Kraus: Last Week's Legislation, Capitol Visitors

Last Week's Legislation

I am happy to report that my bill, HB 1691, was heard in the Senate Committee on Progress and Development and passed out of that committee on the same day with Consent Status.  HB 1691 calls for the establishment of special days to promote bicycling and walking.  With this bill, the days would become part of the calendar of state holidays.  While it does not require a school to promote any event if school officials feel that the school environs are unsafe, it would encourage schools to promote safe passage for kids to bike or walk to school.

House Approves State Sovereignty Resolution

In legislation in the House, we gave final approval last Thursday to a proposed constitutional amendment that would assert the state's sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution over all powers not enumerated and delegated to the federal government. The House approved HJR 88 by a vote of 87-62. The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration. If approved by both chambers, it would go to Missourians for their vote.

Prohibiting State Investment in Companies with Ties to Terrorists

The House also passed HB 2357 last week, which, if signed into law, would prohibit state agencies from investing in foreign corporations that have strong business ties to terrorist countries.  Currently, those countries would be Iran, Sudan, Cuba and Syria, but the legislation requires this list to be continually updated.  The bill now awaits final approval in the House.

2009 Teacher of the Year

At left: Rep. Kraus presents Susanne Mitko with a House resolution congratulating her for her selection as the 2009 Missouri Teacher of the Year.

It is extremely gratifying to me to be able to recognize the great accomplishments of constituents.  Last week, Susanne Mitko was honored in Jefferson City for being selected as the 2009 Missouri Teacher of the Year by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  It was my pleasure to present her with a House Resolution in her honor on the floor of the House of Representatives.  Susanne teaches history in the Lee's Summit R-VII School District.  One of her many talents is to be able to connect world history to her students' own lives.  Congratulations to Susanne – it is no small feat to be named the state teacher of the year!

Visit from Lee's Summit Community Christian School

Recently, I also enjoyed visiting with students and teachers from the Lee's Summit Community Christian School.  It was a great day to be outside on the Capitol steps!  In the House Chambers, the students engaged in a mock debate to better understand how a bill is discussed, amended and passed in the House of Representatives.  So many aspects of this job mean a great deal to me, and helping our future leaders to better understand the governmental process is one that gives me tremendous satisfaction.

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.