One Democrat, three republicans and one member of the Constitution Party have filed for the open seat in the 48th Legislative District located in Jackson County.

State Representative – District 48

Democrat

GAVIN FLETCHALL KANSAS CITY MO 100 2/23/2010

Republican

GARY CROSS LEES SUMMIT MO 399 2/23/2010

BOB GOUGH LEES SUMMIT MO 615 2/23/2010

PAM OSGOOD LEES SUMMIT MO 3/29/2010

Constitution

NATHAN EATON LEES SUMMIT MO 313 2/23/2010

Democratic Party candidate Gavin Fletchall filed his first quarter campaign finance report with the Missouri Ethics Commission on April 15th:

Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report

Committe: CITIZENS FOR FLETCHALL

ReportDate:

1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED $5,422.30

2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $1,605.00

9. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS ELECTION(SUM 1B + 7A – 8A) $8,429.27

15. TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS ELECTION (SUM 10B + 14A) $1,363.28

28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $590.21

[emphasis added]

Okay. Aha, there was an in-kind contribution of $2,900.00 in the January 2010 campaign finance report.

Let’s take a look at some of the contributions:

Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received

Committee: CITIZENS FOR FLETCHALL

Report Date: 4/14/2010

Greg Corwin Kansas City, MO Self Employed 03/31/2010 $1,400.00 In-Kind

9. AMOUNT OF ITEM 8 THAT WAS RECEIVED AS MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS $1,605.00

10. AMOUNT OF ITEM 8 THAT WAS RECEIVED AS IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS $1,400.00

[emphasis added]

And the expenditures:

Detailed Summary of Expenditures And Contributions Made

Committe: CITIZENS FOR FLETCHALL

ReportDate: 4/14/2010

A. EXPENDITURES OF $100 OR LESS BY CATEGORY

Campaign Phone AT&T $51.41

Office suplies $23.87

Campaign Phone AT&T $56.00

Gas For trip to Jeff City $35.32

Campaign Lunch $6.99

filing fee $50.00

Fundraising Expence $41.12

Fundraising ActBlue $19.96

B. ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES ALL OVER $100 AND ALL PAYMENTS TO CAMPAIGN WORKERS

USPS Raytown RD Kansas City MO 02/11/2010 $132.00

USPS Raytown RD Kansas City MO 01/26/2010 $176.00

The first of the republican candidates (in alphabetical order), Gary Cross, filed his amended first quarter campaign finance report with the Missouri Ethics Commission on April 12th:

Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report

Committe: CITIZENS FOR GARY CROSS

ReportDate:

1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED $0.00

2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $3,095.00

15. TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS ELECTION (SUM 10B + 14A) $397.64

28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $2,697.36

[emphasis added]

Let’s take a look at where the money came from:

Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received

Committee: CITIZENS FOR GARY CROSS

Report Date: 4/9/2010

David A Cross & Arta M Cross Lee’s Summit, Mo Dave Cross Motors Inc 03/26/2010 $1,000.00

MINK INC Overland Park, KS 03/26/2010 $100.00

12. TOTAL ANONYMOUS CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $25 OR LESS $75.00

13. TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $100 OR LESS $70.00

[emphasis added]

Cars!

And the expenditures:

Detailed Summary of Expenditures And Contributions Made

Committe: CITIZENS FOR GARY CROSS

ReportDate: 4/9/2010

A. EXPENDITURES OF $100 OR LESS BY CATEGORY

Office Depot $15.51

Office Depot $13.02

Jackson County Election Board $23.18

Office Depot $17.37

UPS Store $64.56

B. ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES ALL OVER $100 AND ALL PAYMENTS TO CAMPAIGN WORKERS

Lee’Summit Post Office Lee’s Summit MO 03/16/2010 Postage Stamps $132.00

Lee’s Summit Post Office Lee’s Summit Mo 03/20/2010 Postage Stamps $132.00

The second of the three republican candidates (in alphabetical order), Bob Gough, filed his amended first quarter campaign campaign finance report with the Missouri Ethics Commission on April 12th:

Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report

Committe: BOB GOUGH FOR STATE REP

ReportDate:

