While serving more than ten years in the Missouri legislature, it continues to be an honor to serve my constituents in the 13th Senatorial District and across the state of Missouri. I would like to thank you all for allowing me to stand up for the issues that matter most to you and trusting me to be a strong advocate for our community. The 2018 legislative session is off to a very productive with several important bills and proposals already moving through the legislative process. A priority for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle is passing the state's 2019 operating budget. The appropriations process takes time and at the moment my colleagues and I are in process of reviewing funding requests from state departments in order to ensure we make the best funding decisions possible in order to meet the needs of all Missourians.

As the first half of the legislative session comes to end, my fellow lawmakers and I have had the privilege of debating and discussing issues surrounding various policy's that relate to reform. For example, we have had discussions surrounding Senate Bill 590, which modifies the existing Historic Preservation Tax Credit by lowering the cap to $70 million and creates two additional tax credits that help preserve the Capitol Complex and other public buildings. As lawmakers, we had to decide if the proposed reforms on the Historic Preservation Tax Credit would still provide the appropriate level of support to the cities and towns who utilize the credit. Currently, the cap sits at $140 million, making it one of the state's most expensive programs besides the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program. It is important we recognize the value this program brings to neighborhoods across the state helping to pay for upkeep to existing buildings and to build new infrastructures that are attractive to our residents and continue to promote economic growth. I look forward to continuing the discussion on this topic as the session continues.

So far, the Missouri Senate has passed Senate Bill 564 which changes the way utilities are regulated by the Missouri Public Service Commission and allows Ameren to modernize the grid infrastructure. I'm proud to report that there was fruitful debate on whether or not modernizing the grid would help Ameren serve Missourians more efficiently and would reduce the possibility of consumer rates fluctuating across the state. As a legislative body we determined that because the current system is outdated, rates will remain unpredictable for residents and business. Therefore long term, modernizing the state's utility infrastructure is worth it.

With tax season among us, ensuring that our personal information is secure has never been more important. In the midst of protecting ourselves, we must also consider the fact children are also susceptible to becoming victims of identity fraud. This session, I filed Senate Bill 582, which requires school districts to notify parents, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and State Auditor when their child's personal information has been compromised in a data breach. It is an honor to know that the Missouri State Auditor supports this effort to enhances the level of cyber security protections for our young children. This bill was voted out of the Education committee and will be further discussed and debated among the full Missouri Senate.

In late January, the governor unveiled his bold tax reform proposal for the upcoming fiscal year, which calls on the legislature to pass bills that cut taxes for business owners and put money back into the pockets of Missourians. But to me, it seems the governor is sending mixed messages about how to stimulate growth in Missouri's economy. In one instance, the governor's proposed budget asks for tax cuts for businesses, fully funds the education foundation formula for elementary and secondary education and increases funding for Missouri's roads and bridges, however, the governor also proposes $68 million in cuts to the state's colleges and universities.

Education is one of the state's primary economic drivers and I believe that any further cuts to our higher education institutions would place an imminent burden on the resources available to students who would like the opportunity to further their education. Not to mention a decrease in funding also means an increase in the number of students who are not ready to enter the workforce. We know that jobs create economic growth, but without a skilled workforce, Missouri's economic growth will remain stagnant. As the budget process continues, I encourage my colleagues to listen attentively to the departments' requests in order to fully understand how we can help meet the needs of our communities.

At this point, lawmakers in the Missouri Senate are listening to funding requests from numerous state departments. The Missouri House of Representatives' Budget Committee has begun the process of creating its version of the state's spending plan for 2019. Once the House approves its version of the budget, my colleagues and I in the Missouri Senate will begin reviewing and making changes to the budget before bringing it before the full Senate for discussion and debate. It is a slow process, but it really helps us to make the most fiscally responsible decisions possible to support the needs of our state agencies and constituents.

When the Legislature returns from spring break in Mid-March, we will begin finalizing the 13 appropriations bills that comprise the state's $28 billion budget. The House and Senate will then meet in conference to make final changes before sending the budget to the governor for his approval. State lawmakers have until Friday, May 11, to get the budget bills to the governor.

On Jan. 10, 2018 I had the honor of witnessing Sergeant Grant Rummerfield of Florissant, Missouri received approval from the Missouri Senate to serve on the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board.

It was truly an honor to see a resident of our community take on a role that protects and empowers Missouri's children. With over 20 years in law enforcement Sgt. Rummerfield has proven he has the qualities that makes him an exceptional candidate to advocate on behalf of Missouri's most vulnerable citizens.

Rummerfield's willingness to to stand up for those who are vulnerable and share his knowledge among other advocates demonstrates the level of integrity and compassion he shares for this cause.

Through his work in the field, he has gained valuable experience in child welfare, child abuse prevention strategies and community relationship building that will make him an asset to the board. I would like to say thank you Sgt. Rummerfield for your service to our state.

Throughout Missouri, hundreds of dedicated men and women are helping move our state forward through their service on one of the more than 200 public boards and commissions in Missouri. Whether it’s ensuring the proper licensure of health professionals, advocating for vulnerable children and seniors, or supporting a specific sector of the economy, these citizens are ensuring that the Show-Me State is a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Engaging talented and experienced individuals in public service is a key part of our strategy to continue Missouri’s economic turnaround and improve the quality of life for everyone in our state.

