JEFFERSON CITY — Frequent readers of my guest column will already know that I am for a limited government that sticks to essential services and core functions. There is no more important function of government than to enforce laws, especially those laws that protect our children. 

It is unfortunate that one side effect to the growth of the Internet is that it has become a place for predators to stalk children. We have all read stories of people arrested after a stash of child pornography is found on their computer or after a predator has enticed a child away from home. When such arrests are made, they are often the result of solid police work by a local cyber crime task force.

Our area is covered by the Western Missouri Cyber Crime Task Force (WMCCTF.)  The task force covers 27 counties and works in conjunction with municipal, county and federal investigators. WMCCTF is a proactive organization, meaning they actively seek out potential threats. In a recent nine month period, WMCCTF made 19 arrests. There were 282 during the same period statewide by other task forces.

Since 2006, the Missouri budget has included money for these task forces. From 2010-2013, the funds came almost exclusively from federal stimulus dollars. Beginning in 2013, the state started to fund these task forces from general revenue again. In 2014, your tax dollars provided over $1.4 million to these critical groups.

In 2015, the Legislature provided another $1.4 million. This line item passed both chambers with no significant debate. Unfortunately, the governor has withheld every dollar of that appropriation. In the first three months of the fiscal year, not a single state dollar has gone to help fund the groups that are proactively protecting our vulnerable children. 

I have never understood the rationale of the governor when it comes to withholds. The governor has that power so that if revenues are below estimates we can still balance the budget as required. But this governor often withholds funds before a clear deficit is even in sight, and his choice of what to withhold often makes no sense.

I urge the governor to release the funds for cyber crime task forces immediately so that these important programs can achieve the results they have in the past. During the veto session in September, we were able to override many of the governor’s misguided vetoes of similar critical programs. We have no power, currently, to override his withholds. It will be the governor alone who can right this wrong.

I would also urge readers to take a careful look at Amendment 10 on the Nov. 4 ballot. While my policy is to not support/oppose ballot measures from my official office, Amendment 10 directly addresses the issues raised above. Since ballot measures often are a “second thought” on a crowded November ballot, I want to make sure my constituents study this one carefully.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions, and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at (573) 751-1464, or e-mail at will.kraus@senate.mo.gov.