15TH WARD 4TH DISTRICT SENATE NOMINEE QUESTIONS
1. Why do you think you are the best potential nominee for the 4th Senate Seat?
JERRYL CHRISTMAS: The 4th senatorial district needs effective leadership and I am the
best candidate for the job. My experience as a prosecutor and defense attorney has enhanced my ability to comprehend, articulate and address the pertinent issues facing the district. In addition my legislative experience on Capitol Hill will be an asset in leveraging federal assistance for the district. I am committed to serving the interests of the 4th senatorial district and promoting a state government that is fiscally responsible, transparent and accountable to the taxpayers.
JOE KEAVENY: I have lived in the 28th Ward my entire life. The 28th Ward has a broad mix of ethnicities, religions, income levels and social backgrounds. Through my experience as Committeeman, serving on the neighborhood organizations and the neighborhood housing corp, I have been able to work with people from a wide array of backgrounds and to build lasting relationships.
JAMILAH NASHEED: I am the best candidate for this seat for several reasons. First, I am committed to the 4th District and the people who live here. While some of the other people who are attempting to garner your support may view this position as a springboard for a different office, I will stay as long as my constituents continue to approve of my job. Second, I have a long history of delivering results to my constituents. Obviously, I would like to see the Democrats become the majority in the Senate and the House, however while we are the minority, it is important to choose someone who can work with Republicans. Since I started working in Jefferson City I have been able to pass two pieces of legislation that I sponsored. Also, I have recently been appointed the chair of a Task Force on Dropout Prevention by Speaker Richard. I received this appointment over some of my Republican colleagues because of my proven leadership skills. If you decide to support me, you know that I will be able to block the bills that will hurt St. Louis, and create support for bills that will help us.
RACHEL STORCH: As a third-term State Representative, as former Legal Counsel/Policy Director to the Democratic Leader in the State Senate, as former Deputy Chief of Staff to United States Jean Carnahan, and as a former legal aid attorney at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, I bring a unique mix of policy, political, and legal experience to the table.
In an era of term limits, experience matters. During my five years in the legislature, I have been an effective and vocal representative for my constituents and residents across Missouri. As a member of the House Budget Committee, the House Ways and Means Committee, the House Appropriations Committee on Economic Development and Transporation (Ranking Democrat), and the House Committee on Energy and Environment, I have actively participated in intense policy debates on a wide variety of issues and have often been at the forefront of these debates in the Democratic Caucus.
As a member of the Budget Committee, I have been successful in garnering funding for a number of critical programs by authoring amendments to the budget bills and working with my colleagues in a bipartisan way to ensure that the amendments are accepted. Specifically, I introduced and passed the amendment to secure $12 million for Metro during the 2009 session -- despite opposition from many rural legislators. I also passed amendments in 2009 to retain funding for: 45 inspectors for nursing home and childcare facilities; crisis nurseries; Children's Treatment Services (which prevent child abuse and neglect); as well as a program to help elderly immigrants naturalize. In a prior year, among other items, I passed an amendment to add $300,000 to the budget to establish the SafeCare program -- this program trains doctors, nurses, and other health care providers who come into contact with children to identify and treat the symptoms of child abuse, specifically child sex abuse. The SafeCare program has now been implemented across the state of Missouri.
We are living in a difficult time. As elected officials, we face many challenges, including how to implement the federal stimulus and potentially, how to implement federal health care reform. My prior experience in the Missouri House and Senate, as well as at the federal level in the United States Senate, ensures that I will be able to hit the ground running as an effective advocate for residents in the 4th Senatorial district. I am fortunate to have good relationships with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in Jefferson City. I have been privileged to work in government for many years now and I am versed in the legislative process. I also worked as a legal aid attorney (I served as an Americorps*VISTA attorney during part of this time) and that experience heightened my perspective on the needs of residents in the City of St. Louis.
