Historical June 1995 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
State Representative Nancy Farmer, whose district includes most of the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood, returned to St. Louis last month after a busy session in the State Legislature. Farmer reported that this session was marred by “political grandstanding, day to day. uncertainty. and incredible tension.” During previous sessions, one party had enough seats in the House to pass legislation.
This session, Farmer explained, “the process broke down.” Democrats and Republicans had nearly the same number of seats in the House.
As a result, it was often difficult for either party to pass legislation.
The House erupted into heated debates on sensitive issues, such as abortion, adding to the tension.
In spite of these difficulties Farmer feels that this session was not unproductive. “In a normal session, the House passes about 200 bills, ” she said. ‘This session we passed around 170, so it was not substantially less.” In addition, Farmer was very pleased with the progress made on issues “important to my district and to the City.” Farmer was particularly pleased with the progress made on local control of the St. Louis Police Department. Last year, she supported a bill giving total control of the department to the City. That bill failed.
This session, however, a bill giving the City control of the department’s budget passed.
The police department accounts for 1/3 of the City’s total budget. Under this bill Farmer said, ‘The police department’s budget will be handled like that of any other city department, including the fire department and EMS.
They must submit a specific budget and negotiate it line by line with the Board of Estimate and Apportionment.” The board is made up of the Mayor, Comptroller, and President of the Board of Aldermen and deals with the City’s budget issues. Farmer hopes that this new law “will make the Police Commissioners more accountable to the residents of St. Louis, through their elected officials.” While she was • extremely pleased with the increased local control of the police department, Farmer believes that “our district’s greatest success was the defeat of the concealed weapons bill.” Farmer considers this especially impressive since she estimates that “at least 120 of the 163 legislators support the concept” of legalizing concealed weapons.
However, Farmer believes that the supporters were divided over whether or not the proposed law should face a public vote.
The Senate originally passed the bill, calling for a referendum on the issue.
The House took out this provision and returned the bill to the Senate.
The bill died in the Senate during the last days of the session. Farmer expects the issue return next session, but said she “will continue to oppose it in any way shape or form.” Another of Farmer’s priorities this session was the Youth Opportunities and Violence Prevention Act, which she cosponsored.
Most of this bill was passed as part of the Juvenile Crime Bill. Farmer’s provisions authorize $6 million in tax credits to business who support programs for “at risk” youths. ‘The programs could provide employment, recreational or mentor opportunities, ” she said.
She hopes that providing youngsters with such opportunities can help prevent juvenile crime. ‘This. is done without creating any new bureaucracy, but by expanding and promoting existing programs at the neighborhood level, ” she noted.
Another success for Farmer was the passage of a bill she sponsored with Rep. Sheila Lumpe. Under state law, commercial property is taxed at a much higher rate than residential property. Previously, any multifamily building with four or more units was classified as commercial property and taxed at a higher rate.
This bill adjusts the classifications so that any apartment building is classified as residential, while hotels and motels are still taxed as commercial property. ‘Why should a person who owns one six-family building be taxed at a different rate than a person who owns three two-family buildings?” Farmer asked.
She hopes that this change in classifications will “increase the stability of multifamily units in the district.” One disappointment for Farmer was the lack of action on a bill to allow local regulation of billboards. Before the next session she hopes to “meet with representatives from the highway department and the billboard industry and try to reach a compromise.” While Farmer’s local control bill did not pass, she was pleased that a bill limiting billboards on rural “scenic byways” did pass.
While she was disappointed with the lack of action on billboards, Farmer was pleased that the Legislature delayed action on the Park and Soil Tax.
The revenues from this tax are divided equally between state parks and soil conservation programs. Farmer considers the delay “a big victory” for her district.
She says that the City contributes a great deal to this program but, because there are no state parks in the city, “we get virtually nothing in return.” She notes that the City could use funds from such a program for repairs in Forest Park. “I don’t want to take funding from state parks, ” she said. “I just hope that we can find a more equitable solution to this problem.” Farmer hopes that an acceptable compromise can be reached next session.
The Soil and Park Tax debate is just one example of the divisions between rural and urban lawmakers. Last year, Farmer worked with Rep. Joan Bray to form a caucus of St. Louis area legislators. Farmer said she was “pleased with the building coalition this session.” She notes that while area lawmakers “do not agree on everything, we have been able to work together on a number of issues that are unique to our region.” Farmer hopes that, in future sessions, this coalition can continue to pass bills that benefit the St. Louis region.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, June 1995.
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Original source: SD_Times1995_06.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
