aims to do so through low taxes and a relentless drive to cut government interference and red tape. Rick has a long track record of fighting for lower taxes and increased incentives for innovation and private sector growth. In his next term, Rick will continue to stand up to the big government movement and fight for a pro-growth economic environment that fosters innovation and financial security. Balanced Budget As Vice Chairman of the Budget Committee, Rick demands government accountability and fiscal responsibility. As the recession hit, Rick fought hard against deficit spending. He won, and the state budget remained balanced despite the recent 20% decline in state revenues. The result: Missouri is one of only seven states with a AAA bond rating. Building on four years of helping provide Missouri with a balanced budget, for his next term Rick will again serve as Vice Chair of the Budget Committee, as well as Chair of the Committee for Fiscal Review. With this dual leadership role, Rick will be in an even better position to ensure that our AAA bond rating will be maintained. By re-electing Rick, you can help ensure that these critical roles at the state level are filled by a proven an individual of financial acumen and proven fiscal responsibility. Education We are fortunate to live in one of the most highly regarded school districts in Missouri. We have a lot to be proud of: excellent teachers, parents who care, and visionary leadership on the school board, in the administration and in volunteer organizations. It’s a simple concept: good schools make good neighborhoods! As a lifelong resident of Kirkwood, Rick’s entire family has benefitted from Kirkwood schools. His experience as a parent and a 30-year district volunteer, serving as Keysor PTO President, Chairman of various committees and 12 years on the School Board, has demonstrated to Rick that students who work hard in Kirkwood schools gain access to the best colleges and universities, earn athletic and academic scholarships and succeed in business and public service. As Chairman of the Prop i campaign in 2005, Rick raised funds to renovate all of our buildings and build the new KHS science building and varsity gym, ensuring that our facilities were maintained and improved for the next generation of students. We all can be proud of our schools. As your State Representative, Rick serves on two education committees which manage budget and policy matters. Thanks in large part to Rick’s advocacy for meaningful investment in education, funding for the “Foundation Formula” has not been cut despite the necessity of significant budget cuts during the recession. Kirkwood schools receive $2.2 million of this money. Additionally, Rick supported House Bill 1543, which contains a number of provisions focused on school safety and improving the working environment for school staff. The legislation also provides school districts with additional budget flexibility during times when funding is limited. For the next three fiscal years, the bill suspends the requirement that school districts spend one percent of state funding on professional development. The legislation allows a school district to spend the money at its discretion. The change will free up approximately $30 million in education funding for schools across the state. Rick continues to aggressively support public education. Specifically, he filed legislation to help struggling schools improve through high teacher standards, principal training, alternative schools and reading and math immersion programs. He also voted against a bill that would have allowed guns on college campuses. Because of Rick’s common sense solutions and a consistent support of public schools, he is endorsed by the Missouri School Administrators, the Missouri State Teachers Association, and the Missouri National Education Association. Low Taxes Keeping taxes low strengthens our economy, supports private sector job growth, and helps each of us to provide the lifestyle our families deserve. As a leading advocate of fiscal responsibility, Rick continues to balance the state budget without raising taxes. In conjunction with his ongoing commitment to low taxes and economic growth, in this most recent session Rick supported House Bill 1408 and 1514, which shorten the time the state has to issue tax refunds to Missouri taxpayers. The bill will change the length of time the state can hold onto returns without paying interest from the current 120 days to 90 days. Under the bill, the state will have 90 days from April 15 to process returns. Returns that fail to meet the 90-day deadline will be refunded with interest. Ethics Reform When those who know Rick best describe him, one of the foremost characteristics mentioned is integrity. Whether in personal life or public service, Rick has always placed high value on honest and ethical conduct. To help promote ethical government in Jefferson City, Rick helped pass Senate Bill 844. This bill is an ethics reform package designed to increase transparency and accountability in the political process. One provision of the bill addresses the issue of political money laundering by restricting committee-to-committee transfers of campaign donations. The bill limits the number of political committees and makes it a crime to transfer committee funds with the intent to conceal the source of the original funds. The bill also gives additional authority to the Missouri Ethics Commission to launch investigations and creates the crime of obstructing an ethics investigation. The bill requires that campaign contributions made during a legislative session in excess of $500 be reported within 48 hours and also makes it a crime for an elected official to offer a job to a lawmaker in exchange for votes. Senate Bill 844 also creates new crimes for lobbyists who do not properly report how much they spend on meals and gifts for state officials. Property Tax Reform A strong believer the benefits of low taxes and property rights, Rick is dedicated to enacting common sense property tax reform that protects hard-working Missouri families, including our seniors. Rick’s commitment includes standing firm against overt property tax increases, as well as protecting taxpayers from back door tax increases under the guise of reassessment. As a strong proponent of our local school system, Rick also works to ensure our schools get their fair share of funding, and continues to aggressively defend against special interest attempts to the contrary. As your State Representative, Rick supported legislation that requires local governments and tax districts to roll back tax rates in reassessment years. He will continue to drive property tax reform in our state. Protecting Your Pension and Helping Our Seniors At times special interests and big government will attempt to tap pensions and our seniors for what amounts to a form of double taxation. Rick successfully promoted legislation that helped eliminate state income tax on Social Security and public pensions. With your vote, Rick will continue his work to end taxes on all private pensions in Missouri. Adult Stem Cell Research Innovation and research in science and technology not only helps drive economic growth, but can also provide life-saving medical breakthroughs and therapies. Rick remains a strong supporter of adult stem cell research. Scientists hope that stem cell research will provide new cures to diseases that have plagued our society for years. Studies indicate that adult stem cell research is both safer and more promising than controversial embryonic stem cell research. Rick continues to promote Missouri as a research and economic headquarters for adult stem cell research. Immigration Reform Rick is committed to battle illegal immigration. Since becoming your state representative, Rick has helped pass legislation that prohibits state assistance to illegal immigrants, requires employers to verify immigration status, mandates English to be used in all official proceedings, and gives our law enforcement the tools they need to combat illegal immigration. Right to Life As a pro-life member of our community, Rick is a committed advocate of the right to life. In line with Rick’s emphasis on life issues, he supported House Bill 2081. This bill specifies that a pregnant woman may use deadly force to protect her unborn child if she reasonably believes that deadly force is necessary.  |