In closing, I am the only candidate who brings this unique and powerful mix of experiences to the table, and as a lifelong resident of St. Louis, it would be my honor to take these experiences and put them to work for the 4th district.
2. How would you approach representing a district as diverse as the 4th Senatorial?
JERRYL CHRISTMAS: In order for me to do a good job in Jefferson City I need to listen to the people I represent. My first priority will be setting up listening tours around the district so I can hear from the people living and working in my district. I want to hear your thoughts, answer your questions and work to find resources to address your needs. If we work together we can make real progress in the 4th district.
JOE KEAVENY: The key is open communication. I will make myself available to hear the interests and issues of all areas of the District. I will rely on my relationships with Democratic committee people and ask them to introduce me to the individuals and groups in their neighborhoods whom I should know. I already have a working relationship with most of them, so I believe that I could utilize those relationships fairly quickly. Over time I will develop more relationships with other interested groups in the District.
JAMILAH NASHEED: The 4th Senatorial district is not as diverse as divisive politicians want us to believe. We are significantly democratic and strongly value the same platforms. The people we live next to want better healthcare, a robust economy, nicer schools, and renewable energy sources. As your senator I will use my office and voice to guarantee that our collective interests are well defended and advanced in the capitol. The best way to represent our differing opinions is through access. I have always been especially accessible to all of my constituents. Whether they want to contact my office, home, or meet in person, I enjoy and respond to the requests of everyone in the district.
RACHEL STORCH: One of the most important aspects of serving successfully in elected office is the capacity to listen. I have always, and will always, maintain an "open door" policy for all of my constituents. The diversity of the 4th Senatorial district enriches the quality of life for St. Louis residents. I will always work hard to represent all constituencies fairly and fully, whether it relates to economic, educational, or cultural opportunities.
3. How will you effectively represent Democratic interests in Jefferson City as a member of the minority party?
JERRYL CHRISTMAS: I pledge to work with the democratic caucus to develop and implement a strategy for promoting the interests of the party.
JOE KEAVENY: I intend to develop relationships with key senators in the majority party. I have an open personality and I can work well with people of different interests and backgrounds. For the issues that I think are most important, this will involve negotiation and possibly holding up some other legislation in order to create an opportunity for negotiation.
JAMILAH NASHEED: As I said above, I work well with both my Democratic and Republican colleagues. When you are deciding who you want to send to Jefferson City as your senator, I think you should pick the candidate most able to produce results for St. Louis. I have a proven record of passing legislation as a member of the minority party without compromising my values or office. Democratic interests can and will be pursued by myself as the 4th District’s senator.
RACHEL STORCH: For the last 5 years, I have served as a member of the minority party in Jefferson City. In this capacity, I have always maintained strong relationships with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, in both the House and the Senate. For this reason, I have been successful in garnering key committee assignments and in offering amendments to the budget to secure funding for critical programs such as Metro ($12 million in 2009); the SAFECARE network; nursing home and child care inspectors; and other programs whose mission is to improve the quality of life for St. Louis families.
4. What is your position on local control of the police department? Would you sponsor a bill establishing local control?
JERRYL CHRISTMAS: As a former assistant circuit attorney I worked closely with the police department and I support local control of the department. We are currently operating under an archaic system of state governance and primary control of the police department should be vested in the citizens of the city of St. Louis. I would be open to sponsoring a bill to establish local control of the police department.
JOE KEAVENY: A.) I believe it is essential that control of the police department be given back to the City of St. Louis. Most proponents of this position cite the budget as the reason--police represent a very significant portion of the City's overall budget. But important as the budget issue is, I think it's even more important that we make our citizens feel as though they have some input, some ability to exercise influence and control over the Police. This lack of control and lack of input has led to many problems over the years, including disparities in policing practices based on race. Our City will not be the great city we all want it to be until this is resolved. B.) Yes.
