The 48th Legislative District includes the city of Raytown and a portion of Kansas City in Jackson County. It’s a very interesting place because of its electoral history and the legislative agenda of the current occupant of the seat. There is a republican incumbent:
State Representative – District 48
Republican
Will Kraus Raytown MO 2/26/2008 3:42:14 PM
Democratic
Joe Volpe Raytown MO2/26/2008 8:39:00 AM
Let’s look at the 2006 race:
State of Missouri General Election – November 2006 – General Election
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
State Representative – District 48 – Summary
Precincts Reporting 36 of 36
Kraus, Will REP 7,646 52.2%
Moreno, Chris DEM 7,000 47.8%
Total Votes 14,646
My, oh my.
Okay. Let’s look at 2004:
State of Missouri General Election
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
State Representative – District 48 – Summary
Precincts Reporting 43 of 43
Sager, Mike DEM 8,787 47.1%
Kraus, Will REP 9,851 52.9%
Total Votes 18,638
My, my, oh my.
With all this information (and more), it’s going to take a while to get to the actually first quarter campaign finance reports. Bear with me.
Let’s look at the 2002 election:
State of Missouri General Election – 11/5/2002
Tuesday, November 05, 2002
State Representative – District 48 – Summary
Sager, Mike DEM 6,537 50.7%
Gough, Bob REP 6,120 47.4%
Bates, William M. II LIB 246 1.9%
Total Votes 12,903
My, my, my, oh my.
Nobody ever seems to win in a blowout.
Okay. Let’s find out a little bit about that republican incumbent:
Rep. Will Kraus, a Republican, represents part of Jackson County (District 48) in the Missouri House of Representatives. Elected to the House in 2004, Rep. Kraus is a Chinook Helicopter pilot and Platoon Leader in the U.S. Army Reserve.
In addition to his legislative duties, Rep. Kraus is a member of the Raytown VFW, Lee’s Summit American Legion, Southwood PTA; Raytown South Middle PTSA and the Raytown Crossroads Chamber of Commerce.
Throughout his military career, Rep. Kraus has been awarded the Air Medal (2nd Award), Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Medal (2nd Award), Global war on Terrorism Expeditionary medal, Global war on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Army Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service Bar, Army Aviator Badge, Parachutist Badge and achieved the rank of Captain.
A 1992 graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Sedalia, Missouri, Rep. Kraus received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Central Missouri State University in 1997…
And what did he do in the recent legislative session? It’s too rich – that’s why I’m including the entire list:
Missouri House of Representatives
2008
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Legislation Sponsored by Rep. Will Kraus
SPONSOR
HB1370
Exempts real property owned by individuals 65 years of age or older with certain levels of income from increases in assessed valuation
HB1381
Prohibits the employment of an unauthorized alien in Missouri
HB1426
Removes the requirement that the Missouri Public Service Commission prepare an annual economic impact report on certificates of public convenience and necessity for certain telecommunication companies
HB1427
Gives immunity from civil or criminal liability to persons reporting suspected child abuse to the proper authorities
HB1428
Changes the laws regarding mitigation of damages when the plaintiff was not wearing a safety belt
HB1511
Specifies that any person who steals certain wire and electrical devices or any property located on utility property will be guilty of a class D felony
HB1512
Changes the laws regarding the sale and theft of scrap metal
HB1536
Prohibits certain sexual offenders from being present in or loitering within 500 feet of any public park or swimming pool
HB1560
Prohibits certain sexual offenders from serving as an athletic coach, manager, or trainer for any sports team with a member younger than 17 years of age
HB1882
Authorizes an income tax deduction from a taxpayer’s Missouri adjusted gross income for 100% of any military retirement income, regardless of age or income
HB1960
Requires school districts to establish a “green” cleaning policy to promote environmentally sensitive cleaning products which meet guidelines of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
HB2213
Requires the Governor to annually issue a proclamation designating the second week of September as Parent and Family Involvement in Education Week
HB2402
Allows an exemption to the physician’s statement requirement for disabled license plates and placards for a person who is required to abstain from medical care due to religious affiliation
HB2403
Imposes term limits on certain school board members when the school district becomes provisionally accredited or unaccredited
HB2454
Changes the laws regarding the licensure of bail bond and surety recovery agents
HJR46
Proposes a constitutional amendment reducing, beginning with the 97th General Assembly, the number of state representatives to 137
COSPONSOR
HB1307
Requires higher education institutions which receive state funds to limit the amount charged for tuition to certain combat veterans
HB1357
Prohibits any person who commits the crime of nonsupport of a spouse or child from being admitted on an excursion gambling boat or casino until the arrearage is satisfied
HB1358
Establishes the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act
HB1383
Establishes the Business Premises Safety Act
HB1396
Requires the Department of Revenue to put a unique code or identifier on the driver’s license, nondriver’s license, or driver’s permit of anyone who is required to register as a sexual offender
HB1397
Prohibits certain sexual offenders from being physically present within 500 feet of a child care facility
