- Week of March 24, 2023

Happy spring, everyone! I appreciate your interest in my legislation and the happenings at the Statehouse. This week was similar to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, a mixed bag of major disappointments, close calls and small victories.

First of all, I want to congratulate Coach Gates and the Mizzou men’s basketball team for qualifying for the tournament and winning the first round. While we were all disappointed by their loss to Princeton, I foresee a bright future for our Tigers under their new head coach. M-I-Z!

The other disappointment will have a devastating impact on the already vulnerable LGBTQ+ community in my opinion. Senate Bill 39, the so-called “Save Women’s Sports Act,” and Senate Bill 49, the “Save Adolescents from Experimentation Act,” passed the Senate this week. The minority party stood with science and professional medical associations, vehemently opposing both pieces of legislation and spending days trying to amend the language and delay the vote. Both heralded as the top priorities of the majority party, I do not believe these bills do anything to help people or advance our state. In fact, I think they will ultimately cause more harm to transgender children. We’ll see what happens in the House.

The close calls occurred in the Senate Chamber during the perfection of multiple bills. We debated but didn’t finalize measures to eliminate property tax assessment increases for seniors, exempt diapers and feminine hygiene products from sales tax and modify the eligibility requirements for parole. These bills have been placed on the informal calendar and may be brought back up for discussion.

Two of my bills inched toward victory this week through committee hearings. On March 22, I presented Senate Bills 424 and 440 to the Progress and Development Committee. The first proposal, nationally referred to as the “Crown Act,” prohibits discrimination in K-12 public schools based on hairstyles and texture. Our country has unfortunately developed an inherent bias that projects African American hair as unruly, undesirable and unprofessional. In their efforts to conform to this misguided sentiment, women of the African diaspora are now experiencing physical ailments resulting from prolonged chemical treatments to alter their coils. I just want Black kids to embrace their heritage and be able to go to school without being bullied, shamed or treated differently for the way they were born.

My other proposal, SB 440, establishes the “Cronkite New Voices Act” to protect the freedom of press in high school-sponsored media and reduce censorship. I attribute my professional accomplishments to the valuable skills I learned while working on my high school’s newspaper and want to prepare our future journalists for success. This act aligns our high schools’ media guidelines with national standards.

I’ll close by highlighting two success stories from our community. On March 22, I was honored to present a resolution to Basimise Fabrice, a student at East High School whose artwork was selected to represent the 9th Senatorial District in the 2023 Senate Student Arts Exhibit. On March 23, I proudly introduced Tammy Buckner to my colleagues on the floor, the founder of WeCode KC and recipient of a Lieutenant Governor’s Women of Achievement Award. Thanks for making your senator proud!

Senator Washington presents a resolution to Basimise Fabrice.

Tammy Buckner is introduced on the Senate floor.

Literacy in Kansas City Discussion Has Been Postponed

Due to a family emergency, tomorrow’s Literacy in Kansas City discussion has been postponed. I’ll send more information when it has been rescheduled.

Below is a list of the bills I have sponsored in 2023. If you have questions or need additional information or assistance, please reach out.

                                     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!