Senator Brian Williams’ Legislative Column for January, 31, 2025

What an incredible week this has been in the Missouri Senate. On Jan. 28, the governor delivered the annual State of the State Address, and I chaired the Senate Progress and Development Committee’s first public hearing. On Wednesday, I presented my Clean Slate bill to members of the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.

Four Pillars of Governor’s Plan

Each year, the governor delivers the traditional State of the State Address to a joint assembly in the chamber of the Missouri House of Representatives, laying out his priorities for the year. I was relieved to hear him state the importance of working together and echo a belief I’ve held forever, “Missourians are more alike than we are different.” This year’s focus will be framed by four pillars: public safety, economic development, agriculture and education. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I pay close attention to the budget requests the governor highlights during this speech, which become the groundwork for the state operating budget we negotiate and balance for Fiscal Year 2026. Changes to how we fund and calculate the foundation formula for public schools will be one of the items this committee tackles.

Breaking down Barriers

The Senate Progress and Development Committee took testimony on an array of legislation Wednesday. The C.R.O.W.N. Act will prohibit hair-based discrimination in K-12 schools to enable children to be treated with respect and wear their hair the way God intended. Similar legislation has been filed since 2020, so I’m hopeful my committee will usher this bill through quickly to help break down barriers and build confidence for children within the African diaspora. Another, Senate Bill 110, will designate Kappa Alpha Psi Week in January to honor my beloved, barrier-breaking brotherhood who founded the fraternity in Indiana University on Jan. 5, 1911, and contributed to the well-being of our country with invaluable philanthropic efforts.

Second Chances

Families entangled in the criminal justice system are all too familiar with the second sentence a person serves after they leave prison as a result of their criminal record. Even though an offender has done time and paid their debt to society for their past mistakes, he or she is still shackled by limited access to job opportunities, safe and affordable housing, public benefits and other vital resources. My Senate Bill 19 permits eligible offenses to be automatically expunged and sets perimeters to expedite the process. Those who qualify for a clean slate will be treated as though they’ve never committed a crime and avoid having their expunged crime affect their credit rating, job search or ability to rent a home. Less than 1% of eligible records are expunged because the current process is too hard to access, time consuming and expensive. My legislation will give people a second chance at life, help them become productive members of our communities and provide for their families. As I explained during the hearing on Jan. 29, SB 19 is an economic development bill that will benefit our entire state. It will reduce the costs to the state associated with recidivism, help provide workers for small businesses and lessen the generational toll criminal records have on Missouri families.

                                                                                                                          Senator Williams presents SB 19 to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 30.

Speak Now! 

For the fourth consecutive year, legislators who live outside the City of St. Louis have filed bills to place control of the St. Louis Police Department back in the hands of a governor appointed commission. Kansas City is the only state-controlled police department in the nation, and, in my opinion, its high crime and murder rates are pretty telling of the ineffectiveness of leadership from afar. Ironically, many of those who testified in support of the legislation do not live in the metro area and would not be impacted by the change in governance. Senate Bill 52 was passed by the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee on Jan. 27, deeming it eligible for discussion on the Senate floor. If you believe the old adage, “Nothing about us without us,” and are adamant about protecting the local control voters granted our neighbors in the city in 2012, please speak now and contact your legislators.

It is an honor representing each of you in the Missouri Senate. If you have any ideas to improve our district or questions about legislation, please contact my office at 573-751-4106 or visit my Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Williams.