Ask Mary!
Every month, Mary will answer the questions most frequently asked of her as she continues her push to serve in Jefferson City.
1. What are your top legislative priorities?
My legislative priorities will focus on education and healthcare. The economic strength and development of our community depends on the success of our graduates. I support improved quality in early childhood programs, higher teacher standards, strong public schools, and affordable college education. Partnered with education, I support affordable healthcare for all, and tax credits for small businesses that provide healthcare for their employees.
2. If you could change or expunge one law from the last legislative session, which one would that be?
In 2005, approximately 100,000 people lost their Medicaid benefits, the opportunity to reinstate them was voted down in 2007. The availability of heath care is fundamental to a child’s ability to learn and an adult’s ability to work. Families should have access to prenatal care, well child exams, hearing, vision and dental screenings. We can choose to invest in families now and focus on prevention, or we can pay a much higher price in the future.
3. How have your life experiences shaped your decision to run? What type of a difference do you think those experiences will help you make?
Life experiences guide us to define who we are and identify our responsibilities to society. We develop compassion, understanding and knowledge, which influence our decision-making, and sharpen our instincts. Through my years of teaching and public policy work, I have become increasingly concerned that we are not doing enough for the children and families of Missouri. In order to preserve our democracy, we have to do better! My decision to run for State Representative was driven by this concern. My experiences in teaching, program management, leadership and community involvement have taught me how to build consensus and work to find common ground with those whom I differ. The 44th District of Kansas City is my home and if we work together we can make a difference.