League of Women Voters of St Louis Information Service
	Missouri State Government November 4, 2008 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues State Treasurer; State of Missouri

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Missouri and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Qualification, Priorities Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What are your Qualifications for Office? (200 word limit) Answer from Rodney D. "Rod" Farthing: I have served as treasurer for a number of non-profit entities over the years. I admittedly am not an accountant or CPA. Perhaps the office would best be served by an honest "regular" citizen who is able to manage finances well enough to be totally out of debt; who has money in savings after raising six children, with a wife who is a full-time homemaker; who has accomplished this on a preacher's modest salary; and who successfully balances all of his bank accounts each month. Answer from Clint Zweifel: I bring a proven track record of political and policy leadership. I first won election to the House of Representatives in 2002 by a 67-vote margin and earned the distinction of being the only Democrat in the state to defeat a Republican incumbent. Now finishing my third term, I am a leader in the House on state finances where I serve as the ranking member on the Ways and Means Committee and the Special Committee on Tax Reform. I also serve on the Special Committee on Retirement, the Joint Committee on Tax Policy, and the Special Committee on State Parks and Waterways. I led Democratic policy strategy and developed real solutions to help Missouri families, developing proposals on early childhood education, helping seniors cope with property taxes, and guarding our privacy. I chaired the Missouri House Democratic Campaign Committee in 2006, leading all Missouri House candidate recruitment and fundraising efforts. That effort resulted in the largest Democratic net gain in the House since 1978. I was the first member of my family to graduate from college, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. 2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit) Answer from Clint Zweifel: The treasurer is responsible for managing $22 billion in revenues and $4 billion in investments. I will continue Missouri's tradition of responsible investment management and preserve Missouri's AAA Bond rating, which benefits local governments and school districts as well. The treasurer should actively promote policy solutions to the high cost of higher education in Missouri, by strengthening MOHELA and making higher education a real budget priority. I will work to create a fund through the Missouri Housing Development Commission to help homeowners facing foreclosure. I also will advocate for an agency relationship between borrowers and mortgage brokers, requiring brokers to have legal responsibility to borrowers. Answer from Rodney D. "Rod" Farthing: Implement them by the grace of God. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits apply for each question. Direct references to opponents are not permitted. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.