Senator Brian Williams’ Legislative Column for Feb. 14, 2025

Legislation Advances

The month of February has been productive on many fronts at the State Capitol. The Senate has sent 10 proposals to the Missouri House of Representatives for consideration and debated several more. Committees continued to conduct hearings and “do pass” legislation, and a few of my bills advanced through the legislative process. 

I’ll begin with an update on my sponsored bills. On Feb. 11, I presented Senate Bill 20 to my fellow members on the Senate Progress and Development Committee. Similar in scope to a bill I filed last session, SB 20 is a two-fold solution to help address the early childhood education crisis. First, it will provide a streamlined approach for counties to establish and administer an Early Childhood Education (ECE) Fund. Secondly, the bill ensures that funds collected for ECE will be designated for this purpose only and utilized to improve affordability and accessibility to ECE programs. It’s no secret that the lack of childcare facilities and quality providers is devastating for young families who are trying to balance work and home life. As a new dad, I have witnessed first-hand the connection between quality care and positive brain development, and I feel a designated fund will help ensure more families have options for their preschool children. 

                                                                                                                                                                         Senator Williams presents SB 20 on Feb. 11.

Several more of my proposals were second read and referred to committees, and I look forward to explaining their merits to my colleagues in the near future. These include a measure to convene a “Humanity Education Curriculum Framework Work Group” to develop a pilot program for teachers to educate students on the dehumanizing practices inflicted upon marginalized populations throughout Missouri history. Maya Angelou’s quote, “Then when you know better, do better,” was the driving force behind this legislation and the bill I passed in 2022 to establish Holocaust Education Week. We will never progress as a society or state until we fully comprehended and come to terms with the mistakes of our past. Educating children is a great step forward. My other referred bills are Senate Bill 113, which designates a grant program to enhance cybersecurity, and Senate Joint Resolution 4, which modifies collective bargaining rights.

Advocates Turn the Capitol Purple on Memory Day

On Feb. 11, I had the pleasure of addressing a passionate group of advocates from the Greater Missouri Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. They gathered in the Rotunda to hear from experts and allies before heading to legislators’ offices. Alzheimer’s is a disease that impacts us all, so please visit their website to learn more about memory care and coping with dementia. I am so proud to serve on this group’s advisory board and fully support their mission.

Welcome to the Dome!

Negotiating legislation with my colleagues is gratifying, but nothing recharges my senatorial battery quite like meeting with folks from The Lou who travel to Jefferson City to advocate and visit lawmakers. 

                                                                                                        Senator Williams introduces Dr. Angela Haywood-Gaskin and John Gaskin II on the Senate floor.

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.