My journey begins here!

I am a huge proponent of giving our students the means to further their education. I also feel that corporations are drawn to states with a more educated workforce. In Missouri, we have a fantastic program called the A+ program. What it does is allow a student, that meets the requirements, to go to a junior college for two years free. These requirements include having a 95% attendance record through grades 9-12, perform tutoring for younger students for 50 hours, and graduate with a 2.5 or higher gpa.  I would like to expand this already wonderful program to more trade schools and four year universities. Trade schools are a great option, for those that have no interest in college. With robotics taking over the manufacturing industries, it would be great if we had trade schools that offer students the ability to learn to operate, install, and program those robots. Automation and  autonomy are the  future in the United States.  For the four year university option, the requirements would

There have been many studies that show a reduction in opioid hospital related stays, and even deaths, in states that have legalized medical marijuana. Researchers from the University of California San Diego found hospitalization rates of people suffering from painkiller abuse and addiction dropped on average 23 percent in states that offered medical marijuana. Opioid overdose cases at hospitals in states with legalized marijuana also dropped by an average of 13 percent, after analyzing hospitalization records from 1997 to 2014 in 27 states, nine of which legalized medical marijuana within that timeframe. There is no doubt that medical marijuana is less addictive and much safer than traditional painkillers. Of course, there are many other health related benefits to the legalization of medical marijuana. Will people abuse the use of medical marijuana? Yes, of course people will abuse medical marijuana, but the side effects are fewer than other medications and much less addictive. 

My name is Travis Hagewood, I am a Autoworker/ Realtor in the Blue Springs, Missouri area. I would like to tell you what made me decide to run for Missouri State Representative in the 31st District (Blue Springs).  I have never been a super political person, and quite frankly never had much interest in politics. I was just a struggling member of the working middle-class. I felt like, with the electoral college, my vote didn't mean much anyway. You see in 2000, I voted for Al Gore for President of the United States. Of course he won the popular vote, but not the electoral. I felt defeated, and only voted in the Presidential elections.  Looking back I know that was a defeatist attitude, because every election mean a great deal to our nation, and out state and local elections are probably even more important truth be told. Our state and local officials have a great deal to do with our quality-of-life, and the civil liberties we experience.  Shortly after November of 2016,