congratulations st. Louis! Prop r passed on april 5 with nearly 70% of the vote.
Proposition R for Reform on the April 5 City of St. Louis ballot will prohibit alderpersons from taking official actions where they have a personal, financial, or political conflict of interest related to the legislation being considered. Learn more below.
Vote #YESonR this Tuesday, April 5 for more accountability and transparency at the City of St. Louis Board of Aldermen.
— Reform St. Louis (@ReformSTL) April 3, 2022
Learn more >> https://t.co/f5BpPsoB6F pic.twitter.com/PtONOgi1Jr
THE PROBLEM:
St. Louisans need a government that can move the City forward at this important crossroad.
Unfortunately, laws in the City of St. Louis allow alderpersons to engage in conflicts of interest that are illegal in other cities. This allows political games to get in the way of serving our city.
POOR ACCOUNTABILITY
The St. Louis City Board of Aldermen is able to draw their own ward lines. This practice has allowed Alderpersons to choose their own voters, exclude their opponents, and ensure their own re-election. They are also allowed to overturn the will of the people on voting laws.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Unlike in other cities, alderpersons in St. Louis are not prohibited from decisions where their own personal financial interest differs from the public’s interest.
lack of transparency
When Alderpersons declare conflicts of interest, these declarations aren’t accessible to the public. So, people don’t know when their alderperson has a conflict and therefore can’t hold them accountable for their actions.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
THE SOLUTION: Proposition R for Reform
Ban conflicts of interest
Prohibit alderpersons from taking official actions where they have a personal or financial conflict of interest related to the legislation being considered.
Ensure the public knows if an alderperson has a conflict of interest by requiring disclosure statements to be posted on the city website.
Require alderpersons to wait at least one year before becoming lobbyists influencing city policy, bringing St. Louis in line with other leading cities around the country.
This section was written by the best attorneys in Missouri with guidance from national experts at the Campaign Legal Center and final decisions made by local volunteers.
Independent Citizens Commission
Give the power to draw ward boundary maps to an independent citizens commission composed of diverse, qualified city voters that must hold public hearings and keep neighborhoods together.
Prohibit lobbyists, aldermen, and others with conflicts of interest from serving on the commission.
An oversight committee (including retired judges) selects the first four commission members randomly from a pool of interested city voters, requiring at least one applicant from each ward. The first four members then select the remaining five members from the applicant pool to balance racial, geographic, gender, and other diversity requirements.
This policy is NOT about the number of wards—only how they’re drawn.
This section was reviewed and edited by the best attorneys in Missouri with guidance from national experts at the Brennan Center for Justice and final decisions made by local volunteers.
More accountability
Prohibit the Board of Aldermen from overturning the will of the people.
Require a public vote on changes to the way we vote for municipal offices (mayor, comptroller, president of the Board of Aldermen, and alderman).
For example, if the Board of Aldermen wanted to repeal the City’s new approval voting system that passed with 68% support, that would need to go to a public vote.
Proposition R is endorsed by:
League of Women Voters of Metro St. Louis
St. Louis Association of Community Organizations
Forward Through Ferguson
Women's Voices Raised for Social Justice
Show Me Integrity
Missouri Faith Voices
Missouri Healthcare for All
St. Louis Young Democrats
RepresentUs
Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis
MaTovu
Reverend Darryl Gray
Yinka Faleti
Alderwoman Christine Ingrassia
Alderman Bill Stephens
Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer
Alderwoman Annie Rice
Alderwoman Megan Ellyia Green
Denise Lieberman, Voting Rights Attorney
Rabbi Susan Talve
J.P. Johnson
Gena Gunn McClendon, Voter Rights Advocate
Former State Representative Jeanette Mott Oxford
Former Alderman and CBTU President Jay Ozier
CITIZEN ENDORSeMENTS
“A healthy democracy depends on informed and active citizens—but it also depends on policies that establish ethical ground rules and accountability regarding them. We have seen past abuses, and Proposition R addresses these and establish a baseline for going forward.“ - Former State Representative Jeanette Mott Oxford
“I support Proposition R for an equitable St. Louis.” - Kristen
“Creating a system that makes it easier for elected to put the people first speaks to me.” - Chris
“Transparency in government is critical!” - Amy
“St. Louis deserves politicians who are accountable to the people, not special interests!” - Jordan
"Transparency and accountability in government is an issue for all levels of government.” - Joan
“We need these changes.” - Genevieve
“I support Prop R for Reform because St. Louis government should be focused on serving the people.” - Emily
Want to show your support for Reform St. Louis? Click here to endorse.
“Proposition R takes the first step to ensure the public has an active role in helping to shape legislation that works in their favor.”
— LaShana Lewis, CEO of L.M. Lewis Consulting & Board Chair of Show Me Integrity Education Fund
