McGauthaSimoné McGauthaDr. Anne-Marie FoleyCivic Leaders InternshipProgress Report 1 EDIT22 February 2013A. Two Week SummaryIn the past two weeks I have been learning my way around the Capitol, meeting other senators, learning who I should and should not talk to, talking to constituents and really getting an understanding of how Senator Jason Holsman feels about issues in the state. One way I have been figuring my way out around the Capitol is just by delivering documents to other senators and getting signatures. Senator Holsman has told me who I should not and who I should get to know around the Capitol, based on his connection with them. For example, if aRepublican Senator does not care for Senator Holsman or has been conniving in the past toward him, he has advised me not to communicate with them in detail because whatever I say can later be used against him. When I am talking to constituents, Senator Holsman prefersme to communicate with them as if I were him; not from my personal beliefs. For instance, if they asked a question about education in Kansas City, I would answer, “As an educator, Senator Holsman is very passionate about education. His primary focus is to strengthen the early childhood development.” The reason he likes me to only speak on his behalf is because anything I say can easily be used against him if I am not sure of what I am talking about. B. Professional Activities and Competencies In Senator Holsman’s office, my desk is right next to his and when he has visitors from other Senators or lobbyists, he rarely asks me to leave. One day, he asked me to research1McGauthaprevious donations given to Senator Rob Schaaf, specifically donations from Empire Electric Company. I did not understand why he wanted me to at first, but after I noticed that in the past 2 years, the Empire Electric Company has given Senator Schaaf over $45,000, I knew that there had to be a reason why. It turns out that Senator Schaaf has helped Empire Electric increase their customer’s monthly bills (I am not sure how, he didn’t go into detail). When lobbyist came in from Empire Electric trying to get Senator Holsman on their side on a bill that was being presented, he said absolutely not because of their “shadiness” with Senator Schaaf. Empire Electric has been “donating” money to Senator Schaaf so that hecould support them in the Senate. By having this information of the unusual donations, Senator Holsman was able to prove that these “donations” were not really from the kindness of their hearts. After witnessing this situation, the professional skill I learned was how important it is to research the people you are dealing with because there is always something more than whatsomeone is telling you. Even though Empire Electric was telling Senator Holsman that the money given to Senator Schaaf were “in-kind donations,” the amount of money over a two-year span was extremely abnormal, therefore hinting to a different motive. C. Processes of Government Constituents are extremely important to Senator Holsman; so important that he would cancel or reschedule a meeting if a constituent walked into his office briefly. As a first time Senator, he is working toward not only making great relationships with his constituents but also maintaining those relationships he formed when he was working toward getting votes. One day, Senator Holsman was playing his guitar (he does that when he is stressed) and two constituents came in just to introduce themselves and say hi. Before they walked in, 2McGauthahis cursed (because he didn’t feel like being bothered) but as soon as they walked in, he put on the biggest smile and listened to them talk for about fifteen minutes. I knew he did not feel like being bothered, but he never let his constituents see that. He made them feel like they were the most important things to him. D. Public Policy and Missouri Issues and ChallengesSenate Bill 7 is a huge issue being tossed back and forth between the House and Senate right now. SB7 removes the two-year waiting period that exists between the classification of a school district as unaccredited and the lapse of the district's corporate organization. Instead, when the State Board of Education classifies a district as unaccredited, it must review the governance of the district to establish the conditions under which the existing school board will continue to govern or determine the date on which the district will lapse and determine an alternative governing structure for the district. This act changes the timing and purpose of the hearing that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must conduct. Senator Holsman along with Senators Curls and Chapelle-Nadal completely disagree with this act. They believe that a school district (specifically Kansas City MO School District)that has had terrible test scores for the past 20 years, should have more than two years to get those test scores back on the rise. Because of the disagreement in the Education Committee, itis hard for it to get passed that point in the process. E. Reflections of LeadershipOne task of leadership that I have noticed Senator Holsman show is, “Achieving Workable Unity.” According to Gardener, “A pluralistic society is, by definition, one in whichthere are many different groups, each with its own purposes. Collisions are inevitable and 3McGauthaoften healthy– as in commercial competition, in the settlement of civil suits, and in efforts to redress grievances through the political process.” Senator Holsman often makes “deals” with republicans in the Senate in order for them to help him with bills he wants passed. For example, he wanted a bill to get passed where the state will give more money to early childhood education. Senator Kurt Schafer (R) didn’t necessarily care to see more money funded into early childhood education, but he wasn’t against it. So, he and Senator Holsman came up with a plan to help one another out. Senator Holsman agreed to help Senator Schafer out further down the road when he needed the democrats’ help. It shows that regardless of his political affiliation, he can compromise in order to get things done. F. Future GoalsI am really excited to see how the SB7 will play out. It not only affects my hometown,but me as a future educator as well. I definitely want to teach in Missouri, so whatever is being passed now in the House will affect me in a couple of years when I am
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