ST. LOUIS — The plan to reunite St. Louis and St. Louis County has been withdrawn.
A press release from Unite STL, the group behind the plan to merge St. Louis and St. Louis County, withdrew the proposal, saying it will look for a different way to implement the changes proposed in the plan, including a local vote.
Unite STL said changes in their plan released at the end of January would have required changes to the Missouri Constitution, which can only be done by a statewide vote. In the months since the proposal was released, the plan saw major pushback saying the plan should be a local vote in St. Louis and St. Louis County.
“This will take longer,” said Unite STL Chairman Mark Wrighton in a press release. “But, together with local leaders, we are seeking to create a new government that will serve people today and future generations. We have a responsibility to get this done, and do it right, even though it is hard and will go through unexpected twists and turns.”
In a tweet, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, who supported the plan, said she asked Unite STL to pause the petition because of "turmoil in the county."
St. Louis County Executive Sam Page released the following statement:
Better Together’s proposal sparked a conversation about how our region’s governments could be reformed. That’s an important conversation, and one that we should continue.
I appreciated Better Together’s contribution to the dialogue but I had several serious reservations about the group’s proposal. Among my concerns was the statewide vote. I believe any change to government in the City and the County should be up to City and County voters.
I am encouraged that Better Together pulled its proposal today. It shows they’re listening. I hope that future efforts at reform will be built from the ground up, engaging community leaders, the African-American community, the Municipal League and other stakeholders.
