The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is one step closer to being under state control, as the Missouri House of Representatives voted 106-47 to pass legislation placing control of the St. Louis police under a mostly governor-appointed board. If the bill becomes law in its current form, a five-person board would assume control of the police department, with one commissioner appointed solely by the governor.
While St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones has vehemently opposed the plan, citing concerns about public safety, Gov. Mike Kehoe has expressed support for state control, believing it will improve safety in the city. The St. Louis department has been under local control since 2013, but supporters of the bill argue that a change is necessary.
In addition to the police control legislation, the House also passed a bill that would bar state funds from being used for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. This comes in light of a recent executive order by Gov. Kehoe to eliminate such programs within the state government. Democrats have spoken out against this legislation, believing it will further divide people.
Furthermore, the House advanced a bill that shields companies from having to place specific cancer warnings on pesticides. This move has faced opposition from lawmakers who believe it protects companies like Bayer, whose U.S. headquarters is in Creve Coeur, from lawsuits related to their products.
All three pieces of legislation will now move to the Missouri Senate for further consideration.
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