Trent Skaggs emphasizes the importance of the "basics" which he considers the "Anchors of our community: healthcare, education and highways." Without improving these areas, Skaggs insists Missouri cannot be a strong force in the 21st century.

Regarding healthcare, Skaggs specifically mentions prescription drug costs. "Seniors on average spend $2,500 a year on prescription drug medications and I believe that is a travesty," Skaggs says. He believes that Missouri should follow a model similar to the one adopted in Maine in which the state agrees to buy certain drugs in bulk in exchange for lower prices, which are passed on to seniors and people with disabilities. "While this will not solve the issue it will allow Missouri seniors access to medication at a lower price without increasing taxes.

"We must pay teachers competitive wages, reduce class size dramatically, and give our children the tools they need to succeed in todayıs global high-tech marketplace. We donıt need to look far to see the politicizing of education. Every hour spent debating and fighting is an hour that could have been spent tutoring or mentoring a student," Skaggs continued.

"Good roads are vital to our community. Unfortunately, the Missouri Department of Transportation has eliminated highway improvement projects, for which our taxes were intended. For whatever reason, the citizens of Missouri, who depend on the highway infrastructure, have been short-changed. The finger-pointing must stop and the construction and repair begin," he said