For more information on Missouri’s boards and commissions, please visit www.boards.mo.gov.

• Department of Revenue launches improved Tax Return Status Tracker

In Mid-February, the Department of Revenue announced that Missourians

can sign up via e-mail or text to receive alerts regarding the status of their state tax returns through the Missouri Return Inquiry System.

To enroll in alerts, customers only need three pieces of information: a Social Security number, filing status and anticipated refund or balance.

Information will be available within 48 hours of filing electronically or four weeks after mailing a

paper return. So far more than 14,000 taxpayers have signed up to receive alerts.

To access the Missouri Return Inquiry System and sign up for automatic alerts, please visit dor.mo.gov/returnstatus.

• Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri Department of Conservation

Team up to host the 2018 No MOre Trash! Bash

I encourage residents of the 13th Senatorial District to take part in the state’s 16th annual No MOre Trash! Bash, which will run April 15 through May 15.

Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and the Missouri Department of Conservation, this great event invites citizens from every corner of the state to help clean up litter from roadsides, parks, neighborhoods, rivers, streams, trails and other places. Trash Bash activities also include educational efforts in schools, community events and Earth Day celebrations.

MoDOT annually spends about $6 million to remove litter from more than 385,000 acres of roadsides along 34,000 state highway miles; annual volunteer efforts to pick up litter along Missouri highways are valued at $1 million.

During the 2017 Bash, Missourians collected about 50,400 bags of litter and several truckloads of debris during the month-long Trash Bash. Your volunteer efforts not only have a huge positive impact on our environment, but they also help reduce the cost of keeping our land and waterways clean.

In order to ensure a clean and prosperous earth for future generations, we must take action. I encourage Missourians to get involved in their local, sustainable neighborhood projects across the 13th Senatorial District.

Each year, we come together as a country and as a global community in celebration of Earth Day, which marks the anniversary of the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Earth Day was the brainchild of former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, who was moved to action after witnessing the environmental devastation brought about by the massive 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California.

I encourage everyone to get involved in local beautification projects such as planting trees, starting a community garden or even picking up litter around community parks and streams. And remember, beautifying the earth can be a family project. When schools recess for Spring Break its easy to create memorable yet rewarding service projects as a family. We can also promote sustainable lifestyles inside our homes by reducing waste and recycling renewable products. In 2017, 66 tons of renewable sources were diverted from landfills according to the St. Louis Earth Day, a local group who hosts events that promote sustainability. It is important to note that these efforts support statewide efforts led by the Missouri Department of Conservation and partnering organizations to uphold the U.S. Clean Air, Water and Endangered Species Acts. To get involved find a local, sustainable neighborhood initiative throughout St. Louis, click here to visit the St. Louis Earth Day website.

As we know, community gardens provide a source of local food within communities that help educate residents and encourage healthy lifestyles. Be sure to mark your calendars for the St. Louis Earth Day Festival which takes place on April 21-22 from 11-5 p.m. at Forest Park on the Muny Grounds.

Nationally, Arbor Day is observed on April 27, 2018, celebrating the role of trees in our lives while promoting tree planting and care. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri contains more than 14 million acres of forest land. These forests clean our air by removing carbon dioxide, dust and gases, provide outdoor recreation opportunities, wildlife habitat and employment for thousands of Missourians, and generally contribute to the overall beauty of our state. On this upcoming Arbor Day, I encourage you to become more knowledgeable about proper tree care and give back to the environment by planting a native tree.

STATUS OF SEN. WALSH'S 2018 LEGISLATION

Senator Walsh discusses legislation on the Senate Floor during the 2018 session.

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes occurring across the country. In 2016, data from the Federal trade Commission revealed that Missouri ranked 8th in the nation for the number of identity theft complaints per 100,000 individuals. It is time we we take additional steps to enhance protections against identity theft for our residents, but especially our children. Our children are more susceptible to become victims of identity fraud because it can take years to uncover the damage.

This session, enhancing cyber security protections for students across the state is my top priority because parents have a right to be informed if their child is put at risk for fraud or identity theft when a data breach has occurred at their school.

Senate Bill 582 requires a school district to notify a student's parents or legal guardians in the event of an electronic security breach involving the student's personal information. In addition to notifying the parents, school officials must also notify the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the state auditor.

Currently, only some school districts have written policy regarding parental notification in the event of a data breach. This is the second year in a row, I have filed legislation that proposes a solution to this issue.

At the end of January, the proposed bill passed out of the Missouri Senate's Education Committee with outstanding support from the state auditor's office, school administrators and educations advocates.

Keeping students safe is my top priority. In this day and age, this means keeping their personal information safe too.

I look forward to working across the aisle to get this bill passed so we can protect Missouri families and our children from data breaches.

If you believe you or a loved one has been a victim of identity theft, contact the Missouri's Identity Theft Hotline at 800-392-8222 or file a complaint at the Missouri Attorney General's Office.