ST. LOUIS (KMOX) — The downfall of Steve Stenger appears to have been the final straw that pushed backers of a St. Louis city-county merger to pull their plan off the table — at least for now.
Better Together, the effort to merge the City of St. Louis with St. Louis County, withdrew its proposal Monday afternoon.
A statement from Unite STL said, "The overall mission remains the same: to change the way local government works so that it’s more efficient and responsive to the people of this region."
Better Together has faced multiple setbacks since its initial release.
Better Together Chairman — Washington University Chancellor Mark Wrighton — said they still believe the region needs to come together. But he admits there was widespread opposition to the idea of a statewide vote deciding on the marriage. So, when the plan comes back will there no longer be a statewide vote?
"There may need to be changes to laws that are state laws to bring about the ability —" Wrighton said before KMOX's Kevin Killeen pressed if there will still be a statewide vote. "It might be an enabling vote for local dominion over the combination of the city and the county," Wrighton added.
"When we came to the point where (former) County Executive (Steve) Stenger resigned, and then had a guilty pleading, we feel that that shook the confidence of the community, many of whom were supporting this effort," Wrighton said.
Wrighton admitted he's still unclear on whether in the future local voters would have the absolute final say so. He added that the downfall of Steve Stenger was the final problem leading to the decision to shelve the plan.
Further, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson claimed she asked for the petition to be withdrawn.