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~ St. Louis, MO - In a move to provide equal opportunities for all residents, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones signed BB 137 into law today, establishing the Municipal Identification Card Program, also known as the Gateway Card. This program will offer free government-issued photo identification to all St. Louisans.

During the signing ceremony, Mayor Jones expressed her excitement about the potential impact of the Gateway Card. "The Gateway Card will make life easier for families and seniors to take advantage of things like libraries, rec centers, and senior centers, or get access to health care and support programs," she said. "To put it simply, the Gateway Card has the opportunity to help St. Louisans in many ways, big and small."

According to recent statistics, millions of Americans and thousands of St. Louisans do not have a government-issued photo ID. This can create barriers when trying to obtain housing or employment and can also make it difficult to do business with the city or open a bank account. BB 137 was sponsored by 6th Ward Alderwoman Daniela Velázquez and passed unanimously by the Board of Aldermen in an effort to address these challenges.

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"The Gateway Card will help the people who need it most to be able to fully participate in our community," said Alderwoman Velázquez. "This new program was a collaborative effort with advocates from its inception to today and symbolizes how we're making sure St. Louis continues to be a welcoming city for all."

The office of Treasurer Adam Layne will oversee the administration of the Gateway Card program and has 180 days to develop it before cards become available this summer.

"Treasurer Layne's office remains committed to providing solutions that meet the evolving needs of the St. Louis community," said Treasurer Layne in a statement. "Ensuring accessibility and upward mobility for all St. Louis residents is of utmost importance."

To obtain a Gateway Card, residents will need to provide proof of identity and residency in the City of St. Louis. A variety of documents can be used for this purpose, including a birth certificate, social security card, or written verification from domestic violence shelters or City-funded homeless shelters.

The City of St. Louis joins dozens of other cities across the country that have implemented municipal ID programs, including New York City, Little Rock, and Kansas City. This initiative is a step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable community for all St. Louisans.

Filed Under: Government, City

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