Sen. Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, speaks on the floor of the Missouri Senate.

Despite serving more than ten years in the Missouri General Assembly, it continues to be an honor to serve the residents of the 13th Senatorial District and others across the state of Missouri. I would like to thank you all for allowing me to stand up for the issues that matter most to you and trusting me to be a strong advocate for our community.

The 2019 legislative session is off to a very productive start, with several important bills and proposals already moving through the legislative process. Every year, one of the main priorities for lawmakers, on both sides of the aisle, is passing the state's operating budget. The appropriations process takes time and, at the moment, my colleagues and I are in the process of reviewing funding requests from each state department. This process ensures that we make the best funding decisions possible in order to meet the needs of all Missourians.

My legislative priorities this session are enhancing protections for elementary school children against exposure to lead, as well as standing up for local control for the residents of the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County.

Senate Bill 245 is a proposal that requires each elementary school district to test each source of portable water in a public school building, constructed before 1966, for lead. The proposal specifies that if the test sample exceeds five parts per billion, the school district must notify the parents or guardians of the students. In addition, the proposal requires all tests to be completed by Dec. 31, 2020. School districts can waive the option of being retested if the district can submit prior test results to the Department of Health and Senior Services by Dec. 31, 2019.

To ensure that our young children have not been exposed to lead contamination, recently one Missouri school district were able to test 23 buildings within the district for a maximum cost of $30,000.”

My bill would impact 954 elementary schools across the state at an average cost of $14 per test. State officials estimated that the tests would cost about $1.3 million, which would be spread over the next two years. I believe that this is a small price to pay to ensure the well-being of our children. When we consider the amount of time that children spend inside of their school, these lead tests will only help increase the accuracy of any potential health risks our children may be exposed to.

I have also introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 1, which urges the members of the Missouri General Assembly to oppose any statewide vote or legislative mandate on governmental reorganization regarding St. Louis City and County. 

I filed this resolution in response to a St. Louis based initiative petition called Better Together that calls for a statewide vote to amend the Missouri Constitution in order to consolidate the Metropolitan City and its municipal districts. This issue dates back to 1962, when the voters of Missouri overwhelmingly rejected, by a vote of 74 percent to 26 percent, a constitutional amendment to merge the governments of St. Louis City and St. Louis County.

In my opinion, voters of St. Louis County, which is the largest county in the state of Missouri with nearly one million residents, and the voters of the City of St. Louis, which is our second-largest city in the state of Missouri with over 315,000 residents, should have the deciding vote in all proposals relating to St. Louis regional governance.

If voters at the local level determine they want to have a change in local government, they should have the right to do that. I believe that right should not be taken away by state legislators who can potentially be swayed by wealthy special interests.

Since the Better Together petition began circulating, the St. Louis County Council and 57 of the 89 municipalities in St. Louis County have passed resolutions opposing a statewide vote on a constitutional amendment to change the structure of St. Louis City and County government.

My role as the senator serving the 13th Senatorial District is to ensure that the voices of my constituents are well represented and to make sure that the laws passed by the Legislature are fair and equitable for all. I serve my constituents in order to ensure that state government remains accessible to the people it serves, and I believe any attempt to weaken local control is a step in the wrong direction.

Government is best when it is closest to the people.

In late January, the governor unveiled his budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year, which calls on the Legislature to pass bills that enhance workforce development initiatives and improve transportation infrastructure across the state. As lawmakers serving on the Senate Appropriations Committee are listening to funding requests from numerous state departments and organizations. This testimony will help us make the most fiscally responsible decisions possible to support the needs of taxpayers served by state agencies. I support any legislative proposal that will help create a more fair and equitable state for all Missourians. Once the Missouri House of Representatives reviews and approves its version of the budget, the Missouri Senate will begin reviewing and making changes to the budget.

Here is a snapshot of funding levels for Fiscal Year 2019 and the governor’s projected estimates for the Fiscal Year 2020:

Elementary and Secondary Education:

This year, the governor’s budget proposal increases funding levels for North St. Louis County Schools. By funding the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education at this level, we are meeting the State Adequacy Target. For schools in North St. Louis County, this means:

• In FY 2019, the Hazelwood School District received $59,653,260. This year, the governor recommends $65,396,965 in the upcoming state budget, an increase of $5,743,705.
• In FY 2019, Ferguson-Florissant R-II School District received $36,938,488. This year, the governor recommends $39,038,102 in the upcoming state budget, an increase of $2,099,614.
• In FY 2019, Jennings School District received $15,315,857. This year, the governor recommends $15,707,880 in the upcoming state budget, an increase of $391,693.
• In FY 2019, Riverview Gardens School District received $32,859,344. This year, the governor recommends $34,899,110 in the upcoming state budget, an increase of $2,039,766.

Higher Education:

In our community, St. Louis Community College received $44,004,261 during fiscal year 2019. The governor’s recommendation matches last year’s allocation with no increase.  

Mental Health Services:

To provide a safe community for individuals living with developmental disabilities the Bellefontaine Habilitation Center is projected to receive $17,409,083, an increase of $421,918 over what they received in FY 2019 to support increased medical care costs. The Bellefontaine Habilitation Center provides a home setting with individualized plans for residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities that will provide them with a safe environment, ensure their personal needs are met and offer the most abundant life possible.

Public Safety:

Our veterans have sacrificed and served our country, and I believe it is important for them to have access to the resources necessary to provide for their families. In FY 2019, the St. Louis Veterans Home received $15,653,146. This year, the governor recommends $15,774,677, an increase of $121,531 over what they received in FY 2019.