HB1463
Prohibits the enrollment of unlawfully present aliens in public institutions of higher education
HB1467
Limits the increase in assessed valuation of residential property by the percentage of increase in Social Security benefits for the elderly and disabled who own and live in their principal residence
HB1561
Changes the laws regarding mandatory child abuse reporting to include household witnesses of child abuse and neglect to the list of persons required to report child abuse
HB1562
Authorizes a tax credit to a taxpayer for 100% of the salary and benefits paid to an employee while on active military duty
HB1715
Changes the laws regarding watercraft
HB1724
Requires registered sexual offenders to provide all of their electronic mail addresses to the appropriate law enforcement agency
HB1744
Allows certain business subscribers to place their telephone numbers on the state No-call List
HB1779
Changes the laws regarding telecommunications services, natural gas safety penalties, and excavation
HB1788
Authorizes an income
tax deduction from a taxpayer’s Missouri adjusted gross income for 100% of any military retirement income, regardless of age or income
HB1798
Establishes the Landowner Liability Protection Act
HB1802
Specifies that the appeal of a ruling on student eligibility for extracurricular activities by certain schools may bypass the administrative hearing process in certain instances
HB1814
Prohibits persons convicted of statutory rape or sodomy in the first degree from being eligible for probation, parole, or conditional release for five years if the victim is younger than 12 years of age
HB1855
Increases the penalty for endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree when shaking a child younger than five years of age to a minimum of 15 years in prison
HB1891
Requires all school districts to have physical education programs
HB1979
Establishes the Missouri National Guard and Missouri Reservists Family Education Grant
HB1980
Expands the DNA profiling system by requiring any person 18 years of age or older who is arrested for a felony to provide a biological sample for the purpose of DNA profiling analysis
HB2058
Changes the laws regarding tax incentives for business development
HB2073
Requires the State Highway Patrol to collect any online identifiers used by a registered sexual offender and allows certain businesses to use the data to check for a match with a registered offender
HB2074
Allows grant money distributed by the Department of Public Safety to investigate Internet sex crimes against children to be used to also fund training for prosecuting and circuit attorneys
HB2145
Expands the No-call List to include cell phone numbers, prohibits sending unsolicited faxes and text messages, and prohibits using automatic dialing announcing devices in certain situations
HB2154
Expands the No-call List to include business subscribers and wireless telephone services and prohibits telephone solicitations for certain political purposes
HB2215
Increases the annual cap on the amount of tax credits the Department of Economic Development may issue for the Quality Jobs Program from $40 million to $60 million
HB2247
Exempts certain local sales taxes imposed for public transporation in the City of Kansas City from being used in tax increment financing or redevelopment projects
HB2250
Establishes the Show-Me Green Tax Holiday Act which authorizes a state sales and use tax exemption on the purchase of certain energy efficient products each year and a sales tax holiday each June
HB2279
Changes the laws regarding utility regulations and the sale of scrap metal
HB2286
Establishes the Uninsured Motorist Stipulation of Benefits Act of 2008 which changes the laws regarding uninsured motorists
HB2320
Changes the laws regarding illegal aliens and immigration status
HB2333
Exempts any advance refund received from the federal Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 from the Missouri individual income tax
HB2342
Requires the implementation of a program of random drug testing for members of the General Assembly and recipients of benefits from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program
HB2352
Changes the laws regarding the registration of fictitious business names
HB2361
Authorizes an individual income tax credit of $4,000 for each year in which the taxpayer is licensed and employed as a full-time peace officer
HB2371
Establishes the Child Predation Prevention Act of 2008 regarding the sexual exploitation of a child and model curriculum for educating children regarding Internet safety
HB2376
Changes the laws regarding the identification, assessment, and education of children with autism spectrum disorder
HB2377
Establishes the Seed Capital Technology Business Finance Program Act and the Proof of Concept Technology Business Finance Program Act to assist in financing business programs
HB2378
Adds certain charitable health care referral networks and professional corporations of a physician to the list of health care providers for whom the State Legal Expense Fund is available for certain claims
HB2467
Decreases the rates of individual income tax
HB2583
Authorizes an income tax deduction for certain funeral costs of up to $5,000
HJR50
Proposes a constitutional amendment replacing the Highways and Transportation Commission with a Director of Transportation
HJR53
Proposes a constitutional amendment replacing the Highways and Transportation Commission with a Director of Transportation
Well, he’s been a busy little legislative bee. A lot of emphasis on cutting state revenue and bills of a punitive nature. That’s a consistent republican theme if I’ve ever seen one. Yeah, okay, there are bad people in the world that do bad things and we need to address that, but there are many other pressing issues facing the state, too.
