48th House District: Dave Muntzel
Party: Republican
Age: 68
Place of residence: Boonville
Occupation: State representative
Political experience: Three terms (six years) as state representative; 25 years with Republican Party committee
Education: Bunceton High School; business administration marketing degree, Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg; licensed insurance agent and licensed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
Opponent: Jeff Faubion
Recent state income tax cuts have been hailed by some as an economic jumpstart and derided by others as taking money that’s needed for social services and education. What is your opinion?
The tax cuts that recently took place have been proven and predicted to generate more jobs, more revenue to the state, and create improved economic development for Missouri, therefore will create more money to fund needed social services and education. Otherwise, the only other way we can fund these needs and departments is through increase taxes, which a majority of the citizens do not support.
Voters will decide Nov. 6 whether to raise Missouri’s gas tax. Do you support raising the tax?
I very much support the Proposition. It will not solve the massive shortfall of funds to repair all of our roads and bridges, but is a big start. If we do nothing, roads and bridges will be closed in the future and damage our state infrastructure, that could cause a huge increase and threaten our lifestyle that has been created for several generation.
Voters will also decide on whether to approve any of three medical marijuana proposals. What are your thoughts on the issue?
I am not against Medical Marijuana, but it must be strictly controlled in dispersing to the people who have a legal doctor’s prescription through a highly controlled pharmacy, so as to not have the product end up in the wrong hands of people. It has been proven that the cost of controlling Marijuana in states that have legalized it for social use, spend more than the revenue it creates in taxes, in order to collect the taxes, control misuse, and treat those who have an addictions as a result of use.
