Shane Schoeller, former director of Government Affairs for the HBAGS, is focused on becoming Missouri’s next Secretary of State.
Yes, tomorrow is Missouri’s Primary Election Day. So, don’t forget that, if you want to vote for Shane, you’ll need to ask for a republican primary ballot at your polling place tomorrow (Tuesday, August 7) and vote for Shane Schoeller for Secretary of State (and while you’re at it, make sure ten of your friends and family do the same). If he wins, Shane will be the republican nominee for the office on the November general election ballot.
Schoeller was elected to serve as a state representative for three terms and most recently served as the second most powerful member of leadership in the state house, the Speaker Pro Tem. Schoeller was functioning in that leadership role when both of the HBA’s top priority legislative agenda items (fire sprinkler mandatory option and work comp reform) passed in 2011 and 2012.
In addition to focusing on issues of preventing election fraud and supporting voter ID requirements, Schoeller also wants to focus ways to reduce red tape for employers as they interact with Missouri’s Secretary of State’s office. He will use the office to keep an eye on state agencies rule-making powers so they do not unnecessarily burden Missouri families and businesses — the Secretary of State has oversight of the rule making powers of state agencies, especially over emergency rule making. Schoeller wants to ensure that state agencies do not abuse their regulatory powers to stifle Missouri businesses and employers.
Because of this focus on curbing the bureaucratic/ regulatory burden on business and his longtime support of the housing industry, the Coalition for Building a Better Tomorrow (your political action committee) approved financial support of Schoeller’s campaign for Secretary of State. Remember to vote for Shane Schoeller for Secretary of State on August 7. For more information, visit Schoeller’s website by clicking here.
And that’s not all…
Many other candidates will be on the primary election ballot, including races for county commission; statewide offices from the governor on down; state representatives and senators, and the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Remember to cast your votes carefully and with an eye toward your industry and your livelihood!
In addition to primary candidates, there will be a number of questions and issues on area ballots on Tuesday, August 7. At the state level, there is a proposed Constitutional Amendment 2. A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to provide that neither the state nor political subdivisions shall establish any official religion. The amendment further provides that a citizen’s right to express their religious beliefs regardless of their religion shall not be infringed and that the right to worship includes prayer in private or public settings, on government premises, on public property, and in all public schools. The amendment also requires public schools to display the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution. A “no” vote will not change the current constitutional provisions protecting freedom of religion.
In the City of Springfield, voters have three charter amendments to consider:
- 2012 – 1, if approved this eliminates the February primary election for candidates running for the offices of City Council. The last primary election had a 5% turnout and the cost per vote to the citizens of Springfield was estimated to be approximately $32 each.
- 2012 – 2, this is a proposal to increase the number of signatures required to place an initiative issue on an election ballot. Currently, a petition has to have at least the number of signatures equal to 10 percent of voters in the most recent municipal election. The proposed change would require signatures equaling seven percent of all registered voters eligible to vote at the most recent April municipal election.
- 2012 – 3, this would set a one-year time limit for a group to gather signatures to place an initiative question to a vote. To process an initiative petition it must be submitted by a petitioners’ committee comprised of five qualified voters and the committee must obtain an advisory legal opinion and a fiscal summary from the City Director of Finance that contains anticipated implementation cost to the City and a suggested funding source. Finally, it allows City Council, by a vote of at least seven members, to amend or delete invalid language or correct typographical errors prior to an election. The petitioners’ committee will also be allowed to withdraw the petition for any reason up to the 6th Tuesday prior to the scheduled election.
Springfield voters will also see a renewal of the 1/8¢ sales tax for transportation improvement projects. For more detailed information about projects to be funded, click here. Previously approved by voters 4 times, passage of the ballot issue will NOT increase sales tax.
Another city in Greene County, the City of Willard, has a fire protection district question on the ballot. This measure would increase the general operating tax levy ceiling of the district by $.50 per $100 of assessed valuation for the purpose of hiring full-time firefighters and emergency personnel as well as constructing a facility and to provide general operating funds.
Around the area:
Barry County – R-V School District in Barry County has a bond issue.
Christian County – Marionville School District has a no tax increase bond issue. (Also on Lawrence County and Stone County ballots for the district’s residents.)
Lawrence County – County ballot issue regarding flood insurance and in Pierce City there is a revenue bond issue that would allow the town to obtain a low-interest loan for work on the city sewage treatment system is proposed.