JEFFERSON CITY — The Locke and Smith Foundation today (1-15) presented awards to the most constitutional state lawmakers in the House and Senate. For the second straight year, the Senate award went to Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit. Senator Kraus has been a finalist in each of the four years the awards have been presented, including his last year in the Missouri House.

“I am truly honored to receive this award a second year in a row,” said Sen. Kraus. “Each senator takes an oath to follow and defend the constitutions of the United States and Missouri, and I take that oath seriously.”

The Locke and Smith Foundation, through the work of volunteers, rates every bill that reaches a third reading motion in the House or Senate. Bills are rated as either constitutional or unconstitutional.  Those ratings are then compared to the actual votes for every representative and senator.

“I’m always impressed by the amount of dedication displayed by the Locke and Smith Foundation and its volunteers,” said Sen. Kraus. “It is wonderful to have active and engaged citizens who care about how their state government operates.”

Senator Kraus is the second state senator from Eastern Jackson County to win the award.  Former 8th District Sen. Matt Bartle won the award in 2011.