July 18, 2023

Hello Jackson County – thank you for reading my column. I hope everyone is enjoying the summer and staying safe in this ongoing heat and drought.

Now that the governor has taken action on the Fiscal Year ’24 operating budget and legislation passed by the General Assembly, I’ll give you a brief synopsis of the spending plan now in place and the new laws that will take effect on Aug. 28.

First and foremost, I’m thankful the governor inked Senate Bills 45 & 90 to extend MO HealthNet coverage to postpartum women to one year. This will help decrease Missouri’s high maternal mortality rates that are disproportionately seen among Black mothers. This new law also bans medical providers from performing pelvic or anal exams on anesthetized patients and establishes a transitional benefits system for TANF, SNAP and the Child Care Subsidy Program to steer recipients from dependency toward self-sufficiency.

Another policy I was pleased to see signed builds on a bill I passed last year. House Bill 447  strengthens student athletes’ ability to market their name, image and likeness and enter into contracts with marketing associates. The law authorizes a fifth adult high school to be located in Kansas City as well. Our community also stands to benefit from Senate Bill 94, which will promote motion picture production, attract live entertainment tours to rehearse and perform in Missouri, and create entertainment industry jobs.

I am highly disappointed the governor vetoed Senate Bill 189, which includes my “Raise the Age” legislation. I started filing this bill when I was in the Missouri House of Representatives to change the minimum age from 12 to 14 for certification of juveniles for trial as adults. Children do not comprehend the long-term consequences of their behavior, which is often times the direct result of abuse or neglect, and they certainly cannot rehabilitate in an adult prison. Additionally, I strongly supported the provision that would have compensated a wrongfully convicted person with restitution payments for time served, regardless of whether the individual was exonerated by DNA or other evidence. I appreciate the advocacy, stories and resources you provided to get this legislation to the governor’s desk and will continue my fight next session.

The other policies I will continue to oppose if filed next year are unwarranted initiative petition “reform” bills and attempts to ban the teaching of factual history and the root causes of systemic racism.

Aside from crafting and passing policies, the Legislature is constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget for the coming year. The FY ’24 operating budget signed on June 30 fully funds the Foundation Formula and school transportation costs for K-12 public schools, widens Interstate 70 from Blue Springs to Wentzville, subsidizes childcare and increases access to mental health services. I am thrilled our community has been allotted $300 million to construct a new mental health hospital, $250,000 for urban agricultural development and another $250,000 to establish a youth agricultural entrepreneurship program, but I’m disappointed that funding to revitalize the historic 18th and Vine District was vetoed.

Now that the budget has been approved and legislation has been signed, I welcome the opportunity to spend time in our community learning more about the issues that matter to you. On July 29, I’m co-hosting the 10th Annual Minority Mental Health Awareness Event at Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley. Please plan to attend “Brunch with Bebe’s Sisters” at 9:30 a.m. for a panel discussion on maternal health and a special presentation by a Congressional mental health champion. Contact my office for more information.

Senator Washington’s Sponsored Legislation for 2023

It is an honor representing the great people of Kansas City’s 9th Senatorial District. If you need assistance navigating state government or understanding the legislative process, please contact me by calling 573-751-3158 or emailing Barbara.Washington@senate.mo.gov. My team is here for you!