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The House gave initial approval to 'home rule' for St. Louis City

March 28, 2001
By: Renny MacKay
State Capital Bureau

Discussion in the Missouri House heated up as St. Louis City Representatives debated the "home rule" and who should control the city of St. Louis.

Renny MacKay has more on the story from the state capitol.

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St. Louis City is the only part of the state that the state government controls the city level of government.

St. Louis City represenative Derio Gambaro is the sponsor of a resolution to give that control to the city.

On the House Floor he and Louis Ford, also from St. Louis City disagreed about who this resolution will benefit.

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Contents: Ford asks Gambaro if he has talked to many different people about the resolution or just those he wants to. Gambaro replied it is for all citizens of St. Louis.

The House did end up giving the resolution first round approval and if it passes both the House and Senate it will end up on the ballot in November of 2002.

From the state capitol, I'm Renny MacKay.

Giving more control to the people of St. Louis City, that's what a state Representative said a Joint Resolution will do.

Renny MacKay has more details on the resolution from the state capitol.

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This resolution would allow Missourians to vote in November of 2002 about whether St. Louis City should gain the same rights as a county. This would mean the state no longer controls the city level of government.

Representative Derio Gambaro from the city sponsored the resolution, he says it would "stream line" city offices but wouldn't cost anyone a job.

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Contents: He says no one would lose their jobs, the resolution states that anyone whose position is elimated must be given another job within the city.

The most vocal opponents to the bill are all black representatives from St. Louis City. Despite this opposition the resolution got first round approval from the House.

From Jefferson City, I'm Renny MacKay.

A proposed piece resolution moving through the Missouri capitol would put St. Louis City on par with the rest of the state, according to its supporters.

Renny MacKay has more on this piece of legislation from Jefferson City.

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The Senate has already perfected the joint resolution and now the House has done the same. The resolution would give St. Louis City, county status, meaning the state would no longer control the county level of government in the city area.

House Minority Leader Catherine Hanaway, from St. Louis County said on the floor of the House this is the right thing to do.

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Contents: She says this gives St. Louisians the same rights as all other people in the state.

Opponents of the resolution say this resoltion won't allow the city to control its police department, school district or circuit court so it's not yet equal with the rest of the state.

In Jefferson City, I'm Renny MacKay.