Press "Enter" to skip to content

St. Louis mayor visits Capitol to tout local agenda

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Fresh off of sending his budget to the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay visited the Capitol last Wednesday for a series of meetings with lawmakers about advancing St. Louis area interests.

Left to right, House Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka, taks with St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay at the head of the chamber during session last Wednesday. (Submitted photo)
Left to right, House Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka, taks with St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay at the head of the chamber during session last Wednesday. (Submitted photo)

“It is always nice to be in the Capitol and get the chance to discuss issues that matter to St. Louis and our area with legislators,” Slay said.

Slay said he discussed a series of issues, including funding for a program to assist prisoners re-entering society that Rep. Penny Hubbard, D-St. Louis, is carrying, the armed offender docket legislation, and the land assemblage tax credits bill, among others.

“It was very nice to see the Mayor in the Capitol,” Rep. Vicki Englund, D-St. Louis County, said. “He is one of area’s most effective advocates and any time he has available to spend in Jefferson City helps the area as a whole.”

Slay met with several groups and individuals before spending some time in the House chamber with Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka.

“It is an honor and privilege to continue to stand with and work with a leader like Mayor Slay on the most important issues affecting our entire state: ensuring all of our children truly have access to a quality public education, giving job creators the tools they need to create more high paying, quality jobs and making government more accountable and transparent to all of our citizens,” Jones said.

After proposing a city a budget with a top priority on crime reduction, Slay said he was keenly interested in Senate Bill 448, sponsored by Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, which would allow the City of St. Louis Circuit Court to establish a special “Armed Offender Docket” for the prosecution of certain weapons offenses.

“This is the type of tool we need in St. Louis to assist us in ensuring St. Louis is a safe place to live, work, and visit,” Slay said.

Schmitt said he’s enjoyed working with Slay on all issues affecting St. Louis, especially SB448. He said his bill is particularly necessary for the city. The bill passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and is currently on the Senate’s informal calendar.

“I was glad to see that the Mayor make the time to be in Jefferson City Wednesday,” Rep. Robert Cornejo, R-St. Peters, said. “That is a great show of leadership and he is a very strong voice for the St. Louis area.”

To contact Scott Faughn, email scott@themissouritimes.com, or via Twitter at @scottfaughn.