R

1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED $0.00

2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $50.17

3. ALL LOANS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $15,100.00

9. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS ELECTION(SUM 1B + 7A – 8A) $15,150.17

15. TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS ELECTION (SUM 10B + 14A) $19.90

28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $15,080.27

35. TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 29 + 30 + 31 – 32 – 33 – 34) $15,100.00

[emphasis added]

Okay, the contributions are gonna be really interesting:

Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received

Committee: BOB GOUGH FOR STATE REP

Report Date: 4/6/2010

NO ITEMIZED CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED

13. TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $100 OR LESS $50.17

C. LOANS RECEIVED

Bob Gough Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 02/25/2010 $100.00

Bob Gough Lee’s Summit MO. 64081 03/08/2010 $15,000.00

I’m curious about those seventeen cents.

The expenditures:

Detailed Summary of Expenditures And Contributions Made

Committe: BOB GOUGH FOR STATE REP

ReportDate: 4/6/2010

A. EXPENDITURES OF $100 OR LESS BY CATEGORY

Printing $9.95

Web Hosting $9.95

C. MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS MADE (REGARDLESS OF AMOUNT)

Missouri Republican Party Jefferson City, MO 02/23/201 $50.00

Low overhead.

The third of the republican candidates (in alphabetical order), Pam Osgood, filed her statement of committee organization [pdf] with the Missouri Ethics Commission on April 16th.

The Constitution Party candidate, Nathan Eaton, filed his first quarter campaign finance report with the Missouri Ethics Commission on April 12th. His campaign committee is titled “Nathan Eaton for Liberty,” which is somewhat confusing because he’s from Lee’s Summit. Oh, I get it, he’s one of those teabaggers:

Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report

Committe: NATHAN EATON FOR LIBERTY

ReportDate:

RECEIPTS

1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED $0.00

2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $20.00

15. TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS ELECTION (SUM 10B + 14A) $13.00

28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $7.00

[emphasis added]

Just out of curiosity, let’s take a look at the contribution:

Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received

Committee: NATHAN EATON FOR LIBERTY

Report Date: 4/7/2010

13. TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $100 OR LESS $20.00

[emphasis added]

Well, it could be contributions.

Let’s look at the expenditure:

Detailed Summary of Expenditures And Contributions Made

Committe: NATHAN EATON FOR LIBERTY

ReportDa
te: 4/7/2010

A. EXPENDITURES OF $100 OR LESS BY CATEGORY

Committee Checks for spending purposes $13.00

Hope springs eternal!

Could the 48th Legislative District race be the lowest dollar race in the state? We’ll keep looking.

Joe Volpe (D) is challenging incumbent Will Kraus (r) in the 48th Legislative District which includes the city of Raytown and other parts of Jackson County.

Show Me Progress took a look at the race in 48th Legislative District – first quarter campaign finance reports last month. This morning I had an opportunity to sit down at a corporate chain coffee shop in Lee’s Summit and speak with Joe Volpe:

MB: Joe, you’re running in the 48th…

Joe Volpe: Yes sir.

MB: …What made you decide to run for the General Assembly?

Joe Volpe: What brought me to call, huh?

MB: Yeah…

…Joe Volpe: [laughter] Well, it was a mixture of several things. And teaching political science I always try to get my students to get involved. I’m always harpin’ at ’em about becoming an election judge, working a campaign, so forth. So a number of them did. And then one day, they took me to lunch and said, “Okay, you’ve been harpin’ at us for months, now it’s your turn. Put your money where your mouth is.” So we did some research. And I’d been thinking about running for a couple years, sort of in the back of the mind, you know, that kind of thing. And we took a trip to Jefferson City. And I saw the current state representative [Will Kraus] in action and, to be honest with you, I was extremely under whelmed. And I decided at that point I didn’t want him to be our state representative. I thought I could do a lot better job.

MB: So, this is a matter of issues?

Joe Volpe: It’s a matter of issues. It’s a matter of style. I kind…I see it as like there’s two kinds of people that run for office. There’s people that want to be public servants and then there’s people that want to make a name for themselves. He may be one of those, the latter. I want to actually go there to help people. Because we’ve got a lot of problems in this state and this nation that need to be solved. And I don’t think we’re moving in those directions.

