Steelman embraces underdog label

For some, the designation of “underdog” is an insult. For Republican Sarah Steelman, who is seeking to win her party’s nomination for governor, it’s a label to be embraced.
“I always kind of feel like an underdog. That’s OK. I don’t mind that,” said the Missouri state treasurer during a stop at the Courier-Post Tuesday afternoon. “I think when you’re fighting for the people over special interests you’re always at a slight disadvantage because the establishment doesn’t like that. They don’t want to shake up the status quo. They want everything as politics as usual and I don’t want that. I have to fight hard to get out there and get votes. But once people understand what I’m about, what I’m doing and what I believe in I think they agree.”
Steelman points to her policy regarding conflict of interest as an example of where her beliefs fly in the face of the old political system.
“I think if you’re an elected official, statewide official or legislator, you should not be able to use taxpayer money to benefit yourself personally, or your business. I think that’s wrong,” said Steelman, adding that issue is one which separates her from Congressman Kenny Hulshof, who also is running for governor in the GOP.
Steelman also bristled at late-night action by the Missouri Legislature which essentially derailed her conflict policy.
“They put an amendment on a bill undoing it and didn’t even have the guts to go on record for how they voted for it. That overrode my conflict policy that elected officials couldn’t get into taxpayers’ pockets,” she said.
For weeks, Steelman has been traveling the state, listening to the concerns of Missourians. One issue stands out above all others.
“It is the economy. It’s gas prices. I hear that everywhere I go,” she said. “I think people are worried. It’s difficult at the pump, no question about that, but I think they’re worried about what’s going to happen in the future if we continue with the high prices. How does a family make ends meet? It’s difficult. How does an economy stay strong in a state so you know you’re going to have a job in the future?”
To help Missouri families, Steelman has introduced a tax relief proposal. It would increase personal exemptions from $2,100 to $2,625 and deductions for dependents from $1,200 to $2,100.
“Together that equals for a family with two kids around $171 per family,” she said. “That’s one move that we could make at the state level to make sure people are keeping some of their money to help make ends meet.”
Steelman says Congress is partly to blame for the nation’s sagging economy.
“We’ve had Congress spending like drunken sailors for the past six years now and the deficit has exploded,” she said. “The federal government is getting bigger and they don’t have to pay for it. Our future generations are going to have to pay for the deficit. When you have so many dollars out there what’s going to happen? The value of our dollar is going to decrease and the value of commodities is going to go up. That’s part of the problem, too.
“That’s how I contrast myself with my opponent, Congressman Hulshof. He’s been in Congress. He’s been overspending. I’ve been in this state exercising fiscal discipline in my office as state treasurer, and as governor you have to do that. You have to balance the budget. You have to spend within your means, just as every Missouri family has to spend within its means.”