Ferguson Assesses the Upcoming Race for Lieutenant Governor

Ferguson Assesses the Upcoming Race for Lieutenant Governor

(Belton) - Mike Ferguson, Libertarian candidate for Missouri Lieutenant Governor, says the upcoming campaign will center around one main topic: Missouri's economy. The three candidates: Peter Kinder, Bekki Cook and Ferguson offer different perspectives on the issues that impact Missouri.

According to Ferguson "It's clear that both Senator Kinder and Bekki Cook have no interest in reducing the expense of Missouri's government or in getting the state off the backs of our small businesses and taxpayers. That is what sets me apart from my opponents."

Under Senator Kinder's watch as President Pro Tempore, state government spending has increased. Also, Kinder was a major backer of the plan that would have forced Missouri's taxpayers to provide tens of millions of dollars towards the construction of a new stadium for the St. Louis Cardinals.

"Senator Kinder calls that “economic development”; I call it “corporate welfare” and it is wrong. The Ohio billionaires who own the Cardinals should pay for their own ballpark for one simple reason: they can. Missouri's taxpayers should not be put on the hook for the project. This is one example of Senator Kinder's catering to wealthy special interests rather than protecting taxpayers."

The differences between Mike Ferguson and Bekki Cook are also distinct. While Ferguson wants tax cuts, Bekki Cook has already said she wants to bring back a tax plan that voters have already rejected. In an essay called "Unanswered Questions" on her campaign website, Ms. Cook stated that a tax hike on alcohol and tobacco products should be put back in front of voters.

The only problem with that, Ferguson points out, is that the voters have already rejected the tax hike. "What part of “no” is Ms. Cook not listening to?" Asked Ferguson. "We do not need more taxes on anything, we need a better environment for business in this states and that can only happen with fewer taxes."

Mike Ferguson is the only candidate in the race for Lieutenant Governor with a real economic plan. Ferguson's proposals include:

A significant, permanent income tax cut for all Missourians.
Providing a financial incentive to taxpayers to move as much of Missouri's social services into the private sector as possible by providing a 5% "bonus" to the income tax deductions for money Missourians donate to various private sector social service agencies, who provide for those in need more efficiently than our current government bureaucracy.
Appointing a committee to comb through state law in order to identify all regulations, fees and licenses that harm small businesses still on the books. The committee will then provide the Legislature with its findings and recommend repealing the antiquated laws and expenses.
Setting a clear example of how vital it is to cut spending in Missouri's government by starting with his own salary. If elected, Mike Ferguson will reduce his own salary from the current $77,000 per year to $50,000.

Ferguson stated "In order to bring good jobs back, we must make Missouri the friendliest state in America for small business. Small business is the backbone of our economy. We must stop overtaxing and over regulating small businesses so they can do what they do best: create jobs and support our communities."

Missourians who want to send a real message with their vote this year can do so by rejecting both Peter Kinder's and Bekki Coook's big-government approach to government and voting for Mike Ferguson for Lieutenant Governor. For more information, visit the Ferguson for Lt. Governor website at: http://www.mikeformissouri.com.

Contacts: Mike Hurley at team@mikeformissouri.com or (816) 405-5450 or

Mike Ferguson at mike@mikeformissouri.com or (816) 668-9495

2008Missouri LPCandidates

2008
Missouri LP
Candidates