Steve Butz

The legislation, which now goes to the Senate, would place control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department under a board consisting of governor-appointed members and the mayor of St. Louis.

A lawsuit that seeks to reimburse remote workers who paid the city’s earnings tax awaits a ruling from the Missouri Court of Appeals.

Other recommendations by the committee included an exemption of the earnings tax for low-income workers as well as reimbursements for remote workers.

St. Louis Budget Director Paul Payne faced a barrage of questions from Missouri House members over the city’s earnings tax on Monday.

As the St. Louis Board of Aldermen considers a proposal to provide property tax relief for seniors, the St. Louis County Council will again debate the issue after rejecting an earlier bill. The discussions come as the Missouri House continues to examine personal property taxes and the earnings tax.

The sold-out event in St. Louis coincides with a three-day Democratic National Committee event that will feature Vice President Kamala Harris.

Rep. Crystal Quade has been the leader of Missouri House Democrats since 2018.

Butz represents Missouri’s 81st District, which takes in neighborhoods in south St. Louis.

The resolution gives the state legislature appropriations power over the state road fund, which is now under the control of the Transportation Department. Because it’s a proposed constitutional amendment, it must be approved by voters to go into effect.

Under the legislation, the governor would appoint four members to a board of police commissioners. St. Louis’ mayor would also serve on that board.