Sen. Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors and Adam Childers-Arnold.

Originally from Indiana, Adam Childers-Arnold is a junior, majoring in political science with a minor in

public administration at Truman State University. Adam is currently serving as an intern in my office, and he is working with members of my legislative team.

In Adam's role as a legislative intern, he is assisting the Minority Caucus with conducting research, tracking bills, resolving constituent issues and composing legislative briefs.

Prior to Adam's internship in the Missouri State Capitol, he demonstrated a keen interest in serving others. As a freshman at Truman State University, he served as the president for the College Democrats of Truman State as well as the legislative director for the College Democrats of Truman State. Later he served as the secretary, treasurer and vice president of the Political Science Student Association and as a member of the Student Affairs Committee on the Student Government Senate at the university.

Adam said the most valuable thing he has learned as an intern is an appreciation for public service at every level of government, whether that be the elected officials or the staff members that keep the building running. He believes that working in the Legislature provides a perspective on democracy and government that can truly only be grasped within the halls, and it has influenced his outlook on politics.

After Adam completes his undergraduate studies, he plans to obtain a dual law degree and a Master in public affairs with hopes to begin a career in state affairs.

Adam's dedication and hard work will truly help him in his future endeavors. Each legislative session, it is an honor to watch Missouri's young leaders grow to become more engaged in the political process.

On March 11, 2019, Dallas Brown of Moline Elementary School, and his family were honored as part of the Missouri Senate’s 2019 Youth Art Month awards ceremony. From left to right: Sen. Gina Walsh, Eileen Brown (grandmother), Dallas Brown, Angelina Brown (mother), Tracy Jones (aunt) and Anthony Jones (uncle).

On March 11, 2019, Dallas Brown of Moline Elementary School was recognized for his artistic talent in the Missouri Senate’s annual Youth Art Month awards ceremony.

Dallas’ work is featured in the Senate Art Exhibit and will hang in the hallway of the passageway of the Missouri Senate for the remainder of the year.

It was an honor to meet Dallas and his family. I truly believe the support and love a family provides plays an important role in the ongoing development and growth of our children. For many of our youth, art is just one form of expression that helps bring meaning to the way they connect with the world.

Every year, I look forward to meeting these young people and showing them how their hard work paid off. I hope this experience encourages Dallas to keep moving forward with his dreams.

Department of Revenue Gears Up for REAL ID

Beginning March 25, 2019, Missourians can apply for a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or nondriver ID card. The REAL ID Act of 2005 requires all U.S. citizens to present a compliant license or ID Card when flying domestically, accessing federal facilities, military bases, federal courts and entering nuclear plants. Under Missouri law, applying for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card is a choice, but all Missouri residents who plan on travelling domestically or accessing one of the five designated locations will be required to present an acceptable form of identification, beginning Oct. 1, 2020.

For Missourians looking to renew their licenses in the upcoming weeks, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri Department of Conservation Team Up to Host the 2019 No MOre Trash! Bash

I encourage residents of the 13th Senatorial District to take part in the state’s 17th annual No MOre Trash! Bash, which will run April 15 through May 15.

Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and the Missouri Department of Conservation, this great event invites citizens from every corner of the state to help clean up litter from roadsides, parks, neighborhoods, rivers, streams, trails and other places. Trash Bash activities also include educational efforts in schools, community events and Earth Day celebrations.

In 2018, MoDOT spent $6.4 million to remove litter from more than 385,000 acres of roadsides along 34,000 state highway miles. Annual volunteer efforts to pick up litter, including the Trash Bash and Adopt-A-Highway program, are valued at $1 million.

During the 2018 Trash Bash, Missourians collected about 65,185 bags of litter and several truckloads of debris during the month-long event. Your volunteer efforts not only have a positive impact on our environment, but they also help reduce the cost of keeping our land and waterways clean.

In order to ensure a clean and prosperous earth for future generations, we must take action. I encourage each of you to get involved in local, sustainable neighborhood projects across the 13th Senatorial District.

Each year, we come together as a country and as a global community in celebration of Earth Day, which marks the anniversary of the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Earth Day was the brainchild of former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, who was moved to action after witnessing the environmental devastation brought about by the massive 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California.

I encourage everyone to get involved in local beautification projects, such as planting trees, starting a community garden or even picking up litter around community parks and streams. And remember, beautifying the earth can be a family project. When schools recess for Spring Break, its easy to create memorable, yet rewarding service projects as a family. We can also promote sustainable lifestyles inside our homes by reducing waste and recycling renewable products. In 2018, the Total Organics Recycling Program diverted 35 tons of organic food waste from landfills. It is important to note that these events support statewide efforts led by the Missouri Department of Conservation and partnering organizations to uphold the U.S. Clean Air, Water and Endangered Species Acts.

As we know, community gardens provide a source of local food within communities that help educate residents and encourage healthy lifestyles. Be sure to mark your calendars for the St. Louis Earth Day Festival, which takes place from 11a.m.-5 p.m. on April 27-28, at Forest Park on the Muny Grounds.

Nationally, Arbor Day is observed on April 26, 2019, celebrating the role of trees in our lives while promoting tree planting and care. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri contains more than 14 million acres of forest land. These forests clean our air by removing carbon dioxide, dust and gases; provide outdoor recreation opportunities; wildlife habitat; and employment for thousands of Missourians, and generally contribute to the overall beauty of our state. On this upcoming Arbor Day, I encourage you to become more knowledgeable about proper tree care and give back to the environment by planting a native tree.

STATUS OF SEN. WALSH'S 2019 LEGISLATION