http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/spotlighto_1259.mp3
We continue our report on the candidates in House District 138. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.
THE INCUMBENT IN THIS RACE, REPUBLICAN LARRY MORRIS IS CAMPAIGNING FOR A SECOND TERM IN THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
THIS FORMER FAMILY COUNSELOR SAYS IF HE'S RE-ELECTED, ONE OF HIS PRIORITIES WILL BE LOOKING FOR NEW WAYS TO FUND EDUCATION.
RIGHT NOW, PROPERTY TAXES HELP FUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
MORRIS SAYS THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER TAXES THAT COULD PAY FOR EDUCATION.
MORRIS' OPPONENT IS DEMOCRAT SARA LAMPE.
LAMPE HELPED BUILD THE GIFTED EDUCATION PROGRAM IN SPRINGFIELD.
SHE ALSO SAYS SHE'S INTERESTED IN EXAMINING HOW PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE FUNDED.
BESIDES EDUCATION FUNDING, WHICH IS ALWAYS A MAJOR POINT OF DISCUSSION DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, BOTH CANDIDATES IN DISTRICT 138 SAY THEY'RE INTERESTED IN FINDING WAYS TO LOWER MALPRACTICE INSURANCE RATES FOR DOCTORS.
REPUBLICAN LARRY MORRIS SAYS JURY AWARDS IN MALPRACTICE CASES ARE TOO LARGE AND SO, HE SUPPORTS LEGISLATION THAT CAPS THE NON-ECONOMIC OR PAIN AND SUFFERING AWARDS GIVEN TO VICTIMS.
BUT LAMPE SAYS SHE DOESN'T WANT TO LIMIT AWARDS GIVEN TO INDIVIDUAL VICTIMS.
SHE SAYS THERE NEEDS TO BE REFORMS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE SYSTEM RATHER THAN JUST TORT REFORM OR LIABILITY LAWSUIT REFORM.
BESIDES LOOKING AT WAYS TO LOWER MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE RATES, THE TWO CANDIDATES IN THIS RACE HAVE OTHER ISSUES THEY HOPE TO ADDRESS.
FOR LARRY MORRIS, IT'S THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CRIME LAB IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURI TO HELP GIVE VICTIMS JUSTICE AND EXONERATE THOSE WHO ARE WRONGLY ACCUSED.
ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT'S OF IMPORTANCE TO SARA LAMPE IS CARE FOR THE ELDERLY.
SHE SAYS HER MOTHER LIVES WITH HER AND WITH THE HELP OF A CARE-GIVER AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, THEY'RE ABLE TO KEEP HER MOTHER OUT OF A FACILITY.
SHE SAYS THE STATE NEEDS TO HELP OTHER FAMILIES DO THE SAME.
YOU'VE BEEN LISTENING TO THE COMMENTS OF DEMOCRAT SARA LAMPE...SHE'S CHALLENGING THE REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT LARRY MORRIS FOR HIS SEAT IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
THEIR RACE IS IN HOUSE DISTRICT 138, WHICH ENCOMPASSES PARTS OF CENTRAL SPRINGFIELD.