My personal favorite in his legislative agenda:
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 1891
94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES STREAM (Sponsor), FISHER, YATES, SCHARNHORST, GRILL, SCHLOTTACH, FUNDERBURK, HUNTER, COOPER (155), FRANZ, KRAUS, DEEKEN, JONES (89), SMITH (150), HODGES, SUTHERLAND, BIVINS AND FISHER (Co-sponsors).
Read 1st time January 29, 2008 and copies ordered printed.
D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk
3959L.01I
AN ACT
To amend chapter 167, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to physical education.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 167, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 167.720, to read as follows:
167.720. 1. All school districts shall comply with the requirements of this section by July 1, 2011.
2. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms mean:
(1) “Least restrictive environment”, placing the student with a disabling condition at a point along a continuum of educational placement alternatives where all students coexist, interact, and learn to the fullest extent of each of their respective abilities;
(2) “Moderate physical activity”, low to medium impact physical exertion that causes an individual’s heart rate to rise to fifty to seventy-five percent of his or her maximum heart rate. Maximum heart rate is roughly calculated as 220 minus a person’s age;
(3) “Physical education”, instruction in healthy active living by a teacher certified to teach physical education, structured in such a way that it is a regularly scheduled class for students;
(4) “Recess”, a structured play environment, outside of regular classroom instructional activities, where students are allowed to engage in supervised safe, active free play. This does not count as physical education.
3. The required elements of physical education shall be as follows:
(1) Every student in kindergarten through eighth grade shall participate in daily physical education for the entire school year, including students with disabling conditions and those in alternative education programs. Students in the elementary schools shall participate in physical education for at least one hundred fifty minutes during each five-day school week, and students in middle schools shall participate for at least two hundred twenty-five minutes per five-day school week. High school students shall be required to earn two credits or four semesters of physical education for graduation;
(2) A minimum of one recess period of ten minutes per day shall be provided for children in kindergarten through fifth grade;
(3) Schools shall establish specific learning goals and objectives for physical education. A sequential, developmentally appropriate curriculum shall be designed, imple
mented, and evaluated to help students develop the knowledge, motor skills, self-management skills, attitudes, and confidence needed to adopt and maintain physical activity throughout their lives. The physical activity program shall:
(a) Emphasize knowledge and skills for a lifetime of regular physical activity;
(b) Be consistent with the show-me standards and grade level expectations for physical education that define what students should know and be able to do;
(c) Devote at least fifty percent of class time to moderate physical activity in each week;
(d) Provide many different physical activity choices;
(e) Feature predominantly fitness-based activities that include cooperative as well as competitive games;
(f) Meet the needs of all students, especially those who are not athletically gifted;
(g) Teach healthy active living skills;
(h) Actively teach cooperation, fair play, and responsible participation in physical activity;
(i) Have student/teacher ratios comparable to those in other curricular areas to ensure safety and to devote adequate attention to each student; and
(j) Promote participation in physical activity outside of school.
Recognizing that all students deserve the opportunity to participate as fully as they are able, suitably adapted physical education shall be included as a part of individual education plans for students with chronic health problems, other disabling conditions, or other special needs that preclude such students’ participation in regular physical education instruction or activities. The school shall provide students who have either permanent or temporary disabling conditions with opportunities to participate as fully as they are able, rather than summarily dismissing them from the activity. A student may be excused to the least restrictive environment if a physician states in writing that physical activity will jeopardize the student’s health and well-being;
(4) All students shall be regularly assessed at the local level for attainment of physical education learning objectives;
(5) Health-related fitness testing shall be integrated into the curriculum as an instructional tool. Tests shall be appropriate to students’ developmental levels and physical abilities. Such testing shall be used to teach students how to assess their fitness levels, set goals for improvement, and monitor progress in reaching their goals. In the first through eighth grades, and during high school when a physical education course is taken, all students shall be assessed on their physical fitness proficiency using the state’s physical fitness assessment. Results shall be reported to the department in the June reporting cycle for core data.
4. Exemptions for physical education courses shall not be permitted on the basis of participation on an athletic team, community recreation program, ROTC, marching band, or other school or community activity.
