Who is Stephanie Hein?
Early Life and Schooling
Stephanie Hein has a lifelong devotion to the state of Missouri, its people and its values, that will guide her faithfully as a member of the Missouri General Assembly.
Stephanie was born in southwest Missouri and raised in a family of public educators. Her dad was a middle school principal, her mom was a middle school teacher, and her uncle was a reading recovery teacher while her aunt, founding director for the Missouri Reading Initiative, taught and was an elementary school administrator.
Stephanie is a true product of the region’s public education system. She graduated top of her high school class in Hartville, MO. There, she won state-level science competitions in chemistry and garnered a number of local and national academic honors.
Active in extracurricular activities, Stephanie gained all-state recognition in band and was part of her school’s dance squad. Her first part-time job while at school was working the breakfast shift at a local fast-food restaurant.
Higher Education
Stephanie continued her education at Missouri State University, and received a bachelor of science degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Administration. She later earned a master’s degree in business administration. She now holds a doctorate from the University of Missouri – Columbia in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis.
Professional Life
After graduation, Stephanie started her professional career in the multi-billion-dollar food and beverage industry where she honed her skills in business and finance. It’s also where she would meet her husband, Tony.
The two of them lived together in different cities across the country as their careers progressed. When it came time for their daughters Megan and Emily to start school, they knew it was time to move back to Missouri, and since 2001, the Hein family has proudly called Missouri home.
Following in her family’s footsteps, Stephanie transitioned her career into education. As an experienced teacher, Stephanie was head of Missouri State University’s Department of Hospitality Leadership, where she advocated for providing her students a high return on their education investment. In doing this, she frequently served as a bridge between academia and industry so that her students could have the best employment opportunities possible.
Community Involvement
Stephanie also understands the importance of interacting in community life outside of one's career. She is the past chair of the Springfield Convention and Visitor Bureau Board of Directors, has served on Springfield’s Airport Task Force, and was named one of Springfield’s Influential Women in 2014. Stephanie remains an active member of the Rotary Club of Springfield, which is part of an influential worldwide organization whose creed values truth, fairness, fellowship and service above self.
Both professionally and personally, Stephanie loves working alongside others to achieve the highest-value results for all. In this vein she brings the know-how, compassion and common sense needed to reach the goals of providing economic security, educational opportunity, and quality healthcare access to all Missourians.
Click HERE to begin making calls for Stephanie.
Ready to make calls? Click HERE. Want to know more? Scroll down to see where Stephanie Hein stands on the issues.
Fiscal Responsibility
I believe in the saying “show me your budget, and I’ll show you your values.” Our state’s budget serves as a moral contract with our citizens. Every year, it is up to the state government to allocate the tax dollars you pay to maintain and improve our quality of living.
But while our schools are underfunded, our healthcare costs are on the rise, and our infrastructure is crumbling, corporations in Missouri are receiving tax cuts and incentive packages.
We simply should not be handing out money to corporations hoping that prosperity will trickle down. As your state representative, I am committed to being a careful steward of your tax dollars in Jefferson City.
I believe you and your family are the economic drivers of our state. Our budget should reflect that by investing in the things that will improve your family’s life, rather than lining the pockets of big businesses.
Education
I believe in the saying “show me your budget, and I’ll show you your values.” Our state’s budget serves as a moral contract with our citizens. Every year, it is up to the state government to allocate the tax dollars you pay to maintain and improve our quality of living.
But while our schools are underfunded, our healthcare costs are on the rise, and our infrastructure is crumbling, corporations in Missouri are receiving tax cuts and incentive packages.
We simply should not be handing out money to corporations hoping that prosperity will trickle down. As your state representative, I am committed to being a careful steward of your tax dollars in Jefferson City.
I believe you and your family are the economic drivers of our state. Our budget should reflect that by investing in the things that will improve your family’s life, rather than lining the pockets of big businesses.
Economic Vitality
A strong economy is one that works for everyone. All Missourians deserve the peace of mind that comes with having a roof over your head, food on the table, and resources to pay bills.
As your state representative, I will fight for those who truly build up our economy—our workers—for the wages, benefits, and protections they deserve. I will support investments in educational opportunities to support a 21st century workforce.
Missouri's economy should allow you to earn a good living and retire in dignity after a lifetime of work. When you grow household income and reduce the poverty level, you can begin to solve some of the critical challenges facing our community.
I will work for policies that support local businesses who provide good jobs in our state and keep our economy growing. And, I will work to bring new businesses here that want to capitalize on our skilled Missouri workforce and quality of life. But, I will always put workers’ interests before the special interests of large corporations.
Healthcare
Quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare is every Missourian’s right. But, each year Missouri families must choose between buying vital prescription drugs and covering everyday living expenses. Meanwhile, critical state services such as the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Social Services go woefully underfunded comprising the well-being of the most vulnerable in our state.
At the same time, Missouri has left millions of federal dollars on the table meant for expanding healthcare access to our neighbors who need it the most. This inaction means less healthy communities, higher premiums for those with coverage, and the loss of hospitals, especially in rural areas.
As your state representative, I will support common sense measures like funding the expansion of Medicaid, reducing the cost of life-saving prescriptions, and stopping insurance companies from unjustly denying coverage. Equally as important, I will fight to restore the right of women to make healthcare decisions without interference from politicians.
