What do you believe is the maximum state budget Missouri citizens are willing to support? Is this amount plus realistic federal funding enough to fund all of the programs you support to the funding level you believe necssary? If this is not enough money what do you propose to cut?

I listen to KCUR and I have never heard you mention a Libertarian candidate, though we have lots that are on the ballot in this election. Your excuse will likely be that Libertarians can't win, however, if the media decides ahead of time who the "ordained" candidates are, then that becomes a self-fulling prophecy...

I am very concerned about animal advocacy and harsher penalties at the state level for those convicted of animal abuse, including dog/cockfighting and puppy mills that have harsh living conditions. Tell me what your involvement has been on these issues and if this is on your agenda if you are elected. Also, do you have any pets of your own?

Do you support stem cell research in the research entities of Missouri?

Missouri ranks 48th in the United States for reimbursement rates for families who provide care for children in foster care due to abuse or neglect. These monthly rates are hundreds of dollars below the USDA statistics citing the actual cost of raising a child (without physical, mental health, or emotional issues). As a result, it is difficult to recruit and retain capable and caring families and individuals to provide for the children in the care and custody of the State of Missouri. These children belong to all of us.
1. Will you commit to appropriating additional funding to support these children and families?
2. Will you also provide funding to support access to mental health services for the children who require ongoing therapy in order to fulfill their potential?
3. Access to dental care and orthodontics is challenging and generally not available. Kids in foster care deserve these services. How will you help?

As a college student whose parents can't afford to help my pay for school I rely almost entirely on student loans to pay for my tuition, room and board, etc., and I was really disturbed that so of my elected officials supported selling off MOHELA. Congressman Holshof, why did you support selling off MOHELA?

The research is clear that quality early learning makes a difference in preparing our young children for success in school and later life. What is your position on quality early learning for Missouri's children? Do you support voluntary pre-k?

I have heard Jay Nixon speak numerous times around the state (both in my hometown of Kansas City/Independence and in the Northeast Missouri area where I went to undergrad, and even while I was visiting St. Louis), but I have yet to hear Congressman Hulshof speak in any of these places. How much time has the Congressman actually spent in Missouri in the past years? How would he answer critics that say, especially given his comments about Missouri's economy, he is out of touch with the issues plaguing Missourians.

I've heard a lot of dicussion about the cost of college tuition during this Gubernatorial race, but the average cost of infant care in Missouri is nearly equal to tuition at Missouri public universities and few families can save for the high cost of child care. Missouri ranks 47th in the nation for state child care assistance for working families. Do you support increasing the income eligibility level for state child care assistance? How important do you think access to safe, reliable child care is for Missouri’s families, workforce, and economy?

WHAT ARE THE CANDIDATES VIEWS ON THE CURRENT DRUG LAWS IN THE STATE, WOULD THEY OPPOSE LIMITED DECRIMINALIZATION, AND IF SO HOW DO THEY PROPOSE TO HELP OUR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN ESCAPE THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE AND CRIME THAT ARE RUNNING RAMPANT IN OUR CITIES.