5. Physical education shall be taught by teachers certified by the state to teach physical education. All physical education teachers shall be adequately prepared and regularly participate in professional development activities to deliver the physical education program effectively.
6. School leaders shall ensure the cost-efficient provision of adequate spaces, facilities, equipment, supplies, and operational budgets that are necessary to achieve the objectives of the physical education program.
7. The physical education program shall be closely coordinated with other components of the overall school health program, local wellness policy, and the health education and physical education grade level expectations.
Aw man, marching band and close order drill don’t count?
Not quite Libertarian, eh?
Next session the music curriculum will be addressed. Everyone will have to play all scales (major, harmonic minor, melodic/natural minor) two octaves in sixteenth notes at a tempo of a quarter note at 144 before they can graduate. No misteaks allowed. Sounds good to me…
Okay. How is cutting state revenue (and hence, cutting available funding for public education) and then issuing unfunded mandates for public education a responsible agenda? Just asking.
How about universal access to higher education? Just asking.
How about a comprehensive economic development agenda for the state? Just asking.
How about access to health care for uninsured children? Just asking.
I’m very disappointed that there’s nothing about ice cream cones in there.
And HB 2154?:
…and prohibits telephone solicitations for certain political purposes…
Do you think Chris Moreno (D) had an effective phone bank operation during that 2006 election? Just asking.
Joe Volpe (D), an instructor in Political Science and History, is the challenger in the 48th. His issues appear to be a mix of the general Democratic Party agenda and (perhaps) some of the concerns of the constituents of the district:
Healthcare
All Missourians deserve healthcare they can afford. Medical/Drug costs are way too high. We need to come together to “fix” the problem, so no one has to decide whether or not they can afford to see a doctor. Missouri has more than 127,000 kids without health insurance. This is disgraceful! The current administration is taking us in the wrong direction. Let’s get back on the right path and solve this problem.
Economy & Jobs
We are in trouble! Missouri must attract and keep jobs. To do this, state government must do everything it can to get businesses to locate here. These jobs need to be well-paying ones that can support a hardworking middle class family. Good jobs help make a good economy. We need to keep good paying jobs in Missouri, not send them overseas to China! Together we can stop this.
Education
Our public schools have been the victims of budget cuts at all levels. Education is the path for our young people to succeed in the global economy in becoming productive American citizens. We must protect and encourage our public school system and better financially acknowledge educators who teach our next generation of citizens. Use public funding for public schools. Help our kids, and those who use education for advancement in their lives….
On to the first quarter 2008 campaign finance reports:
Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report
Committe: CITIZENS FOR WILL KRAUS
1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED $31,982.00
2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $7,970.00
3. ALL LOANS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $0.00
9. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS ELECTION(SUM 1B + 7A – 8A) $40,102.00
15. TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS ELECTION (SUM 10B + 14A) $12,849.90
28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $43,090.41
35. TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 29 + 30 + 31 – 32 – 33 – 34) $0.00
[emphasis added]
And where did the money come from?:
Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received
Committee: CITIZENS FOR WILL KRAUS
Report Date: 4/14/2008
American Family Insur. MO PAC St. Joseph, MO 01/10/2008 $325.00
Citizens for Onder Lake St. Louis, MO 01/14/2008 $325.00
MO Architects PAC Jefferson City, MO 01/23/2008
$300.00
Sprint Nextel Phoenix,AZ See exp for overage 01/15/2008 $350.00
Busch AG RSC St. Louis, MO 03/04/2008 $325.00
Rural Telephone Committee PAC Jefferson City, MO 03/07/2008 $325.00
Citizens for Pat Kelley Lee’s Summit, MO 03/13/2008 $300.00
Busch Entertainment Corp. St. Louis, MO 03/04/2008 $325.00
