In June of this year, Better Together STL announced the formation of a task force to provide recommendations to the community on how best to address the fragmented structure of local governance in St. Louis city and St. Louis County. This task force has the endorsement of Mayor Lyda Krewson and County Executive Steve Stenger and is comprised of Spire CEO, Suzanne Sitherwood, Bryan Cave partner Arindam Kar, and me.
Much has been made of the negative byproducts of fragmentation in our region. Along with a price tag of $2.5 billion annually, our system of local governance breeds unhealthy intraregional competition, a gross disparity in services, and an inability to act on a shared vision for our region.
While these factors clearly weigh heavily on the St. Louis region, it is imperative that any discussion of reform include a thoughtful consideration of the potential impact on African-American political representation and influence. Indeed, some have argued that a regional model of governance would dilute the political influence of African Americans. However, this opinion should also acknowledge the benefits of a more unified African-American political leadership.
Regional governance could bring greater attention and allocation of resources to the issues of core interest to the African-American community. We would have a greater ability to address health disparities, universal police standards and training, neighborhood revitalization through creation of enterprise zones, along with region-wide expertise to address violence, maternal child health, and toxic stress.
These are also goals of both Forward Through Ferguson and the For the Sake of All study. In effect, efforts already underway in many parts of our community could be focused and amplified in a way St. Louis has never achieved before.
Already, area hospitals are collaborating with the city and county health departments on regional community health assessments and health improvement plans. Stronger regional governance would allow efforts like this to gain greater traction and ultimately enable the African-American community to seek solutions of the magnitude to the problems that affect us.Â
As it was recently argued in the pages of The American, now is a time for African American leaders to bond together to ensure our community benefits from the collective impact of our collaboration. Equity in political representation will not automatically come with regional governance. However, my task force colleagues and I are fully committed to gathering meaningful input from the community and crafting recommendations that ensure an empowered future for the African-American community and all of St. Louis.
Contrary to some opinions, rather than being lessened by regionalism, we will be stronger, focused, and committed to a strategic vision where everyone is a winner in the St. Louis region. Our first task force public forum is scheduled for October 9. We need to hear from you. I urge you to join us in this critical conversation and help us envision the new future of our region.
Will Ross, MD, MPH, is a member of the Regional Governance Task Force, and associate dean and professor of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine.
