Kraus: Mission Statement

I was inspired by a sermon in church a week or two ago. Our pastor spoke about making sure that our time is focused on what is important while eliminating time wasters. It occurred to me that it would be useful to come up with a mission statement for Senate District 8 – one that would help me and my staff focus on what is important to Eastern Jackson County. Below is what we’ve come up with. The mission statement and our objectives will be posted on Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/kraus.

District 8 Mission Statement

State Sen. Will Kraus will focus on representing the constituents in Eastern Jackson County by making them a priority and focusing his and the office staff’s time on what is important to the district. We will serve the people to the best of our abilities. In order to achieve this mission, the office will identify three main objectives each year. For 2011, they are:

1. Focus on the People
   
   Provide excellent constituent service by representing the values of District 8, listening to the people, responding to phone calls, letters, e-mails, attending in-district meetings and events, as well as serving as your voice in Jefferson City.
   
   
2. Fiscal Responsibility
   
   Be mindful that the money we are appropriating is the taxpayers’ money. We need to watch spending to ensure we are allocating funds wisely and not wastefully.
   
   
3. Economic Climate and Jobs
   
   Foster an economic climate that grows jobs by making it a priority to work on legislation that benefits Missouri’s economy. Putting people back to work is the best way to help the people of Eastern Jackson County. It is also the best way to help our budget woes by ensuring that working people who pay taxes on their income and contribute to the economy are able to purchase goods and services.
   
   

I have already started to use the mission statement and objectives to make decisions on what legislation to file and to follow. I believe this will help me and our office be more mindful of why we are in Jefferson City. I find that all too often people come to Jefferson City for the right reason, but over time, lose focus and start to put their own political future ahead of the people they were elected to represent. I am committed to staying focused on the people.

Testing for Drug Use

This session, I am sponsoring SB 74, which requires the Department of Social Services to screen applicants or recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits for signs of drug use, and to test for the use of drugs if reasonable cause is found by the department. This week, the Senate Health, Mental Health, Seniors and Families Committee held a hearing on the bill.

Taxpayers do not want their dollars to be used to buy drugs. This bill, if passed, would lead to our dollars being spent more wisely.

If drug use is confirmed, the recipient would be removed from their benefits for one year and be referred to a drug treatment program. Any children in the home would continue to receive benefits, but through a third-party payee designated by the department. Several versions of the bill have been introduced, and I’m working with other sponsors to agree on the best language. Expect SB 74 to be back in front of the committee in a few weeks. A passing vote out of committee would send my measure to the full Senate for debate.

Upcoming Elections

The following elections are scheduled in Eastern Jackson County. I encourage you to remember the dates for your area and get out and vote!

Date	Election
Feb. 8	Lee’s Summit Reorganized School Dist. No. 7 (89¢ increase in tax levy)
Feb. 8	Grain Valley R-V School District (Borrow $3 million for site development)
Feb. 22	Kansas City Mayor/City Council Primary Election
Mar. 22	Kansas City Mayor/City Council General Election
Apr. 5	Municipal Elections for the following: Kansas City (Earnings Tax Question) Blue Springs Grain Valley Greenwood Lake Lotawana Lake Tapawingo Levasy Lone Jack Oak Grove Sibley