State Legislators Shoot Down Bill for Local Control of St. Louis Police

The Missouri House today voted 63-86 to defeat defeat a bill that would have placed the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department under control of city hall.

As it stands now, the police department is controlled by a board of commissioners selected by the governor. Today the bill's sponsor, Jamilah Nasheed (D - St. Louis) issued a statement saying:

"The citizens of St. Louis are only seeking what most other Missouri residents already enjoy - a voice in running their local police department that is paid for with their local tax dollars."

Still, Nasheed saw a silver-lining in the fact that legislators at least considered the bill.

"After decades of being ignored, supporters of local control scored a major victory this year by bringing this issue to a vote on the House floor for the first time in history," said Nasheed.

"Although the vote wasn't successful this time, we have made significant progress that we will build on in the future. This issue will not die until St. Louis taxpayers have the power over their own affairs that they deserve. It may take a few more years, but local control will become a reality."