WARRENSBURG – The Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce hosted a Primary Candidate Forum on Wednesday, July 29, at the Mathews-Crawford Post 131 American Legion.
Moderated by longtime KOKO personality Marion “Woody” Woods, candidates running for the District 5 Congressional Seat and the Districts 54 and 57 House Seats were asked a slate of questions drawn at random by Woods before the candidate meet and greet after the forum.
Congressional District 5
Wednesday’s forum began with the congressional candidates on the Aug. 4 Primary ballot.
Though Republican candidates Micah Beebe, Rick Brattin, Taylor Burks, Brett Hueffmeier and Libertarian candidate Randy Langkraehr were confirmed to attend, Burks was the only candidate seated at the table when the forum began at 5:30 p.m. He was joined by Hueffmeier around 5:45 p.m. and Beebe around 6 p.m. Brattin and Langkraehr did not attend.
Republican candidates Berton Knox, Brad Patty and seat incumbent, Democrat Emanuel Cleaver, were not able to attend.
From inflation management to the expansion of affordable healthcare, the three Republican candidates in attendance were asked several questions during their 45-minute time slot.
When asked about removing illegal immigrants from Missouri, Beebe said he’d approach the issue by partnering with local and federal officials in each city and county to deport these immigrants and ensure public safety was maintained.
“I think it’s very important that we remove illegal immigrants from our state because these are public safety risks to our people,” Beebe said. “We have a lot of dangerous criminals that have come across the border and you can see based on criminal records from a lot of these people that are being deported right now.”
For Burks, he said President Donald Trump’s methods of removing illegal immigrants is an approach he fully supports. From federal agents getting involved in municipalities where Burks said local officials are not actively cooperating with federal laws, to the self-deportation method, Burks said he is an advocate for all the ways in which the current administration is handling immigration.
“We have a number of immigrants who are here illegally that, if given the opportunity to deport themselves, they have taken that opportunity to,” Burks said. “So, President Trump (and) the Department of Homeland Security providing the opportunity for immigrants to come forward, return home, and then attempt to come here legally– that’s the right approach. I would support that in congress.”
With his background in law, Hueffmeier said following due-process and explaining that process to the public to ensure a better understanding of immigration court proceedings is an approach he’d take if elected in August. Building detention centers in and around Kansas City, Hueffmeier said, is an approach he does not support and instead said detention centers built throughout the state would be more beneficial.
“That’s been a major political issue, so I don’t necessarily approve of that, I think as long as you’re dispersing (detention centers) throughout the state where you can do that initial due-process, and then move forward with some deportations,” Hueffmeier said. “I think we need to do a better job of explaining the process and what’s happening so there isn’t this political opposition over the issue because, in my mind, it’s just about the rule of law.”
Missouri House of Representatives District 54
After the congressional candidates, District 54 Representative Brandon Phelps and his opponent, Democratic candidate Taigan Plummer, took the stage. The third Republican candidate, Joe Plemons, was not in attendance at Wednesday evening’s forum.
Woods asked candidates a myriad of questions about policies to recruit, train and retain Missouri workers, affordable childcare, access mental health services and more.
When asked about whether or not he supported Missouri Amendment 5’s income tax elimination and sales tax changes, Phelps said he thinks Missouri’s state tax dollars need to be handled more responsibly and that taxes, in general, should be lower for everyone.
“When it comes to Amendment 5, I’ve heard arguments on both sides, and I would tell you that I can see the arguments on both sides of Amendment 5,” Phelps said. “For me, the decision was simple … my vote in the legislature was a ‘yes’ vote to put this on the ballot so you can tell us whether or not you like the idea.”
For Plummer, she said she opposed the amendment as written due to it being a concept instead of an actual plan. If elected, Plummer said her focus would be on creating a more equitable reform for property taxes.
“Currently, we have a property here in Warrensburg, an apartment complex with about 50 doors, that (pays) about $2,500 annually in property taxes,” Plummer said. “There are single-family households that currently pay the same amount in taxes that don’t have the income of 50 rental properties. That isn’t fair. We need to take a look at how the assessment process takes place at the state level, because we’ve seen this not just in Johnson County, but in Jackson County.”
Missouri House of Representatives District 57
For District 57, Democrat Michael Walbom was the lone candidate taking the mic at Wednesday’s forum as his opponent, Republican Matthew Sergent was unable to attend.
Woods pulled from the same pile of questions he asked the District 54 candidates, and asked Walbom his thoughts on infrastructure investments, policies to help small family farms and more.
When asked about Amendment 5, Walbom said he stood firmly against it, and it said it would penalize those most vulnerable in our communities.
“Eliminating income tax will destabilize the Missouri economy instantly. (The legislature) left a blank check to themselves to raise taxes on anything,” Walbom said. “Right now, the tax burden on poor people– those making the lowest 20%– they don’t pay income tax, or if they do, it’s very minimal. This is not going to help them one bit. What it’s going to do is double their tax burden by doubling their income tax.”
Ballot Measures
After the forum, Johnson County Clerk Diane Thompson read the four ballot measures aloud.
Constitutional Amendment Number 1 reads:
“Shall Missouri continue for 10 years the one-tenth of one percent sales/use tax that is used for soil and water conservation and for state parks and historic sites, and resubmit this tax to the voters for approval in 10 years?”
According to the county website, “The measure allows continued collection of the existing sales and use tax, which generates revenue of approximately $140 million annually.”
Constitutional Amendment Number 2 reads:
“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
According to the county website, “State and local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.”
Constitutional Amendment Number 4 reads:
“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
According to the county website, “The Department of Corrections estimates increased annual costs of up to $21,817. The Office of State Public Defender estimates an unknown fiscal impact. Other state governmental entities estimate no costs or savings. Local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.”
Constitutional Amendment Number 5 reads:
“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
According to the county website, “The proposal has no direct impact on state or local revenue. If passed, implementing legislation will have an unknown impact to state and local tax revenue. If implemented, state government entities expect a reduction of $57,000 annually in income tax check-off donations and implementation costs of at least $100,000.”
Hasina Shah can be reached at 660-747-8123.
