Kraus: Open Forum Leads to Open Government

Last week's Open Forum was well-attended, and I truly enjoyed hearing from so many people on such a wide range of issues.  Discussion was lively and informative.  Hearing from people back home keeps me grounded in the reasons why I travel to Jefferson City to be part of the legislative process.  In the words of Abraham Lincoln, we are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.  Thanks to all my friends and neighbors who came out to be a part of this forum.

Benefits to Military Families in the A+ School Program

The A+ school program was created in 1993 as an incentive for improving Missouri's high schools. Students who are enrolled in the program in an A+ designated high school must meet requirements related to grades, attendance, public service, and citizenship.  These students then become eligible for some financial aid with their tuition if they pursue a higher education.

Recently, a constituent contacted my office about this program.  After retiring from military service, he moved back to Missouri with his family.  He wanted to enroll his daughter in the A+ school program, but found that it required three years residence in Missouri.  While state law specifies an exemption for active military, it does not extend to retired military families.

Our military families sacrifice so much in the service of their country.  One of those sacrifices is to be ready on short notice to move to other parts of the country or to serve overseas.  While this command is recognized in the current exemption, state law does not go far enough and the exemption needs to be extended to retired military.

Therefore, I filed a bill, HB 2261, that extends the exemption to students who are dependents of retired military who relocate to Missouri within one year of the date of the parents' retirement from active duty.  Students must still meet the rigorous academic and citizenship requirements of the program.

I am gratified to be in a position to try to fix a problem that a constituent has brought to my attention.  I am very pleased that this bill is being heard today in the Veteran's Committee.  Our military personnel should not have to sacrifice educational benefits for their children in order to keep us all safe back home.

Westbound Route 50 Ramp to Eastbound I-470 Closing March 22

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) will close the westbound Route 50 ramp to eastbound I-470 by 9 a.m. Monday, March 22 through April 12 to modify the ramp as part of improvements to the Route 50 and I-470 interchange between Pryor Road and Blue Parkway.

A signed detour will be in place during the ramp closure. Traffic will be redirected to continue on Route 350 to Colbern Road Exit, then back east onto eastbound Route 50 to the eastbound I-470 ramp.

This project includes construction of a half-diamond interchange at Pryor Road, constructed and open to traffic in 2007; a half-diamond interchange at Blue Parkway recently completed in 2009. Currently, crews are finishing up the project with connector roads that will span over Routes 50 and 350, joining the two new interchanges together, and completing the project at I-470 and Route 50/350 in Lee's Summit.

The addition of the split-diamond interchange will provide access to local streets at Colbern Road to the north, Chipman Road to the south, Blue Parkway to the east, and Pryor Road to the west and relieve congestion in the area. The entire project is scheduled for completion by June 2010.

Inclement weather could postpone the project. For further information about this project and others, please visit MoDOT's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/modot.kansascity, Twitter site at www.twitter.com/modot_kc, or web site at www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity. You can also contact MoDOT 24 hours-a-day at 888-ASK-MODOT to find out information or report road concerns.