Bruce Sassmann

Missouri House of Representatives (District 61) incumbent Bruce Sassmann of Bland hopes to build on his previous record during a third term. Sassmann was originally elected as the District 62 Representative in 2020. However, redistricting placed him in District 61, and he was re-elected in 2022. His previous experience includes running the family’s funeral business.

“From the perspective of state rep, our responsibility is to propose a balanced budget,” Sassmann said. ”We’ve had a surplus of revenue because of COVID federal dollars available to us.”

Sassmann noted that federal dollars are going away, but Missouri has the largest budget in history at $51 billion, though he believes the state is going to see a significant change. “Fewer dollars — I think that’s going to be an obstacle,” said Sassmann. So what do we cut? Do we cut services to citizens? What do we do?”

Sassmann said he understands the current push by some gubernatorial candidates to cut property and income taxes; however, he’s concerned about how that will affect the state’s budget. “I can’t blame them for wanting to pay fewer tax dollars,” Sassmann said. “I’m not encouraging more taxes. As a matter of fact, it would be nice if we didn’t have to pay as many taxes, but we have to have the revenue to provide the kind of services that people expect and deserve.”

ECONOMY

Sassmann prioritized rural economic development for District 61. Growth is the key to the success of small towns, rural counties, and schools, he said.

“I don’t want this to sound like I’m opposed to the Republican platform (or) Republican ideas because I’m not,” he said. I consider myself a good Republican. But if you read that Republican platform, it talks about urban economic development—specifically, it calls out urban economic development—but it never says anything about rural economic development.

“And for rural schools and rural economic development, I think we’re just ignored if you’re in the country, so I guess my passion is, and always has been, to support the economies of our rural towns—some progress, some evidence that we’re getting better rather than backsliding, because many of our little rural towns are in decline,” Sassmann added.

He said District 61’s strength rests with the people. “A team of area planners is mapping an economic development mega site in Montgomery County,” he said. “In Osage County, some passionate and enthusiastic folks are on the cutting edge of the agritourism industry. Osage County is also the home of one of the best vocational colleges in the state and maybe the country. Hermann and Rosebud, in Gasconade County, have capitalized on tourism.

“The small town of St. Elizabeth is a crown jewel and a terrific example of the quality of education available to the students in our rural schools,” Sassmann continued. “The citizens of Owensville have diversified their interests and are becoming a model community for other towns their size. Supporting our community leaders and organizations is our best hope of building better, and I look forward to helping in every corner of the district.”

INFRASTRUCTURE

Sassmann believes that access to the internet is critical to growth in rural areas. “One of the tools we need to build better (is) the communication network that connects us to the rest of the world,” Sassmann said. Businesses, healthcare, education, and recreational opportunities will grow once broadband and its support systems are available in every rural household. I believe it is a universal need and should be funded from the largest pool of funds available.

“You see this population growth,” Sassmann continued, “Well, where are people going to move to? There are those small rural towns that would love to have a little boost in their populations; it’s good for business and economy.”

ROCK ISLAND TRAIL

Sassmann is a strong proponent of the Rock Island Trail. “I’ve already mentioned that I look for opportunities to enrich your community and find some reason that we could stimulate some economic growth,” he said. “I really believe that the Rock Island Trail will be a tool that we can use (to) stimulate economic growth, and whatever the source, wherever the opportunity exists, we have to take advantage of it.

“I mean, we’re not living next to a mountain range,” Sassmann added. “We’re not living next to the beach. We don’t have a Lake of the Ozarks in our backyard, right? Teddy Roosevelt said, ‘You do the best you can with what you’ve got and where you are.’ Well, what we have and where we are is 23 communities along the Rock Island Trail, and most of them really would benefit from some additional economic development, improving the quality of life within their community. I don’t see why there’s such an obstacle or resistance.”

“I think we have the critical mass within the legislature,” Sassmann continued. “And, I also think we have within the population to support the development of the Rock Island Trail in those 23 communities. But what we don’t have is the leadership. I think there are people in power — within the legislature, within government, within private industry — who are opposed, and they have the resources and influence to be formidable opposition, but again, as that critical mass continues to change, so will the opinion. Eventually, it’ll happen. Development of the Rock Island Trail will happen in the same way as the development of the Katy Trail. It happens over a long, long period of time.”

EDUCATION 

“School choice is a new platform policy for the GOP,” Sassmann explained. “The previous policy addressed the needs of urban schools but failed to address the needs of rural schools. I was cautious to accept the far-reaching Senate education bill proposed in the last session.

“One-size-fits-all government programs often create a new set of problems,” Sassmann added. Our local superintendents expressed a fear that, with school choice, many of our small rural schools would eventually be closed and consolidated into larger districts.”

HEALTHCARE

“The cost and availability of healthcare are debated during every legislative session,” Sassmann said. Much of the healthcare industry is regulated at the federal level, but we are making progress in the state. Looking at the problem through a comprehensive lens suggests universal access to broadband will be a game-changer in the healthcare industry in rural areas.”

He added that problems often associated with mental health, homelessness, and drug use cost taxpayers thousands of dollars every year. “The priority for funding these needs is often at the bottom of a long list of other taxpayer wants and needs,” he said. “Breaking down the problem into population groups helps us put our arms around the problem as we struggle for solutions. Addressing mental health and related issues with our veterans was a big issue last session, and we were proud to pass meaningful legislation. Maybe future successes will set the example for other demographic groups within our population.”

As to how to get things accomplished, Sassmann said determination is vital. “I think the squeaky wheel always gets the grease,” he noted. “I just think you have to keep throwing it in their face, saying, ‘Hey, did you read the Republican platform? You’re not addressing rural needs, you’re not addressing rural schools, you’re not addressing rural roads. And I think we just have to be consistent.

“My father-in-law would say, ‘Never run out of breath,’” Sassmann continued. “And, you just keep talking and talking and talking and reminding people how important it is to address those rural needs and why they need to.

“I think people in rural areas have a good sense about them,” he concluded. “They practice common-sense principles, and I think that people in the country seem to take good care of themselves. I wish more people in the world would follow their lead.”