Judy Baker for Congress

Background:

* Born in Columbia, married 23 years
* BES in educational psychology (MU, 1981)
* MDiv, (Southern Theological Seminary, 1986)
* MHA, health administration (MU, 2002)
* Current or past member of Missouri House committees on health appropriations, senior citizens advocacy and small business
* Former adjunct professor of economics, Columbia College
* Business owner (organizational consultant)
* Involved community and PTA member
* Board member, Boone County Community Partnership
* Elected president of the Democratic Women’s Caucus for the House Democrats
* Started the “American Dream” caucus to coordinate efforts and platform items to fight increasing poverty in the state of Missouri
* President of Healthy Missourians caucus
* Member of the Budget Committee, ranking Democrat for the House Appropriations for Health, Mental Health, and Social Services and Healthcare Policy Committee
* Member of Healthcare Information Technology Champions for National Council of State Legislators
* Board member, Mid-Missouri Community Action Agency
* Legislation: "Safe at Home" - addressed confidentiality for victims of domestic violence
* Created reimbursement fund for health-care providers using recovery funds from fraud
* Directed Medicaid to reimburse for telehealth services, providing opportunity for increased access via telehealth sites at medical facilities around the state

Goals:

I got into this race at the end of 2007 when I was going up against a popular Republican incumbent because I felt he wasn't representing the values of the Ninth District and was completely supportive of many of the President's policies. I could have ran for my State Representative seat again this year (and actually had no opposition in 2006) but I felt like I could make a difference in Congress.

I want to bring my experience in health care to the US Congress, which will be dealing with related issues at the top of its agenda in 2009. My goal is to be accountable to the people of the Ninth District and represent their values - finding common sense ways to get things done, no matter if they're Democratic or Republican ideas.

Issues:

1. Making sure everyone has access to affordable health care.

2. A responsible withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.

3. An Apollo-type Project for renewable energy that will create American jobs, reduce dependence on foreign oil and save our environment.

Grassroots Support:

We believe in a campaign that is driven by people—people who are committed to change. Grassroots organizing will be the keystone of our campaign as we work across the district to listen to voters and gather new insight into the problems they are facing.

We will take the same grassroots campaigning we did during my 2004 State Representative race and attempt to bring it out a larger scale - meeting with every group who will have me and activating local volunteers, especially those in more Republican areas that probably feel demoralized because campaigns haven't been paying attention to them.

DFA Values:

As a State Representative, I have worked to promote a progressive agenda. I have worked to protect sexual assault and domestic violence victims, to extend health care services to children and seniors, and to improve nutrition practices and mental health care services in schools. While I have dedicated my work to progressive causes, I will work to ensure smart and effective spending. I will support policies that recognize working families, that support a business-friendly climate, and that invest in jobs for people working here, in Missouri.