2008 Woodie Awards
Our View: Index Editorial Board endorses McClanahan
Issue date: 10/23/08 Section: Opinions
With all the buzz surrounding the presidential election, it can be easy to forget that Kirksville voters also will be choosing local government officials when they go to the polls Nov. 4. It's true that a presidential election only comes once every four years, and selecting a president is extremely important. However, local and state elections should not be overlooked. These officials provide citizens with a much more immediate connection to government and are more responsive to the will of the people.
One of the posts in contention is Missouri State Representative for District 2, which includes Kirksville and the rest of Adair County, as well as Putnam County and part of Sullivan County. Representative Rebecca McClanahan, a Democrat from Kirksville, is the incumbent for this office, and the Index Editorial Board is proud to endorse her as she runs for re-election.
Most Kirksville residents love McClanahan, mostly because she's a prominent figure in the local community. Her opponent, Republican Thom Van Vleck, also has roots in Kirksville, but lacks the level of community involvement that McClanahan has demonstrated. We appreciate McClanahan's connections to the town, but it's her work in the House of Representatives in the areas of health care and higher education that makes her worthy of endorsement. She has sponsored and co-sponsored several bills that would improve health care for Missouri residents, including HB2513, which would provide health insurance coverage for all uninsured children in the state. She also serves on the MO HealthNet Oversight Committee, created to oversee Missouri's public health care system.
McClanahan has shown a similar commitment to increasing the accessibility of higher education. She co-sponsored legislation such as HB 2533, which reduces income taxes for some public college tuition costs, and HB 2048, the Textbook Transparency Act. In addition, she serves on the House's Higher Education Committee. Both the Missouri National Education Association and the Missouri Association of School Administrators have endorsed her candidacy - a testimony to her work in this field. During her time as a State Representative, McClanahan has continually advocated for improved health care and higher education, and we are confident she would continue this work during her second term.
One of the posts in contention is Missouri State Representative for District 2, which includes Kirksville and the rest of Adair County, as well as Putnam County and part of Sullivan County. Representative Rebecca McClanahan, a Democrat from Kirksville, is the incumbent for this office, and the Index Editorial Board is proud to endorse her as she runs for re-election.
Most Kirksville residents love McClanahan, mostly because she's a prominent figure in the local community. Her opponent, Republican Thom Van Vleck, also has roots in Kirksville, but lacks the level of community involvement that McClanahan has demonstrated. We appreciate McClanahan's connections to the town, but it's her work in the House of Representatives in the areas of health care and higher education that makes her worthy of endorsement. She has sponsored and co-sponsored several bills that would improve health care for Missouri residents, including HB2513, which would provide health insurance coverage for all uninsured children in the state. She also serves on the MO HealthNet Oversight Committee, created to oversee Missouri's public health care system.
McClanahan has shown a similar commitment to increasing the accessibility of higher education. She co-sponsored legislation such as HB 2533, which reduces income taxes for some public college tuition costs, and HB 2048, the Textbook Transparency Act. In addition, she serves on the House's Higher Education Committee. Both the Missouri National Education Association and the Missouri Association of School Administrators have endorsed her candidacy - a testimony to her work in this field. During her time as a State Representative, McClanahan has continually advocated for improved health care and higher education, and we are confident she would continue this work during her second term.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 7
Karl Schneider
posted 10/23/08 @ 12:26 PM CST
Proponents of easy access to abortion should love McClanahan. She is in lock-step with the pro-abortion lobby as much as any other Democrat, national or local. (Continued…)
Kirksville Voter
posted 10/23/08 @ 3:32 PM CST
McClanahan has done more in the last two years to reduce abortion than all of your Republican majorities have done after controlling everything from Jefferson City to Washington DC. (Continued…)
Brian Kerby
posted 10/23/08 @ 4:58 PM CST
Funny how you dismiss Thom Van Vleck as not as involved in the community as McClanahan. Then you feature an article about the Highland Games, and state what a wonderful thing for the community the Games are. (Continued…)
Lied to Student
posted 10/24/08 @ 8:56 AM CST
Two years ago when visiting Represenative McClanahan in Jefferson City, she was asked about the Lewis & Clark Initiative that was passed and will hopefully provide the funding for the renovation of Pershing Building. (Continued…)
Rebecca McClanahan
posted 10/25/08 @ 7:06 PM CST
I was surprised and humbled to see the Index endorsement for my re-election. I have worked hard for north Missouri and I am hopeful I have the opportunity to continue what I have started. (Continued…)
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