Jeff Abney
DemocraticQ1 In their 2024–2025 report, the Missouri Office of Rural Health reported that 42% of counties in MO do not have a hospital. What policies, if any, do you plan to implement to address access to health care, primarily in rural areas?
“I intend to advance policies that will properly fund rural hospitals through our general tax fund. We have the tax revenue, it is all about prioritizing the funds and sending it where it will help people.”
Q2 The Missouri Department of Agriculture has reported that Agriculture and related industries have contributed 93.7 billion dollars in economic output and 456,618 jobs to Missouri in 2021. Would you continue to develop and support agtech business in Missouri as well as the education and scientific training for Missourians to contribute to this industry? Why or why not?
“Always. Education is one of my biggest issues and funding education and education programs will only net a positive result for Missourians.”
Q3 America has a growing AI industry, supporting cutting-edge innovation but raising issues of resource use, privacy, and economics. In your opinion, what are the costs and benefits of new data center construction in Missouri and how would your policies accomplish a balance between them?
“The costs of the potential financial harm to citizens due to utilities bills increasing, or straining the electrical grid or water supply, needs to be weighed against any potential upside of data centers. Natural resources and eco-friendly development are not out of the realm of capability. The local residents should always be informed of potential pros and cons and get to vote on if they want a data center in their area.”
Q4 If elected, in what capacities would you refer to scientists when you are deciding how to vote on a policy?
“I am not an expect in many areas. I believe we should trStatet the scientific community and whatever consensState they reach when it comes to a myriad of topics and areas. They will have a weighted role in developing my opinions on all science related policy.”
Q5 What are your opinions on the current state of science literacy, and how could K-12 education standards be adapted to improve the public understanding of and relationship building in science?
“It is abysmal. More funding and more emphasis on science literacy should be dedicated to public schools K-12. Many of the problems we have today are becaStatee people who passed science class with a D+ are making decisions that impact the entire world.”