Neal Barnes

Economy

I support Country of Origin labeling. Cattle and pork producers should not have their prices driven down to protect foreign protein producers, and customers should know what they are buying at the grocery store. Learn more

I support providing support to our row crop producers. The combination of COVID-19 and our trade policies are causing farmers to stay under water. Learn more

I commit to doing our part to end food deserts in Missouri. Many folks in rural Missouri live in food deserts, while depending on the county anywhere from ⅓ to ½ of citizens are food insecure. We need to work with local communities to attract grocers and to leverage relationships with local farmers to help end the shortage of food in our communities. Learn more

I commit to bringing jobs back to rural Missouri by investing in schools, infrastructure, hospitals, and the type of community building that is necessary to retain and to attract folks to rural Missouri. Learn more

I support funding the USPS and believe the requirement of pre-funding retirement benefits requires reform. I oppose any attempt to privatize the postal service. Learn more

I support the development of a plan for the next national/global crisis which will keep farmers producing and support transportation of food to areas where there is food insecurity. Learn more

I will ensure that local communities can exercise control over that community. If a locality has regulations requiring stricter standards for CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) or restricting their presence altogether, those decisions should not be usurped by legislators in Jefferson City. Learn more

Rent is too high in most parts of rural Missouri. I commit to fighting for affordable housing options across the state. I further commit to fighting for programs that will help homeless veterans secure safe and stable housing, as well as fighting for on-base military housing reforms that secure safe barracks and family housing, free from mold and pest infestations. Learn more

Education

I support funding to promote and encourage students to pursue trade schools and union apprenticeships. Learn more

I support a Student Loan Forgiveness Program for physicians, dentists, and other allied health care professionals who serve four years in Federally Qualified Health Centers or other federally approved sites. Learn more

Students in our rural areas deserve equal access to educational opportunities. I support fully funding our public schools so that our schools are not forced to resort to four-day-a-week school session. Learn more

I support investments in on-base military public school system, many of which are in need of significant investment. Learn more

I support a program that provides student loan forgiveness for college and graduate tuition for those students who graduate with Bachelors or Masters degrees in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work and similar programs after they complete service for four years in an impoverished area of our state. Learn more

I support the further creation of dual-credit programs between high-schools and colleges. This can include low-cost transfer programs between two-year institutions and four-year institutions. Learn more

I support the creation of a system where we cover students’ tuition in exchange for a four-year commitment to teach in our rural public school system. Learn more

Environment / Energy

I support coordination and discussion between our farmers and agricultural community and our environmental community. Learn more

Guns

I support universal background checks on sales and support ensuring our kids can attend safe schools. We oppose all acts of domestic terrorism and call for the creation of a Domestic Terrorism Task Force at the federal and state levels so that law enforcement has the tools to identify and mitigate terrorism on American soil. I support laws that keep guns out of the hands of abusers who are convicted of domestic violence charges. Learn more

I support the 2nd Amendment. Learn more

Healthcare

For our military families, I support encouraging rural health care professionals to cover those who use TriCare for insurance purposes, and we support incentivizing health care professionals to accept military dependent patients. Learn more

For mental health care and drug addiction treatment, I support establishing drug courts, developing new treatment sites that provide long-term addiction services that treat the addict as well as the family, and providing job training and support for those who stay clean and sober. Learn more

I believe that every person has the right to quality, affordable, and accessible health care, no matter their age, gender, zip code, or race. Learn more

I support expanding Medicaid in Missouri. Learn more

I support a deliberate and intentional funding for a mental health care program focused on the unique challenges that folks in rural areas experience. Learn more

I support expanding Comprehensive Community Health Centers as a means to providing comprehensive care in our rural areas. Learn more

I support the decision made by Missouri voters in 2018 regarding Medical Marijuana, and support physicians who, when selecting the best treatment for their patient, prescribe medical marijuana, including to veteran patients with PTSD. Learn more

Infrastructure / Transportation

I support a national adaptation policy that includes investment in infrastructure and provides plans on flood mitigation efforts and sustainable farming. Learn more

I commit to working to make sure every single person in Missouri has access to the Internet. Learn more

Wages / Job Benefits

I support fully-funded, low-cost daycares for civilian and military families. There are many childcare deserts in rural Missouri, and we are committed to ensuring that regardless of zip code, folks have a safe, high-quality option for childcare. Learn more

I support increased pay and fully funded pensions for our educators. Learn more

I support a federal minimum wage increase and support the minimum wage increase that Missouri voters passed in 2018. Learn more

I support organized labor and oppose Right to Work for Less. Learn more

I support the development of a Universal Pre-K option so that all kids can get the start they need in life. Learn more