By Rachel Lippmann, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Leaders of the St. Louis region say they'll have to continue to work together to get the most out of any federal or state aid.
The seven counties account for more than a third of the state's population and a large chunk of the tax base. But, local government officials said today, they don't get their fair share - especially when it comes to transportation. The region gets back less than a dollar for every one it sends to Jefferson City.
St. Louis County executive Charlie Dooley says there's only so much county officials can do. He urged state lawmakers to cooperate as well.
"We have a huge delegation that ought to be able to change the conversation at the state level," he said.
Democratic State Senator Rita Heard Days, one of the leaders of the region's caucus in Jefferson City, traces part of the problem to rural leadership on the transportation committees. But, she said, the caucus has hurt itself by not having a regional plan.
St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann wants lawmakers to change the way tax credits are awarded. Right now, Ehlmann said, cities compete against each other to benefit themselves, rather than the entire region.
"We've built new malls, we've built new shopping centers, and as soon as we build one, people start shopping there and guess what, another one in a different part of the region shuts down," he said.