MB: What do you see…are the pressing issues that are facing Missouri and the Missouri General Assembly? What does the General Assembly have to deal with?

Joe Volpe: The General Assembly has to deal with a lot of things and most of which they’re either putting off, or not dealing with at all. Or they’re using fluff without substance. Just to give you a couple of examples. Health care – the one that everybody mentions. There are a hundred thousand kids in this state without healthy insurance. That is obscene. You’ve got…if you include all the people in Missouri, including the ones that nobody ever counts, there’s probably three quarters of a million people that do not have health insurance. We need to get to a point where everybody in this state and this nation, eventually, is taken care of…

…but, other problems. Something people don’t talk about very often, our infrastructure. Missouri ranks forty eight out of fifty in our infrastructure. Roads, bridges, highways. The only two states that are worse were hit by a hurricane. Yeah, what’s, what is the Blunt administration and Will Kraus and these people, what are they doing about it? Nothing. What is it going to take? A bridge collapse like in Minneapolis and a lot of people get killed before somebody does something? That’s ridiculous. These people are put there by the voters to actually take care of the voters. That’s what I want to do. Because I don’t think the current people are doing it. And the Republican Party has, over the last few years, sat on its laurels. Supposedly they had a mandate. But if they did, they sure let it go out the window real quick. You know, it’s, they’re more interested in power politics and who’s on top and that kind of stuff. I mean it’s time to get back to helping your average guy on the street. I mean, the state in March lost ten thousand jobs. What is Matt Blunt doing about it? Nothing. Except talking about his wife seeing ghosts in the governor’s mansion and stuff like that. I mean, come on.

MB: I hadn’t heard that one.

Joe Volpe: Yeah, it’s incredible. The stuff they talk about. That they feel is important. The average guy on the street, he doesn’t care about that stuff. He wants something done about these problems. And I’ve told people that whenever I meet them out on the street or in coffee shops or wherever, gas stations, there’s a good place to meet people who are really upset. You know, I tell them I’m running to actually help solve problems. I use the word change. You know I started using it even before Obama got on to that. I’m not going to get on him about it. He can use it, too. But I think we need real fundamental change in this country and in this state. I mean when you get to the economy, jobs, education – me being an educator, that’s a pet peeve with me – you know the funding cuts in this state at all levels have been incredible. Missouri ranks forty seventh in teacher salaries. Who thought that up? I mean if you don’t pay your teachers how are people going to learn? And it’s not just kids. I mean you’ve got older Americans going back. I have a, in my classes I have a lot of older students…

MB: Non-traditional students.

Joe Volpe: Yeah, exactly. I’ve had students as old as eighty, ninety years old. You know, that want to go back to learn. How are they gonna do it if you don’t have qualified people in the classrooms to teach ’em? It’s, this is one thing I really get fired up about. And when I get to Jefferson City I’m gonna change that.

MB: One of the things that various people talk about is that there is very little discretionary money left in the state budget.

Joe Volpe: Yeah.

MB. So, you know, then it becomes a matter of  where do you find the money to deal with these, these various problems?

Joe Volpe: Yeah, Matt Blunt has, was bragging that he had got a surplus, which now has turned into a deficit. I think through better planning, through streamlining, and through using taxpayer’s money wisely, instead of just wasteful, we can find a lot of extra discretionary money without raising taxes. I am not a big tax person. I mean, I have to live on my salary. I know everybody else has to live on theirs. I’ve seen rises in property taxes that have been obscene. You know, I think through better management of government and using the legislature as a watchdog on the executive branch so they don’t get carried away, we can find some extra money. We just gotta use our heads, not our back sides.

MB: In the general kind of campaign mechanics, this is nothing new to you. But you’re obviously at a point where you’re having to apply it for your own campaign…

Joe Volpe: Well, I’ll interrupt you at this point. I teach political science.

MB. Right.

