Kraus: Capitol Events

Pace Picks Up in Jefferson City

As we get deeper into this session, the number of activities continues to increase every week. The Capitol has become a daily whirlwind of events, including meetings with constituents, Senate floor debates, and committee hearings.

We continue to look for ways to improve the business climate in Missouri so that we can see our economy grow and get people back to work. On Friday, Feb. 25, I will be in Lee’s Summit to hold a round table discussion with several businesses to hear their concerns and ideas for creating a better business climate. Darrell Brammer, with the University of Central Missouri’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies & Development, has been assisting me in organizing this meeting.

I am looking forward to working with this group. I hope to hold more of these discussions in the future; if you are in business and are interested in being a part of a future round table discussion, please either respond with an e-mail or call the 8^th District Capitol office at (573) 751-1464.

Along those lines, the Senate recently approved legislation that would cap corporate franchise taxes for companies at the 2010 rate and phase out that tax over a five-year period as a way to make Missouri a more attractive state for businesses.

The corporate franchise tax is an obligatory amount based on a percentage of a company’s assets. Senate Bill 19 would freeze this amount at what was paid in 2010 and then reduce it gradually, beginning Jan. 1, 2012, until a final sunset on Jan. 1, 2016. Companies from outside Missouri that move in after 2010 would only be charged this tax for the first full year of existence within the state. Senate Bill 19 is now in the House of Representatives for consideration.

I spend about seven hours a week in Senate Appropriations Committee meetings. Before crafting the budget for the state, we are considering testimony from all of the state departments’ budgets.

As always, I am here to serve you.

Welcome Visitors

Again this week, many constituents from District 8 visited this office, which I am always happy to see. Some of those who stopped by were: Scott Knoche, Kerry Boehm, Tracy Halphin, Pamela Hayes, Holly Iglehart, James Anderson, Twila Gregg, Brian Noller with students from the Career and Technology Center in Independence, Sabina Hersh, Vicki Tawney, Molly Blocker, Jeannette Ashby-Welter, Angela Newmaster, Jessica Wasmer, Mike Frommer, Eric and Brianna Kelly, Stephen Moore, and Craig VanBebber.

I was pleased to be able to talk with the students of Sni-A-Bar Elementary School from Grain Valley and provide them with information about state government. It was also a pleasure to meet students from the Oak Grove High School Social Studies Department.

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
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 Raytown Sibley
Apr. 5	School Board Elections for the following: Lee’s Summit R-VII School District Blue Springs R-IV School District Grain Valley R-V School District Oak Grove R-VI School District Lone Jack C-6 School District Raytown C-2 School District