State Representative Will Kraus, 48th District, Lee's Summit

Lee’s Summit – Standing on principle, Representative Will Kraus (R-48) refused to guarantee House leadership his vote on a bill to be brought before the Job Creation and Economic Development Committee before a hearing was even held on the bill. His firm stand caused him to be immediately removed from the committee by Speaker of the House Ron Richard. The vote in question was the committee vote on the Manufacturing Jobs Act, which proposes to allow companies up to $10 million per year in tax incentives.

“Work in committee is to hash out the specifics of a bill, hear both sides, and decide if a bill is good for the taxpayers or not,” said Rep. Will Kraus. “I was in Jefferson City, ready to listen, but I was told to vote ‘yes’ regardless of testimony and discussion and without knowing the final language of the bill. That is too much like what is being done in Washington, D.C. I simply couldn’t guarantee to vote yes or no.”

“A lot of my constituents feel this bill is a bailout. I wanted to make sure that it does something to create jobs, not just bail out another Fortune 500 company. In good conscience, I can’t just be a ‘yes’ man for House leadership and forego thinking about what is best for my constituents,” said Rep. Kraus.