Schoeller, supporters engage in metaphorical pork cutting

I enjoyed this news release from Rep. Shane Schoeller, R-Springfield, who is taking a shot at the speaker pro tem position:

In a record turnout, more than 500 dinner guests joined Rep. Shane Schoeller Thursday, July 23, in cutting the pork in Missouri. While the pork they cut at the BBQ hosted by Rep. Schoeller was the pork on their plates, the event called attention to the continued need in cutting wasteful spending in Missouri’s budget.

“We had a huge turnout for this BBQ and I am overwhelmed to have the support of so many hardworking Missourians who want their government to live within its means,” said Rep. Shane Schoeller. “The pork on our plates was the perfect way to bring attention to the importance of spending citizens' tax dollars wisely.”

Joey Williams of Springfield who attended the BBQ said, “This was the perfect way to show my frustration with all the wasteful spending going on in government. Shane has always fought pork barrel spending and I’m thankful to have someone like him watching how my tax dollars are spent in Jefferson City.”

Along with calling attention to wasteful spending, the event offered folks a chance to contribute to Rep. Schoeller campaign to become the next Speaker Pro-Tem, which is the number two position in the Missouri House. His supporters donated more than $8,000 to his efforts, which will help him not only win re-election but will also help him become the next Speaker Pro-Tem.

As Vice-Chairman of both the Appropriations and Ways and Means committees in the Missouri House, Rep. Schoeller is in a strong position to identify and cut wasteful spending. Because of his leadership in the budget process, over $200 million was set aside for emergency times, helping Missouri to endure its current revenue shortfalls without raising taxes.

“Being Vice-Chairman of two important committees has allowed me to take part in cutting wasteful spending and balance our state’s budget. As Speaker Pro-Tem, I will continue to shrink the size and cost of state government so that we can allow citizens to keep more of their own hard earned dollars,” Rep. Schoeller added. “With the current economic downturn and how they are handling it in Washington, what we do with tax payer dollars here in Missouri over the next two years is more important than ever!”