Kraus: Tough Decisions

The Right Decision Is Not Always the Easy Decision

One of the most difficult responsibilities that I have as a legislator is to vote. Taking care of constituent concerns is rewarding. Meeting with business and social groups in the district is always a pleasure. Introducing legislation, while often hard work, pays off when good changes are made to state laws.

While not every vote is difficult, I try to look closely at each piece of legislation and ask several questions. How will the district I represent feel about the bill? How will the bill affect Missouri and Missourians in the short and long runs? Is the bill fiscally responsible? Does the bill pick winners and losers? Most often, not all of the answers are positive for any one bill, especially a bill that is controversial.

Often, my vote on a bill will be a matter of principle. I have tried to make those principles clear, both during my campaign and since taking office. Those principles are outlined in the 8^th District office Mission Statement that we released earlier this year and that is available on our website by clicking on the link for Mission Statement.

That brings me to my stand against extending unemployment benefits past 79 weeks. I voted against such a benefit extension as a Representative and will vote against an extension again this year. I believe that our federal fiscal situation demands that every new expenditure be questioned. Because of our public debt – over $14 trillion dollars – you and I are not the ones paying for these new benefits; our grandchildren are paying for them. At what point will we stop burdening our grandchildren, no matter how worthy the current cause?

No one I have spoken to is for unlimited benefits. The issue is only whether 79 or 99 weeks is appropriate. Each week, people drop off the 99 week list, with no one lobbying for even more benefits.

To be very clear, I have personally spoken on this issue for around an hour on the floor. Because I believe it is incumbent on us as a Senate to fully explore all issues, my goal was to talk on this issue for a couple of hours, then let the issue come to a vote. Other senators may have planned the same or longer discussions – that is their choice. As of this week, we had only talked on this issue for about six hours.

I understand that this is an emotional issue, and many of the emails I have received, mostly from out of my district, reflect that. A lot of e-mailers want me to “do the right thing.” I honestly question if spending money we don’t have and saddling our descendents with debt is the right thing to do, no matter what the immediate benefit or need.

Earlier this week, it looked like the Senate had found a compromise to allow a vote on the unemployment funds on the condition that the Governor would agree to reject a separate pot of federal stimulus funds in House Bill 18. Since then, the ball has been on the Governor’s desk. While he has publicly said unemployment funds were a priority for him, his actions have not reflected that because he has not responded to the request to compromise.

Since the Governor would not even meet with our group, the senators who have been against this increased spending reached out to Senate leadership. They have now agreed to help us withhold money from HB 18, the stimulus budget bill, and save as much as $250 million. Based on the compromise, we allowed the issue to move forward.

In closing, I ask only one thing: that my constituents know that I will carefully, honestly, and prudently look at each issue before me. I can’t agree with each of you on every issue – usually a large portion of my constituents disagree with each other on any given issue. But I will do my best to represent the principles that you sent me to Jefferson City to represent. I believe that is what you would want.

Welcome Visitors

Again this week, constituents from District 8 took the time to visit the Capitol, which I always appreciate. Some of the visitors were: Mary Ernstmann, Steven and Ellen Bishop, Connie Sperry, Jim Wilcox, Frank Harles, Mitch Schieberg, Keith Martin, Paul Crisafulli, Tom Angier, Victor Smedley, Michael Blau, Jay Greco, Tiffany Blevins, and Michael Monahan. A couple of individuals from outside the district also dropped by the office: Trudy Kraus and Chris Kaiser.

Dr. Jim Finley, Dr. Paul Kinder, and Scott Young from the Blue Springs School District were here to meet with me and their representatives in the House. I’m always happy to host this group and have the opportunity to discuss education issues.

Summit Christian Academy, Lee’s Summit, brought their fourth grade students to the Capitol to learn about state government. While the Senate was extremely busy during their visit, I was happy to still get a chance to talk a little with the students.

In addition, about 54 individuals came down for a second District Day held this week. As with last week, I was glad for the opportunity to talk with them on the Senate floor and discuss their concerns about state government. I hope they enjoyed their day in Jefferson City as much as I enjoyed having them as my guests.

On Friday, I plan to attend a Legislative Breakfast sponsored by the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce. I look forward to that.