The head budget writer in the Missouri House wants to be State Treasurer.
State Rep. Cody Smith, R-Carthage, is one of six Republicans running for the office. He said spending six years as chairman of the House Budget Committee has prepared him to be Missouri Treasurer.
“That gave me a tremendous opportunity to impact fiscal policy within the state of Missouri,” Smith told Missourinet. “I’ve had some success with making sure the budget is balanced, that the state government is living within its means.”
In addition to frugally managing the state treasury, Smith said he wants to develop and expand the MO Scholars program, which provides tax credits for parents who want to send their kids to private schools.
“We took the cap from $25 million to $75 million and made it a truly statewide program,” he said. “I think it could be really fostered and developed and grown into something that’s quite successful but would help add a competitive element to education in Missouri that I think we’re currently lacking right now.”
He said he’ll also practice fiscal discipline when making investment decisions on behalf of the state of Missouri. Another priority is working to improve Missouri’s economic climate for smaller banks and financial institutions.
“Working on programs like the MOBUCK$ program in communities where there aren’t a whole lot of other opportunities or options when it comes to access to capital,” he said.
MOBUCK$ is administered by the State Treasurer’s office and provides low-interest loans to small business owners, agriculture producers, and local governments.
Smith is running against incumbent State Treasurer Vivek Malek, who was appointed to the job in December of 2022 by Governor Mike Parson. Other Republicans running for State Treasurer include Andrew Koenig, Lori Rook, Tina Goodrick, and Karan Pujji.
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