Senator Kurtis Gregory

21st Senatorial District

For Immediate Release: 

Mar. 7, 2025

Capitol Building, Room 433

Jefferson City, MO 65101

Contact T.C. Farrar: 

 573-751-4302

Addressing Public Safety Concerns

I’m happy to speak with you again and discuss a bill currently working its way through the Senate - House Bill 495. This public safety bill is making it through the Senate, having already received its public hearing and been voted out of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee and is now being reviewed by Fiscal Oversight Committee. It has various provisions to help curb illegal immigration, allow for police assistance from neighboring states and prevent stunt driving, among other provisions. 

Another large provision of the bill is the change in control of the St. Louis police department. It would change it so a governor-appointed board and the mayor would be in charge of running the police force. I believe this change will help resolve some of the crime issues affecting the city and, in turn, the entire state. This is the same system currently being used in Kansas City. St. Louis is important to the state’s economics and is often the first impression visitors have of Missouri. I believe this bill is a key element to increasing the safety of Missouri citizens and making sure Missouri maintains a strong reputation.

Senate Bill 466 has officially passed the Senate and is now headed to the House. I’m proud to champion this important legislation that supports and strengthens Missouri’s agricultural industry. Looking forward to getting it across the finish line!

In other news, the State of Missouri has partnered with Wonderschool to provide everything an aspiring childcare business needs to launch, run and grow. Wonderschool offers a variety of useful services such as coaching on the licensing process, and tools to help run a more profitable business, all available for free. If you are interested in learning more you may sign up at wonderschool.com/corp/missouri. I believe this partnership will help solve the child care crisis in Missouri.

Please feel free to contact my office at 573-751-4302. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/KurtisGregory.

Left to right: Platte County Sheriff Eric Holland, Saline County Sheriff Daniel Kirchhoff, Senator Kurtis Gregory, Lafayette County Sheriff Aaron Dye, Ray County Sheriff Gary Blackwell.