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Q&A: Jill Schupp

As part of our continuing coverage of the candidates and races in the Saint Louis area, The Missouri Times sat down for a few questions with Rep. Jill Schupp, Democratic candidate for the 24th Senate district.

The Missouri Times: First, to cover the basics, what was is your primary motivation for running for the Senate?

Rep. Jill Schupp: People in my district have asked for representation they can trust.  Many of them know me, and know I bring a cooperative, thoughtful and common-sense approach to decision making. As a businesswoman, school board member and legislator, I have always worked to develop long-term common-sense solutions to the real issues facing people in our communities.

TMT: Democrats are facing historic minorities in both chambers right now. Even with gains in 2014, you’ll likely be facing a large Republican majority in the Senate. Assuming you win, what are you going to do to be effective as a lawmaker in that very one-sided environment?

Schupp: First, I will continue to represent the voice of the people, not the special interests. As I work with members to do what is right for people, it has been my practice to work across the aisle rather than to focus on partisan politics or the blame game.   A good idea is a good idea no matter which party puts it forward.  I will always work to find and support those good ideas.  It is what I’ve done my whole life, and what I will continue to do in the Senate.

TMT: The Republican Party has already begun some rather aggressive negative campaigning against you. Would you like to respond to any of their specific accusations?

Schupp: I honestly haven’t paid much attention to that.  What I know is that the people I serve want leaders who are focused on their needs, not on scoring political points against their opponents.  My focus is on listening to Missourians and helping figure out solutions for and with them, not on trying to fend off some partisan attack game.

TMT: “Conventional Wisdom” is that 2014 will not be a fantastic year for Democrats electorally. Do you agree with that in general? If so, what will you do to combat that voter sentiment? If you feel that the conventional wisdom is wrong, why?

Schupp: Voters in my area tend to vote for the person, not the party.  They look for someone who represents their values, is willing to roll up her sleeves and do the work needed to develop positive public policy.  Frankly, over the years I have learned that “conventional wisdom” is set by insider elites, not regular people, and it is very often incorrect.  With all due respect, I am much more focused on discussing issues and concerns with my constituents than debating some generalized idea of  “conventional wisdom.”

TMT: Are there any specific legislative issues during your time in the House that you worked closely on that you’d like to mention? In short, what do you consider to be your accomplishments as a lawmaker?

Schupp: Over the years, I have worked on legislation that will keep seniors from being taxed out of their homes, protect our young children in unlicensed daycare centers, encourage job growth by expanding our presence in the fields of plant science and biotechnology, and promote good public policies so all of our students receive a quality education.  Some of my legislative ideas have passed in a bi-partisan manner, with the help of friends on the other side of the aisle.

I am also very proud of founding the non-profit Missouri Veterans History Project (MVHP).  This volunteer-based non-profit has recorded over 600 Veterans’ stories, saving taxpayers over $840,000 to date, while honoring Missouri’s Veterans in perpetuity.  Previously, taxpayers were spending hundreds of thousands of dollars per year to record the histories of Missouri’s veterans: a private company was being paid $1400 per veteran.  The MVHP records veterans’ stories for the Veteran and his/her family, for preservation at the State Historical Society of Missouri, and at the Library of Congress.  Founding the MVHP was a collaborative project; I worked with organizations including the Veterans Commission, the University of Missouri, the State Historical Society, Honor Flight and others to privatize what had been an expensive public program, saving taxpayer funds and securing veterans’ oral histories for generations to come.

TMT: Can you talk a little bit about your position on the proposed sales tax increase for transportation funds on the August 5 ballot? Has MODOT’s release of proposed projects from last week influence your position one way or another?

Schupp: I am OPPOSED to the sales tax increase.  The tax burden on the middle class is too high as it is, and this kind of regressive tax is the wrong way to solve the problem.  The proposed projects are very important, but a tax that falls disproportionately on seniors and working families is not the way to go. There’s no question: our infrastructure is in need of repair and modernization, and is vital to the region’s economic development future, but there are better ways to accomplish that, that don’t hurt middle and low income families as much.

TMT: There’s going to be a potentially close and tough Republican primary for your race. Which one of your opponents would you most like to face? Which of your opponents would you least like to face?

Schupp: The Republican primary voters should and will decide who best represents their values.  That is the democratic process.

TMT: There’s a pretty nasty Democratic primary underway right now between County Executive Charlie Dooley and Councilman Steve Stenger. Who are you supporting in that race?

Schupp: I have remained neutral in the Democratic County Executive primary.  My focus is on talking to people in my district so I can represent their voice in the Senate.

TMT: Do you feel it is necessary to raise more money than your general election opponent to win? What is your total fundraising goal?

Schupp: Our team is raising the funds we feel are necessary to win this race.  We have a plan and will have the resources necessary to execute that plan to communicate effectively with the voters.  It is not really about our opponent’s fundraising.

TMT: Gov. Nixon is signing and vetoing bills as we approach veto session. Are there any bills that you’re specifically hoping he will reject or embrace? Why?

Schupp: I support Governor Nixon’s veto of the special breaks and exemptions given to a handful of special interests on the last day of the legislative session.  These sweet-heart deals created a massive hole in the budget, which will compromise our long-term economic growth, education, and ability to attract and create jobs.  These fiscally irresponsible special interest exemptions were not accounted for in the Fiscal Year 2015 budget passed by the Legislature, and will result in deep cuts to education and other services vital to Missourians. These special loopholes were rushed through the final hours of the legislative process with little or no debate, many without public hearings.