JAMILAH NASHEED: In my opinion, it is ridiculous that 25% of the city’s annual budget goes to a police force that they do not have direct authority over. With power centered in city hall, the police force will be more efficient and effective. If you choose to support me, I will sponsor and push for legislation establishing local control.
RACHEL STORCH: a) I support local control and would work with city officials, the police department, and St. Louis residents to achieve this goal. b) Yes.
5. How would you propose to solve the budget problem of increasing pension costs for City of St. Louis employees?
JERRYL CHRISTMAS: Cities from coast to coast are experiencing pension problems and increases in pension costs are expected in the future. I need to sit down with the mayors office, employee representatives and some experts in the field to discuss the various ideas around solving the pension crisis. Once we have come up with a plan for addressing the issue I will sponsor or support any legislation that furthers that goal.
JOE KEAVENY: I am open to ideas. A couple of things immediately come to mind. During my career , I served as a Senior Portfolio Manager. I managed several private pensions for local employers. We have to convince the employees that a pension that may be underfunded doesn't mean that the pension is bankrupt. A period of under/over funding of a pension does not effect the ability to pay benefits. In an effort to address the problem in the future, we could reduce the pension benefits for new hires or utilize some sort of cost share.
JAMILAH NASHEED: The budget problem should be addressed with a two tier solution. First, St. Louis City needs to study and propose some answers. Second, once the city has found the best way to approach the budget dilemmas, I will sponsor legislation in Jefferson City to supplement their efforts. Since the root of the problem is the cost of the pensions, I would be eager to push for support of the city’s efforts with state resources.
RACHEL STORCH: As an elected official representing the city, I am acutely aware of the dire situation regarding the city employee pension program and recently met with the mayor and other city officials to discuss the problem. Although no solutions have yet been advanced, I fully intend to work in concert with all relevant officials at the city and state levels to provide relief for the city budget and to protect city employees.
6. How would you work to foster economic development in the City of St. Louis? Please include your views about historic tax credits.
JERRYL CHRISTMAS: I think it's important to support communities working to develop and implement economic development and revitalization strategies. Historic tax credits are an important tool for encouraging economic development in the city and I would fight to make sure that option is available. I am in support of more capital for business incubators and small businesses, aggressive marketing of the city and working to retain talented workers in the area. Lastly, its critical we provide education on resources available to people interested in economic development. I directed three economic development seminars around the state for Senator McCaskill and if I am elected I will do economic development seminars in the 4th senatorial district.
JOE KEAVENY: Please include your views about historic tax credits. I would work with developers and civic leaders to determine their needs for development. I feel historic tax credits are essential and would work to be sure that they are not eliminated for budgetary reasons. Saint Louis has some beautiful architecture that we need to save. It is just not cost effective to rehab some of these buildings without the subsidy of historic tax credits.
JAMILAH NASHEED: There are two issues that I think your senator should fight for. First, St. Louis is the powerhouse of Missouri’s economy, and I would work to continue that trend. Gov. Nixon has been withholding funding from our city, and as your senator I would have the tools to apply more pressure for funds to be released. Second, the historic tax credits are a proven approach to re-developing the city. When rural republicans try to cut them, as they have in past sessions, I will ensure that they stay on the books. I promise to utilize every resource of my office to guarantee that those credits continue to revitalize St. Louis.
RACHEL STORCH: As the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee for Economic Development and Transportation, as well as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which deals with tax policy, and the House Budget Committee, I have spent the last five years fighting to enhance economic opportunities for people and businesses in the City of St. Louis.
One of my focuses has been the Life Sciences. Missouri is poised to be a national, possibly international leader in the life sciences based on the world-class research institutions and a very substantial industry base that already exists here. St. Louis is at the vanguard, thanks to institutions such as Washington University, the Danforth Plant Science Center, large companies such as Monsanto and Pfizer, and smaller companies such as those run by the entrepreneurs at the Center for Emerging Technologies (located in the 64th House district). I believe the General Assembly has a critical role in supporting the advances that are taking place. In a nationally and globally-competitive world, the state needs to make the right investments to develop the life sciences industry in St. Louis. That is why I have continued to fight for increased funding for Missouri's life sciences trust fund.
