Bean addresses campaign forum in Kennett

Otto Bean addresses concerns raised by his opponent in the 163rd House District race during a forum in Kennett Monday. [Click to enlarge]

It was his last campaign stop before the Nov. 2 election. State Rep. Otto Bean, R-Holcomb, took part in a forum Monday afternoon hosted by Don and Mary Ellen Alford at their restaurant, Alford's Bar-B-Q in Kennett.

Bean said he was present to answer any questions voters might have and also used the forum to respond to allegations of his Democratic challenger, Jeff McCormick, including cutting education funding.

"We didn't cut it, we increased it this year by $143 million," Bean said.

As to criticism he didn't vote for full funding of school foundation formula Bean questioned, "if the formula so great, why are so many school districts in Missouri suing to change it?"

He continued, "The [foundation] formula is outdated. It's been outdated for a long time. It actually favors St. Louis and Kansas City, the larger areas, rather than rural areas."

Bean said the last time the formula was funded in full by the legislature, the state didn't have the money available to do so.

"What we need to do is mandate education funding, where we have to increase elementary, secondary and higher education by 5.5 percent a year," Bean went on. "We may have to put a sunset on that for 10 years, but look where we would be in 10 years."

In response to a question, Bean said he didn't support the voucher system in education.

As to his vote for a bill to provide money for maintenance of the stadium at Kansas City and new sports stadium in St. Louis, Bean declared this was a commitment that had been made by the Democrat controlled House and Senate in the mid 90s and signed by then governor Mel Carnahan.

While he said he would not have voted in favor originally, Bean added, "We have to keep our commitments, and this was a commitment by our state"

As to the allegation he voted for a bill that cut 20,000 kids off the Children's Health Insurance Program, Bean explained there are a lot of people in the state with incomes of $66,000 on Medicaid.

"This bill would get rid of the greedy and help the needy," he said. "This program is designed to help those who can't help themselves, and I think people making $66,000 can help themselves."

Bean noted he had been endorsed by Missouri Right to Life for his voting record on abortion issues.

Asked about why unions are actively working in the district to secure his defeat, Bean responded "I guess they don't like me."

One reason for that, he thinks, has to do with a bill he proposed that would let local school districts opt out of paying prevailing wage rates on construction projects. That, he said, would reduce costs to district in building new classrooms and other school facilities.

He also promised he will propose the measure again in the next session of the legislature.