Joe Volpe: And my specialty happens to be campaigns and elections. But, teaching it and actually being in it is two very different things. I mean, as the candidate it’s like a whole different universe out there. You get stuff that they don’t learn in class. You know, and you have to deal with the big shots in Jefferson City and that kind of stuff. That’s not stuff you learn in a book. It’s just stuff you have to pick up as you go. And hopefully you do it well then you get elected. But, you know, sometimes you screw up and make mistakes. I mean, we’re only human.

MB: I know that story. I know that story very well.

Joe Volpe: [laughter]

MB: Have there been any surprises for you in this process?

Joe Volpe: Well, actually there have been. Usually there’s a lot of apathy out there. But this year things are quite a bit different. People are fired up. Especially on the Democratic side. They see this as an opportunity to fundamentally change what’s going on in Jefferson City, Washington, maybe even throughout the world. You know, and I’m not just pinning that all on Obama. I mean that goes through many different candidates, through different issu
es – Iraq, the economy, everything. It, It’s, It’s finally I think hitting home with a lot of people. I think it’s awesome. That people for the first time maybe in years are coming out and saying, “Whoa, maybe we need to do something about this.” My vote does count. My participation in a campaign counts. Maybe me being as an election judge counts. Maybe voting for a certain candidate because of what he believes in, not just because he looks good in a suit or whatever, you know, that sort of thing.

MB. In talking to voters what are you finding to be their main concern or main concerns?

Joe Volpe: Well, the usual top three. Jobs and the economy. Health care. Education. Ad then there’s certain areas where immigration may be important, honesty in government, a lot of people are upset now that they’ve taken the caps off campaign contributions. And people are afraid that maybe some of the rich and powerful are gonna start buying elections in Missouri.

MB. That’s interesting. So, you, you’re, in your conversations with average voters they’re bringing up the…

Joe Volpe: Average voters bring up the most unusual stuff you will believe. Most of them, like I say, they concentrate on the main issues. They’re losing their house through foreclosure, they just lost their job at Sprint, or they’re kid’s college tuition increased thirty per cent. You know, those are the main ones. But every once in a while you get a, someone that knows a little bit more than your average voter and he knows about those limits and it’s scary. He’s afraid that maybe his influence is going to be diminished because his check book isn’t as big as somebody else’s.

MB: Your, your opponent in the general election is generally been well funded.

Joe Volpe: Yes. Still is.

MB: Still is. Are you finding that people are stepping up to support you?

Joe Volpe: I am getting a lot of small donations right now. Twenty bucks, twenty five dollars, that sort of thing. People know that on the other side there’s a lot of PACs and corporate organizations that are funneling money into his campaign. So they are helping out. I’m reaching out to as many people as I can, because as everybody knows, it takes money to run a campaign. I mean, it may not be the most fun thing in the world, but unfortunately, it does take money. It’s doubtful if I’ll be able to out raise him because he’s got so much corporate support. But, we’re gonna out work him. We’re going the old fashioned grassroots politics stuff. Door to door. Making phone calls. All that kind of good stuff. And I have a very good feeling based on just talking to your average voter – they’re, they see good in our campaign and they’re tired of what’s been going on….

….That’s the feeling I’m getting going door to door talking to people. They’re tired of it. They want people in there that’s gonna do something.

MB: And these are average people that really, it’s just, it’s about how politics, the intersection of politics with their lives, it’s only because it affects their lives. They’re not the kind of people that, that you know, play the game, picks somebody…

Joe Volpe: Right.

MB…root for them. Everything. They’re just…

Joe Volpe: And know it’s like affecting everybody. I mean when gas is close to four dollars a gallon, or they’re losing their home to foreclosures. I mean, they’re affected. They’re angry.

MB: …you see, even in other polls, the right direction/wrong track numbers. They’re like…

Joe Volpe: It’s incredible.

MB: I’ve never seen numbers like…

Joe Volpe: Eighty one per cent of the American people think we’re going in the wrong direction now.

MB: Yeah, that’s like…

Joe Volpe: …those are like great depression numbers. It’s incredible. I mean, if that doesn’t give the big shots on high some indication what’s going on then they shouldn’t be there. They need to pay attention to the guy on the street. And he’s saying “Wrong direction, change the sign. It goes that way now…”      

You know what to do. Help Joe Volpe out.

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…