In 2008, I sponsored House Bill 2260, which would create a tax credit for qualified research expenditures for research and development in biotechnology. HB 2260 passed the House with strong bipartisan support. In 2009, we came very close to passing this language through the Senate as well and I will continue to work until it passes both chambers. I am also a strong advocate for business incubators and innovation centers, and believe that we must provide support for small companies as they enter the marketplace.
One of the most critical parts of our economic landscape hinges on how well we educate our workforce. Missouri must do more to provide job training and re-training programs for our youth and for those who have lost their jobs. Consistently, business leaders tell me that education and educated workforce are top priorities for them when it comes to state policy. I will continue to fight hard to ensure that resources are available in the St. Louis area for job training and re-training.
Even prior to the recent economic recession, families in St. Louis have struggled acutely with the skyrocketing cost of healthcare and the increasing costs of higher education. At the same time, they are being pinched by the volatile cost of gas and higher food costs. More than 13,000 families across Missouri have lost their homes due to the mortgage crisis. We were recently ranked 48th in the nation in annual wage growth. I want to make sure that economic opportunities are available to city residents across the spectrum. The state must ensure that women and minority business owners are included in potential opportunities. As a member of the Missouri Women's Council, I participate actively in efforts to ensure that all women are made aware of a variety of economic opportunities. I have also been involved with Missouri Women in Trades.
I am a strong advocate for targeted tax credit programs and believe that they are a critical part of the urban revitalization landscape in Missouri. I have fought and will continue to fight to ensure that programs with a proven track record such as the Historic Preservation Tax Credits, the Brownfield Tax Credits, Youth Opportunity Tax Credits, and Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credits are sustained and supported. In particular, the Historic Preservation Tax Credit program (which is a national model) has been pivotal to development in the city and must be protected.
For my work on economic development issues, I have been recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal ("Legislative Leadership" Award); the St. Louis RCGA ("Lewis and Clark Statesman Award"); and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce ("Spirit of Enterprise" Award).
7. As State Senator, what could you do to improve the educational system in the City of St. Louis? Please include your views on school choice and funding.
JERRYL CHRISTMAS: A strong educational system is necessary to keep the city growing and competitive. I support charter schools as a limited alternative source of education, charter schools have a equal responsibility to be transparent and accountable to the taxpayer. I do not support voucher programs. I think public education is the backbone of this country and I am passionate about providing public schools the resources they need. In addition I support responsible parenting, merit pay for high performing teachers, extended school year, mentoring and after school programs.
JOE KEAVENY: Please include your views on school choice and funding. We need to work with the Saint Louis Public schools so that they can succeed. They have made significant improvements in recent years and I would hope will continue into the future. We need to make sure that they are properly funded and provide them with the tools that they need. I think we need to give the City of Saint Louis the authority to sponsor charter schools. We need to give parents a choice of which school they should send their children. With this authority, the City would be responsible for the monitoring of charter schools. That mechanism would allow the City to encourage successful charter schools and close under-performing charter schools.
JAMILAH NASHEED: Education is the linchpin to quality of life. I firmly believe that every person in St. Louis and Missouri has a fundamental right, not just to education, but an education in a well funded school with dedicated teachers. Unfortunately, St. Louis public schools are significantly underfunded. As a representative I passed legislation which expanded the opportunities for students in the A+ program. Currently I am the chair of a task force which is responsible for studying the devastating problem of high school dropout rates. Before I entered public office, I founded the In It 2 Win Coalition which has thus far convinced almost 100 students to return to school and graduate. As a senator, I will put the full force of my position to increase funding for our public schools. I appreciate the desires of parents to want to send their children to good schools; however instead of ravaging our already troubled schools by pulling funding, students, and teachers, I would support the public schools.
