Friday, January 26, 2018

Bost Q&A

Rep. Mike Bost had a Qand A yesterday at noon sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Some comments:

1. Smaller turnout than I expected, especially given that the Chamber sent out an email yesterday morning saying that the event had filled. The meeting was held in the Old Train Depot with less than 30 people attending and seats available. I almost didn't go after receiving the email, since I figured the place would be packed.

2. Written questions from the audience were taken rather that voiced ones.

3. Most questions had to do with Bost's stance on DACA and immigration. Bost favors reauthorization of DACA but wants it coupled with more money spent on border security.

4. High speed rail, esp. between St. Louis and Chicago. Bost favors investing in this as well but need to take into consideration its effect on rail freight between the two cities.

5. A economic development program that both Carbondale and Marion participate in is expiring. Bost will look into the possibility of continuing it.

6.Should people be allowed to refuse service to others based on religious beliefs? Bost thinks the government should minimize its interference in private business, i.e. if you are a pharmacist who doesn't want to sell a "morning after" pill, you should not have to stock it.  Not quite clear as to his position on discrimination against LGBT individuals for religious reasons.

7. Strong support of care for veterans and wants to make sure that disabled veterans get the best care available. Less sure on rights for other disabled Americans as that is the purview of other committees in Congress

8. Thing that most people do not realize about his job is how much time he spends on it. He didn't realize how many hours it would take.

9. He misses people in the state legislature but not the legislature itself.

10. Some questions were shouted at him from a group in the corner opposite from me. I gathered they weren't supporters of either his or the President's agenda.

The entire event lasted half an hour. Rep. Bost started taking questions shortly after noon and exited the room very quickly about 12:40

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