Kraus: 2010 Session Priorities

Three overall priorities are in place to guide the 2010 session.  In brief, the state budget must be balanced despite severe fiscal constraints, our economy needs revitalization, and our work at the Capitol must be conducted with the highest ethical standards.

In devising the state budget, I take very seriously the responsible management of our tax dollars.  Washington may spend as if there is no tomorrow – but that is not how we have managed the budget in my five years in the Missouri House of Representatives.  You can also be confident that we will not raise your taxes.  I know that families all across the state are tightening their budget and cutting expenses, and we must follow their lead.  I do not want to burden our citizens with higher taxes; a better solution is to control spending.

Last session, the House of Representatives crafted and passed a comprehensive jobs bill that was eventually passed by the Senate and signed into law by the Governor.  In 2010, our effort to grow Missouri's business climate continues to be a top priority. In this effort, I look forward to joining my colleagues in the House to boost Missouri's economy and put our citizens back to work.

This year, another big issue will be ethics reform.  In crafting legislation, the goal is to remove even the appearance of impropriety in the legislative process.  Regardless of party affiliation, we all can agree the sanctity of the legislative process must be preserved so that this and future legislatures can honorably serve the will of the people. This is also a bipartisan issue as members from both sides of the aisle want to ensure our system of government has the level of transparency and accountability that the people of Missouri deserve.

The Nuts and Bolts

With the session priorities in place, bills filed, and Capitol halls crowded and noisy, we now allow time for democratic representation to work.  The first two weeks of session are mostly devoted to setting up the process.  After a bill is filed, it is usually assigned to a relevant committee for discussion and public hearing.  All committee hearings are required to be announced with a 24-hour advance notification.  At these meetings, not only do we as legislators have a chance to debate and question a bill, but the public is always welcome and given the opportunity to both listen to the debate and offer comments.

Some of the most important work on a bill is done through the open and transparent process of committee hearings.  If there is an error in the bill or public input brings up an issue that needs to be considered in order for the bill to be effective to its purpose, an amendment can be written, debated, and incorporated into the bill at that time.  Sometimes the discussion leads to major changes in the legislation and leads to a House Committee Substitute.

I look forward to this work and to hearing the differing views on legislation brought before the committees on which I serve.  I want to ensure that, if new legislation is brought to the floor, it is based upon sound conservative principles that most help the citizens of Missouri and lead to a prosperous state.

2010 Open Forum

I am always looking for opportunities to hear from my constituents.  Open forums are a great opportunity to let me know your concerns about state government.  This year, I will be hosting one at John Knox Village. The forum will start with a short presentation on legislative work and then the floor will be open for questions and comments.  If you have any questions about this event, please contact my office at (573) 751-1459.  I hope to see you there.


Open Forum
Places Manhattan RoomJohn Knox Village
1001 NW Chipman Road
Lee's Summit, Missouri 64081
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

With the beginning of the 2010 Legislative Session, the Capitol Report will be issued about once a week. During this time, if you have an event that you would like me to attend or speak at, please contact my office at 1 (573)751-1459 or e-mail at will{dot}kraus{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov.