BERNADETTE HOLZER'S POSITIONS ON THE ISSUES
Bernadette takes the responsibility of being informed about the issues affecting her community
and her State very seriously. Here's where she stands...
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
Every person should have the autonomy to make decisions about their body and their life. Republicans have passed extreme abortion bans in recent years, limiting access to abortion even in cases of rape, incest, or medical need.
Mothers die from childbirth in Missouri in numbers far greater than the rest of the industrialized world, and instead of promoting healthcare, Missouri legislators have placed burdensome restrictions on it.
Republicans have gone so far as to pass legislation that costs hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to defend against Constitutional challenges, while at the same time blaming budget shortfalls for lack of funding.
As your state rep, I will stand with women for the right to make the best decisions about their healthcare, for their own lives, with their own families and medical professionals!
JOBS
As a member of the Missouri House of Representatives I will be committed to protecting workers’ rights and supporting unions. I believe in the principle that every worker deserves a fair wage, safe working conditions and the right to organize.
It is because of unions that we have many of the benefits we have today like the 5 day work week. However, it is no coincidence that as union membership has dropped over the decades, wealth inequality has gotten worse. At a time of unprecedented wealth inequality, workers fighting for a better deal helps us all.
I will work collaboratively with unions and legislators to ensure that our state’s labor laws are just and reflect the needs of working people. We can build an economy where everyone is respected, empowered, and can thrive.
FARMING AND AGRICULTURE
Agriculture is the backbone of Missouri, and at the heart of it are our family farms—where many of us call home and why generations before us settled here. But passing down our way of life to future generations is becoming increasingly challenging.
Our local communities used to have a say in how farming was done in our backyards, but the Republican-led state legislature has passed bills favoring large corporate farms and pushing out family farms.
Last year, state Republicans passed a bill taking control from local communities to regulate certain large feeding operations known as CAFOs. This allows large scale operations to buy up local farms, push the production limits of the land, and pollute our communities’ treasured landscape without local oversight.
As your state rep, I’ll advocate for the state of Missouri to protect local control, giving ordinary citizens easier access to have their say on how farming operates in their community.
EDUCATION
Ensuring every child in Missouri has access to free, quality public education, irrespective of their geographical location, is a principle I hold dear.
Recognizing the importance of education in shaping the future of our state, I am dedicated to implementing policies and securing funding that will substantially enhance the educational landscape for all.
Together, these efforts will ensure that Missouri remains a vibrant, prosperous place where everyone has the chance to succeed.
As your state rep, it is my mission to bolster our public schools and ensure our commitment to the educational needs of our children is met without compromise.
NON-DISCRIMINATION
Every year for the past two decades, the Missouri Non-Discrimination Act (MONA) has been filed, only to be blocked by Republicans. MONA would allow basic protections to our LGBTQ community by adding sexual orientation and gender identity to Missouri’s Human Rights Act.
Missourians should not have to fear losing their jobs or being denied housing for who they love—discrimination that is currently completely legal in our state.
Meanwhile, Republicans in recent years have also passed legislation that makes it easier for employers, landlords or businesses to discriminate based on race, age, religion or gender—more so than in any other state.
As your state rep, I will work for a Missouri that welcomes people regardless of race, religion, gender, age or sexual orientation, and protects all people from discrimination.
HEALTHCARE
Quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare is every Missourian’s right. But every year Missouri families must make increasingly difficult decisions for how they prioritize spending on prescription drugs and medical bills over the basic costs of living.
At the same time, the Republican-led House has left millions of federal dollars on the table meant for expanding healthcare access to Missourians. Their inaction means less healthy communities, higher premiums for those with coverage, and the loss of hospitals, especially in rural areas.
As your state rep, I’ll support common sense measures like expanding Medicaid, so no Missourian is forced to choose between a decent job and keeping their healthcare.
ENVIRONMENT
In a world where the future of our planet hangs in the balance, it becomes increasingly clear that if we do not have a safe, sustainable environment to pass on to our children, all other endeavors, achievements, and pursuits lose their significance. The foundation of our existence and the well-being of future generations depend on the health and vitality of our Earth.
With this understanding, I am committed to dedicating my efforts and resources to make this Earth a better, more hospitable place for not only our current generation but for all those that will inherit this world after us.
From combating climate change, preserving natural habitats, reducing pollution, to promoting renewable energy sources, every step we take towards sustainability is a step towards securing a brighter future for our planet.
We have only one Earth, and the responsibility to protect and nurture it lies with us all. As your state rep, I will rise to this challenge, for the sake of our children, and for the countless generations that will follow.
TRANSPARENCY AND ETHICS
Faith in government and the political process is the cornerstone of a functioning democracy. As your state rep, I’ll fight to shine a light on those who conceal their donors and influence our politics with dark money.
Over the years, Republicans have eroded the barrier between special interests and politics. In 2018, Missourians overwhelmingly voted in favor of Amendment 1, known as CLEAN MO. It capped contributions and limited the way money could move in and out of campaign coffers.
Ultimately, this campaign isn’t about me. This is your campaign and I want you to be proud of it and the coalition we build along the way. That’s why I’ll provide you easy access to the sources of our campaign money.
I want to make it abundantly clear: this campaign is far bigger than any one individual. It is not merely about my aspirations or objectives. Rather, this is your campaign, a collective endeavor that belongs to each and every one of you.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
I believe in the saying “show me your budget, and I’ll show you your values.” Our state’s budget serves as a moral contract with our citizens. Every year, it is up to the state government to allocate the tax dollars you pay to maintain and improve our quality of living.
But while our schools are underfunded, our healthcare costs are on the rise while our taxes increase, and we’re borrowing money to pay for our crumbling roads and bridges, corporations in Missouri are receiving tax cuts and incentive packages.
We simply should not be handing out money to corporations hoping that prosperity will trickle down. As your state rep, I will be a careful steward of your tax dollars in Jefferson City.
I believe you and your family are the economic drivers of our state. As your state rep, I will invest in the things that will improve you and your family’s life, rather than lining the pockets of big businesses.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Central to the role of government is to fairly enforce the law, and to provide protection for its people. I will support our law enforcement officers in their difficult jobs, while also demanding accountability when they overreach.
I will support tough sentences for violent criminals, while also seeking ways to reduce our prison population and reintegrate folks into society after they have served their time. I’ll also support drug treatment courts and diversion programs that find alternative ways to punish and rehabilitate non-violent criminals without simply throwing them in prison.
No matter where you live in Missouri, the root causes of crime are the same: a lack of educational and work opportunities, along with drug addiction and poverty. As your state rep, I will support a solution to crime by resolving the core issue.