Missouri House Bill HCR20

Missouri 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/1/23
• Refer: 5/12/23

Caption

Requests residents of the city and county of St. Louis to petition their leaders to appoint a board under the Missouri Constitution to change the governmental structure

Impact

The resolution seeks to empower the residents of St. Louis City and St. Louis County by providing a mechanism for them to propose governmental changes through a appointed constitutional board. This aligns with Article VI, Sections 30(a) and 30(b) of the Missouri Constitution, which allows the citizenry to influence government structure. Such changes could potentially lead to better governance and a more streamlined approach to addressing the needs of the communities, likely improving service delivery and resource allocation.

Summary

HCR20 requests the residents of St. Louis City and St. Louis County to petition their leaders for the appointment of a constitutional board under the Missouri Constitution. The objective of this board is to explore potential changes to the governmental structure that has existed since the separation of the city and county in 1876. The resolution emphasizes the need for collaboration and cooperation between local leaders, suggesting that the current separation is inefficient for both parties involved and hinders progress.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HCR20 appears to be largely supportive among advocates who see it as a step toward greater governmental efficiency and community empowerment. However, potential points of contention may arise regarding the formation of the board and how much influence it would genuinely have over substantial changes. Discussions may also focus on whether the proposed changes would serve to strengthen or dilute the autonomy of the local governance structures currently in place.

Contention

There may be notable contention in the debate about how the appointment process for the constitutional board would work and who would have the final say on recommendations made by the board. While the resolution allows for public input, there could be skepticism regarding the transparency and inclusivity of the process. Furthermore, the implications of altering the relationship between the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County could lead to opposition from those who view the current structure as serving their interests effectively.