RACHEL STORCH: As a legislator representing part of St. Louis City, where the school district is currently unaccredited, I am particularly concerned about the state of education. Although there are many success stories in the city schools (stories that often receive little or no media exposure), the reality is that only 50-60% of the students currently graduate. Very few go on to college or post-secondary education. This is unacceptable.
I am committed to fighting for more access in St. Louis to programs that have a proven track record of success: universal pre-school; reading and math specialists; more after-school programs; and more professional development for teachers and principals.
I support programs like Teach for America, College Bound, and College Summit that have made an investment in St. Louis schools. It is critical that the local districts and the state work together to seek out best practices and implement them across Missouri.
For the last few years, I have been proud to sponsor legislation that would establish a program in Missouri called "21st Century Scholars." This program guarantees state college tuition assistance to low-income students who pledge to remain drug and alcohol free and maintain a 2.0 grade point average. The program will ask students in 7th or 8th grade to make a written pledge to stay alcohol and drug free. Upon high school graduation, students must have at least a 2.0 GPA and aggressively pursue available scholarships. The 21st Century Scholars program will then cover any remaining tuition costs, as long as students have not been adjudicated for any drug or alcohol related crime or violated a school substance abuse policy.
Tuition for the University of Missouri has increased and is now higher than any other Big 12 school. For many St. Louis students, higher education is now out of reach. Cost barriers should not prevent our students from accessing the education they need to succeed in a 21st century economy. Unfortunately, the Center for Public Policy and Higher Education gives Missouri an "F" when it comes to affordability. I believe that programs like 21st Century Scholars will create opportunities for thousands of St. Louis students to go to college or another type of post-secondary institution.
Personally, I have tutored in the first grade at the Adams School for four of the five years that I have served in the legislature. Education is a community responsibility and I believe that members of the community should be encouraged to participate in neighborhood schools.
In the United States, public education has always been the great equalizer, and every child should have access to a quality education.
Regarding school choice, I am a strong supporter of charter schools and believe that they offer much opportunity for children in St. Louis. I am proud that the new language immersion charter school is in the 64th House district.
Although funding is certainly not the sole answer for problems in the educational system, it is certainly critical that schools receive adequate funding, particularly in high-poverty areas.
8. Missouri lags behind many states in terms of alternative energy, energy efficiency, etc. What are your views on these and other environmental issues?
JERRYL CHRISTMAS: I support investment in renewable fuels research and development of new bio energy sources. The Energy efficiency tax credits are an important step in cutting are dependency on foreign energy. I think Missouri can be a leader in developing alternative forms of bio fuels, solar and wind power. Missouri is a coal dependent state so when I look at legislation concerning the environment I have to be careful and take into consideration the economic impact on a coal dependent state such as ours.
JOE KEAVENY: I am a proponent of alternative energy and energy efficiency. We need to provide incentives for production and consumption of alternative energy. I am reluctant to issue mandates. I feel mandates in this area merely promote inefficient markets. Through incentives, though the price may be somewhat higher, we can encourage responsible consumption and production of energy for the better well-being of us all.
JAMILAH NASHEED: I am firmly committed to advancing green technology as a means to provide people a better quality of life. Wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and solar technologies have so much potential to meet all of our energy needs, without the destructive costs currently hurting our planet. As your senator I can promise that if legislation creates real opportunities for Missouri to utilize alternative energies – I will support it. I have spent a lot of time researching the cap-and-trade legislation currently being discussed in Washington D.C. and when a bill is prepared, I will look into ways that Missouri can benefit from, and enhance system.
RACHEL STORCH: As a member of the Energy and Environment Committee, as well as a member of the new Joint Energy Committee, I am a strong supporter of alternative energy opportunities. I believe Missouri needs a diverse energy portfolio, including wind and solar energy. In the past, I have voted in favor of targeted tax incentives to support alternative and renewable energy sources and "green" practices (solar panels and equipment; hybrid vehicles, etc.). I was also a supporter of Proposition C. In 2008, I was one of 12 Americans to receive an Eisenhower fellowship to study energy issues.
