Retired Vi-Jon CEO John Brunner toured Warrenton last Thursday while campaigning for the upcoming Republican gubernatorial primary, visiting First State Community Bank, the Warrenton Rotary Club and the CertainTeed shingle manufacturing plant.During his visit, Brunner, who has never served in an elected office, sought to set himself apart from fellow Republican gubernatorial candidates by turning what could be considered a weakness into a strength. Instead of focusing on policy and previous legislative decisions, Brunner played up the idea that a political outsider, not a career politician, may be what Missouri needs in its next governor.While speaking with a group of potential primary voters, Brunner fielded questions from the audience on potential policy decisions affecting Warren County residents. The first question regarded the potential to make Interstate 70 a toll road.“You know what Texas is doing with toll roads? They are getting rid of them,” Brunner said. “We have to be competitive. Everyone in government is looking for money. Our budget has increased 60 percent in the last 10 years. We’ve gone from 40,000 to 60,000 employees. What percentage has the average wage increased in the last 10 years? Zero. You need a business person, an entrepreneur, to go into the state government in all 16 departments with a $27 billion budget and find the waste and inefficiency.”Brunner said, if elected, his goal would be to cut 3.8 percent from the state budget by sifting out the government waste without terminating government jobs, which he estimates would save Missouri taxpayers $1 billion. He added that the $1 billion saved could be used to finance future road repair without instituting a toll road.“That would be a good start and help us with our roads,” Brunner said. “When revenues increase, instead of all of the legislators scrambling for the extra money, we have a fixed amount, 20 percent, that goes right back into roads.”Another question from the audience regarded Warren County’s issues with poverty. Brunner said the key to solving poverty issues is instilling hope in those out of work.“People have lost hope,” Brunner said. “The crux with Ferguson was there are no jobs. Behind it all, there is no hope. Why even study in school? Why work if there is not a job out there? Missouri is 48th or 49th in welfare to work programs. We just do not have this thing under control.”Brunner said speaking to governors in states with successful welfare to work programs may be the best way to find what works for Missouri. He added that cutting taxes could draw more businesses to Missouri, but later said there is not a legislative magic wand to flick and solve Missouri’s employment issues.“All of these governors have good ideas that are working,” Brunner said. “You need someone that is going to visit with them and think, ‘I’m going to steal this guy’s idea or her idea and bring it to the state.’ We don’t have to experiment. We may need to tweak it a bit. There are good programs that we can go through, but we don’t have the leadership.”The final question from the audience regarded Missouri’s status as a right to work state and the fervor created by legislators after a veto by Gov. Jay Nixon in September prevented legislation that abolished the practice of employers requiring employees agree to pay union dues as a condition of employment.“I’m not anti-union, but we have to be competitive,” Brunner said. “We’ve seen states like Indiana and Michigan that moved to right to work have increased jobs and union jobs have increased. People may argue the facts and figures, but, first of all, we have to remain competitive. When business people are making decisions of should I expand, put more investment in Missouri or move to Missouri, they go through a check list. Frankly, right to work is 1 of 100. It’s not the answer to everything.”Following the Q&A at First State Community Bank, Brunner spoke again at a Rotary Club luncheon and wrapped up the day with a tour at CertainTeed. Brunner said he chose to visit CertainTeed, as well as Warrenton, because it sets an example for other areas in Missouri for what they can do when their citizens come together in a unified effort.“I want to bring people from around the country to come here and visit and see a great example of what a Missouri community can do,” Brunner said. “This may be the key sales position for the state. There is a great story here and folks in this community should be proud.”John G. Brunner