Kraus: Your Support Needed for Job Olympics

On Feb. 25, I will be lending a hand to help the area Job Olympics program, which will be holding a fund-raiser at Culver's Restaurant in Lee's Summit.  Along with special needs students, teachers and staff from several school districts, I will be greeting people and delivering trays to patrons of the restaurant from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Please come out and support this event!

During those hours, ten percent of all proceeds from the sale of meals will be donated to the Job Olympics program.  This fund raiser provides money to stage the Job Olympics competition at Unity Village on April 16, which helps special needs students from Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, and Belton school districts to find self-supporting work.  Over 25 area employers visit that event as the students showcase their skills in a variety of fields and compete for awards.  Their talents are wide-ranging, covering such tasks as child care, computer skills and food service.

The Job Olympics give special needs students an opportunity to showcase their capabilities and receive some well-deserved recognition for their efforts.  We all have a great time and the students enjoy it.  Most important, the competition can lead to work where the students can support themselves and lead a more independent life.

The fund-raiser at Culver's will raise money to purchase materials and stage the Olympics.  I encourage area residents to come out, enjoy a meal, and support a very worthwhile cause.  The backing given by Matt Mitchell and the folks at Culver's keeps this program viable and is much appreciated.  In addition, all of the employers who support it are crucial to its success, and I am grateful for their interest in this program.  This fundraiser will be held at the Culver's on 1701 North East Douglas Street in Lee's Summit.

This program originated with Kelly Twenter, Lee's Summit R-7 School District life skills teacher, and has expanded to include students from the Blue Springs and Belton school districts.  It is truly a special occasion for everyone involved.

House Approves Special Elections Bill

In January, we witnessed the vote heard around the world as Scott Brown was elected U.S. Senator, by a special election, to fill the seat vacated by Sen. Ted Kennedy.  That special election in Massachusetts gave the people an opportunity to speak, in a resounding voice, that they wanted a different direction.  Particularly given the knowledge that we now have of that election, I believe it prudent to have direct representation from the people to fill a vacant seat when an elected official cannot complete a term of office.  Under current Missouri law, the governor appoints a replacement if a statewide office becomes vacant.

To that end, we in the Missouri House of Representatives passed legislation that would require special elections to fill vacancies for the U.S. Senate and most executive offices.  The bill, HB 1497, would require special elections to fill vacancies in the offices of lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer and United States Senator.  HB 1497 would allow the governor to appoint a temporary replacement for U.S. Senate, auditor or attorney general until a special election could be held.  It would allow the governor to manage the offices of secretary of state or treasurer until a special election.

This bill also removes the potential for corruption, such as selling a Senate seat, as has been alleged in neighboring Illinois.  The responsibility will be on the shoulders of Missourians to choose the individual that they want to represent them, and that is where it should be.

House Passes Federal Balanced Budget Resolution

Last week, we in the House approved a resolution that calls for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to require a federal balanced budget.  The House approved HCR 34 & 35 by a vote of 121-28.  The proposal is in response to widespread alarm that federal spending is so out of control and the national debt so large that it poses a threat to the future of our country and therefore to Missourians.  A number of states have passed similar resolutions.

All citizens should be concerned upon learning that the U.S. debt ceiling was recently raised to 14.3 trillion dollars.  The interest payments alone on such a debt can become a crippling component of our national budget.  In addition to economic repercussions, the government can use its deficit spending to expand its own authority, creating a self-perpetuating and ever enlarging sphere of power.

Here in Missouri, the state constitution requires a balanced budget.  While it forces some hard and uncomfortable choices at times, the requirement has led to more sustainable finances.  We in Missouri know how to balance a budget; the federal government would do well to learn this skill.

During the debate, an amendment was added to clarify that the resolution does not call for a constitutional convention. HCR 34 & 35 now moves to the Senate for consideration.