9. As State Senator, what could you do to improve health insurance/care in Missouri?
JERRYL CHRISTMAS: I think its critical I support policies that provide access to affordable, quality health care. We have to get a handle on escalating medical costs. I support reform in the health care industry. I think its important we have the ability to negotiate prescription drug prices for medicare and we need legislation to reform the way health insurance companies currently do business. Lastly, we need to promote preventative health, I am a big proponent of healthy eating and daily exercise.
JOE KEAVENY: I can speak to the necessity of providing healthcare for all of our citizens. Preventive healthcare is so much more affordable than emergency care. When a person has no insurance it is usually the preventive care that is ignored. So what happens is that what could have been prevented by a visit to the doctor is transformed to a visit to the emergency room, at a much higher cost to society. We need healthcare reform.
JAMILAH NASHEED: Ever since 2005, when Gov. Blunt’s budget cuts decimated our state’s health care infrastructure, the people of Missouri have been hurting. One of my strongest motivations to running for office was watching the effects of those cuts on my 83 year old grandmother. Every day I go to the capitol I remember how difficult it was for her to receive any medical attention after the cuts were enacted. As a representative for St. Louis I have been fighting for better healthcare, and I will continue that fight as a senator. A while ago I wrote an Op-Ed on the health care debate currently being held across the country and I have attached it so you can get a better understanding of my thoughts on this devastating problem
RACHEL STORCH: As a former legal aid attorney and state representative, I have been deeply involved in the healthcare debate in Missouri. In 1997, I was a member of a taskforce to enroll Missouri children in the original Children's Health Insurance Program and was engaged in advocacy with the state as it shaped the CHIP program. As a legislator, I was an outspoken opponent of Blunt's Medicaid cuts in 2005 and a co-sponsor of legislation to re-establish coverage for those affected. I have also sponsored legislation that would require the Department of Social Services to track the number of children in Missouri without access to health insurance. I am asked to speak frequently at forums and public presentations on this subject. As State Senator, I would use my platform to work closely with Governor Nixon to achieve his agenda of establishing healthcare coverage for Missouri children (as well as for the nearly 800,000 Missourians without health insurance). If federal healthcare reform passes, I will use my prior experience at the federal and state level to facilitate implementation at the state level.
I also serve on the boards of a number of healthcare-oriented community organizations, including Nurses for Newborns, and have been very involved with advocacy on behalf of hospitals in and nearby the 64th district (Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital; St. Louis Children's Hospital; Barnes Hospital; Siteman Cancer Center; and Forest Park Hospital). I have received a number of awards on the basis of my healthcare advocacy including: Cardinal Glennon's Champion for Children award; Paraquad Disability Rights award; Legal Services of Eastern Missouri Legislative Advocacy award; Institute for Family Medicine award.
10. What is your long-term commitment to this position? Do you plan to seek re-election?
JERRYL CHRISTMAS: If selected I plan to serve out the remainder of the term and seek reelection.
JOE KEAVENY: I would like to serve in this position as long as my constituents will have me. Yes, I plan on seeking re-election.
JAMILAH NASHEED: It would be an honor serving the people of the 4th District, and if they continue to approve of my job in Jefferson City, I will run for re-election and hopefully remain the senator for the next nine years. I think it is very important for the senator to stay for as long as possible, building relationships with other senators and working for St. Louis. If the committee people decide to choose a candidate who isn’t planning on staying in office for the available time, I think that we are all missing out on a tremendous opportunity.
RACHEL STORCH: My short- and long-term commitment to this position is that I will wake up every day thinking about everything in my power that I can do to improve life for the residents of the 4th Senatorial district. I will bring to the table my prior experience in Washington, DC and in Jefferson City to continue achieving the highest quality results. I plan to file for re-election.
