Lee's Summit Republican's bill would prevent teachers from being involved in political process

It's called an ethics reform bill, but SB 576, sponsored by Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee's Summit would turn Missouri's classroom teachers and anyone involved with public schools or universities into second class citizens.

Kraus' idea of ethics as it pertains to teachers is featured in this passage from the bill:

No officer, employee or agent of any school district, public school, school board, or public institution of higher education shall make any contribution or expenditure to advocate, support, or oppose any legislation, ballot measure, or candidate for public office. For the purposes of this section, the phrase "contribution or expenditure of public funds" shall include but not be limited to email correspondence, the use of letters or flyers, and the use of any property used by or in the control of any person or entity subject to this section.

While there is a brief mention of "contribution and expenditure of public funds," the rest of the paragraph does not make that distinction, making it clear that Kraus believes that in order to straighten up Missouri, he needs to shut up teachers and all others connected to the educational process.

SB 576 also includes limitations on the amount of gifts lobbyists can give to legislators (but leaves loopholes wide enough for a semi-truck and a chihuahua to get through, sets campaign contribution limits, and requires legislators to wait two years after their terms end to become lobbyists, among other things.

No matter how many good ideas are included in Kraus' bill, any bill that prevents classroom teachers from participating in the political process needs to be substantially changed or stopped dead in its tracks.