6th Senate District: Mike Bernskoetter

Party: Republican Age: 58 Place of residence: Jefferson City
Occupation: Art’s Pest Control owner and operator for 32 years
Education: 1978 graduate of Helias High School Political experience: House District 59, served 8 years (term limited out) Opponent: Nicole Thompson Mike Bernskoetter has held the 59th House District seat for eight years and is now term-limited out. He was elected to his first two-year term, representing Cole and Miller County, in November 2010. He is running for the 6th Senate District against Nicole Thompson, an occupational safety and health consultant and a first-time Democratic candidate. .

Recent state income tax cuts have been hailed by some as an economic jump start and derided by others as taking money that’s needed for social services and education. What is your opinion?

I always think it’s a good idea to let people decide how they are going to spend their money instead of the state. Yeah I think they are a good idea and they have been very helpful.

Owning your own business, my wife and I have owned Art’s Pest Control for almost 33 years now. It will be 33 years in April and so we know. One thing people always talk about is signing both sides of the paycheck and we have signed both sides of the paycheck. We know what issues there are for business owners. We know what issues there are for employees. All of those things I think are helpful. That kind of experience over the state legislature.

Voters will decide Nov. 6 whether to raise Missouri’s gas tax. Do you support raising the tax?

I’m in favor of the Proposition D gas tax. I think that MoDOT has done a great job downsizing and working with the budget they have. But I think the most important number is I see we have the sixth most roads of any state and we are 49th in funding so I think those numbers don’t really match up.

Voters will also decide on whether to approve any of three medical marijuana proposals. What are your thoughts on the issue?

Well I’m not in favor of any of the proposals. If you’re gonna make something and say something is medicine, I think it should go through the doctors and the pharmacy not just be put on a ballot and approved by the people. The way any other drug has been approved.

What other key issues do you see facing the state?

Clean Missouri, I’m not in favor of Clean Missouri. Some things on there are okay, but the redistricting part of it is not good for the state of Missouri, or the people or the communities. I think you are going to have a terrible time trying to figure out who your state rep is if the lines are gonna be more spaghetti-like and more drawn out. It will be harder for people to get into touch with their representatives.