Dear

Governor,


My name is Rasheen Aldridge and I am the new Representative Elect for the 78th District. We
haven’t met but I have heard from my predecessor Rep Bruce Franks Jr that you are a good
man who truly cares about the wellbeing of our entire state no matter the zip code. I had been
looking forward to working with you as I had been told that you were passionate about finding
solutions to reduce crime and gun violence in our cities and rural areas alike. So, it was with
great disappointment that yesterday I read that you had dismissed the idea of a Special Session
to reduce violence in communities like mine.

You stated “Special Session is not the correct avenue. If we are to change violent criminal acts
in Missouri, it will take all of us at the federal, state, local, and community levels working
together toward a common goal. I agree with you that it will take all of these entities to solve
this issue but why would anyone at a federal level take that seriously if we are not willing to
treat it as the emergency that this is? You’ve had a long career in the legislature, and I know
you are not a stranger to the difficulty in getting bills heard if the Speaker or Committee Chair
has no desire to push forth that legislation. For this reason, a special session is necessary as this
issue cannot continue to be buried under hundreds of bills that seem to take precedent with
the current make up of our body such as naming highways and official Missouri bourbon
standards.

I watched you personally proceed over the dais when Representative Franks HCR 70 naming
youth violence a public health epidemic passed the Senate. I watched you sign that bill and talk
of the importance in recognizing this problem. I was proud to see that bi partisan passion in
tackling something that is killing so many in our state. So, let’s get to work and put some teeth
to it. A special session is the only way for our political body to sit down and be forced to reckon
with this public health epidemic without political distraction, without political personal
grievance, without political vote trading, without political indifference. My community cannot
afford to lose anymore children. Our state cannot afford to be plagued with violence for our
human health’s sake, and quite honestly for our economic health’s sake. I have to live in fear
that I may not make it to my swearing in and my constituents fear their babies not coming
home. We must act now. I beg you.

Sincerely,
Representative Elect 78th District
Rasheen Aldridge