Citizens for Joe Smith St. Peters, MO 01/04/2008 $325.00
MISSOURI AUTOMOBILE DEALERS ASSOCIATION Jeff
erson City, MO 03/05/2006 $325.00
Citizens for Ruestman Joplin, MO 03/31/2006 $325.00
Dick Smith Ford Raytown, MO 03/21/2008 $105.00
13. TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $100 OR LESS $2,230.00
And the contributions from his previous campaign finance report?:
Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received
Committee: CITIZENS FOR WILL KRAUS
Report Date: 1/5/2008
Shirely Belger Kansas City, MO John Belger Construction 11/14/2007 $325.00
John Belger Kansas City, MO John Belger Construction 11/14/2007 $325.00
Carole Adams Lees Summit, MO Homemaker 10/25/2007 $325.00
Ray Adams Summit, MO Adams Auto Group 10/25/2007 $325.00
129th Republican legislative Dist Joplin, MO $1,600.00
Star Loans, Inc Kansas City, MO 12/28/2007 $300.00
Citizens to elect Allen Icet Wildwood, MO 12/28/2007 $325.00
Bullseye International, Inc Lee’s Summit, MO 12/28/2007 $325.00
Blue Springs Harley Davidson Blue Springs, MO 12/28/2007 $300.00
Magic Touch Cleaning, Inc Lee’s Summit, MO 12/28/2007 $325.00
MO Insurance Coalition PAC Jefferson City, MO 12/30/2007 $325.00
Centurytel Inc Monroe, LA 12/31/2007 $325.00
MO State Troopers Ass.inc.PAC Jefferson City, MO 10/15/0007 $100.00
Consumer Lending Alliance, inc Crawfordville, FL 10/16/2007 $325.00
MO Ass. Of Municipal Utilities Jefferson City, MO 10/08/2007 $325.00
MO Podiatry PAC Jefferson City, MO 10/25/2007 $200.00
MO Health Care Assoc. PAC Jefferson City, MO 10/24/2007 $325.00
MLPA Legislative Fund MO Limestone Producers Jefferson City, MO 10/17/2007 $125.00
Aquila MO PAC Raytown, MO 10/15/2007 $325.00
Ford Motor Company Civil Action fund Missouri Kansas City, MO 10/25/2007 $325.00
Dean Development Prairie Village, KS 11/21/2007 $200.00
HSBC North America Prospect Heights, IL 11/27/2007 $250.00
MHA Northwest District PAC for Health Jefferson City, MO 10/07/2007 $325.00
MHA Northwest District PAC Jefferson City, MO 10/07/2007 $75.00
Amereican Insurance Association Jefferson City, MO 11/13/2007 $100.00
The Empire District Electric CO. Jefferson City, MO 10/23/2007 $325.00
FEAPAC of Missouri Overland Park, KS 10/03/0007 $325.00
MO Independent Bankers Assoc. Pac Liberty, MO 10/04/0007 $325.00
AMECPAC PO BOX 1645 Jefferson City, MO 10/16/2007
$325.00
KCP&L Power PAC PO Box 418679 Kansas City, MO 10/16/2007 $325.00
MO Council School Adm. PAC Jefferson City, MO 10/17/2007 $200.00
HBAMPAC Jefferson City, MO 10/24/2007 $300.00
Home Building Industry PAC St. Louis, MO 10/26/2007 $325.00
MO Cable PAC Independence, MO 11/05/2007 $325.00
MO Beer Wholesalers Assoc PAC St. Louis, MO 12/01/2007 $325.00
Boeing St. Louis, MO 12/01/2007 $325.00
Missouri Concrete Assoc PAC Jefferson City, MO 12/05/2007 $325.00
GM Motors Corp PAC (MO) Washington, DC 12/10/2007 $325.00
EmBarq Employee PAC of MO Jefferson City, MO 12/12/2007 $200.00
MBA Truman Regional PAC Jefferson City, MO 12/20/2007 $325.00
48th District Committee – Republican Lee’s Summit, MO 12/21/2007 $1,600.00
Realtors Political Action Comm Columbia, MO 12/23/2007 $325.00
Citizens for Dusenberg Blue Springs, MO 12/01/2007 $325.00
Mo Association of Insurance Agents Jefferson City, MO 12/01/2007 $325.00
The AGC MO PAC Jefferson City, MO 12/20/2007 $325.00
13. TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $100 OR LESS $6,777.00
Yep, a fundraising machine.
And the first quarter 2008 campaign finance report for Democratic challenger, Joe Volpe?:
Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report
Committe[e]: CITIZENS FOR JOE VOLPE
1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED $150.00
2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $1,375.00
3. ALL LOANS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $730.00
9. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS ELECTION(SUM 1B + 7A – 8A) $2,255.00
15. TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS ELECTION (SUM 10B + 14A) $1,718.60
28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $536.40
There’s a certain feeling of David and Goliath here…
Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received
Committee: CITIZENS FOR JOE VOLPE
Report Date: 4/13/2008
Show Me Pac St. Louis, MO 63105 01/15/2008 $325.00
IBEW Local 53 Kansas City, MO 64106 03/26/2008 $325.00
Citizens for John Burnett Independence, MO 64055 03/26/2008 $100.00
Joseph Volpe Raytown, MO Metro. Community Colleges 02/26/2008 $200.00
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $100 OR LESS $275.00
School’s out, help the guy raise some money…