President Green’s Office Will Implement Prop R’s Delayed Ethics Rules
The city’s recent legal victory in defense of Proposition R, a charter change that altered how the city’s ward boundaries will be redrawn in future redistricting efforts. The charter change also included changes to the city’s ethics rules, which would require members of the Board of Aldermen to file annual financial disclosure paperwork and refrain from voting on matters where they may have a conflict of interest. The President of the Board of Aldermen’s office was contacted about the legal developments and asked whether the expected ethics rules would be implemented.
President Megan Green’s office responded, saying that they intend to move forward with the changes. “Now that the court case has been settled, the President’s office plans to review the policy to ensure the Board of Aldermen is in compliance. President Green supported Prop R when it was at the ballot and believes that transparency is important. We’re looking to stand up a number of additional transparency measures this fall, including a new meeting management system that will make it easier for residents to track the legislative process,” said President Green’s Director of Communications Yusuf Daneshyar.
We also contacted the Board of Aldermen’s newest member Jami Cox Antwi, who appeared in local media outlets as an unofficial spokesperson for the Reform St. Louis campaign, which backed the charter change. “I believe Prop R was supported overwhelmingly by the people of St. Louis because they know they deserve a government that works for them… I am and will continue to be an advocate for transparency and honest government as a new member on the Board of Aldermen,” responded Cox Antwi.
It is unknown if members of the board who have opposed the changes will seek to delay the new ethics rules. An alderman who has been publicly opposed to the new personal financial disclosure rules was contacted for comment, but they did not respond by the time of publication.
Proposition R passed with the support of close to 70% of city voters in 2022. The Board of Aldermen is scheduled to return from their summer break on Friday, September 12th.
