The Rams' Funds: A Dilemma in St. Louis
Nov 19, 2024 at 4:47 AM
St. Louis has been in possession of the Rams' funds for nearly two years, yet not a single cent has been spent. This situation is set to change as aldermen prepare for their final hearing, where decisions on how to allocate the $280 million will be made. On Monday, residents came together to voice their concerns and push for specific uses of the funds. One of the main focuses was on providing childcare help. In a crowded meeting room, St. Louis residents made it clear to the Board of Aldermen that the cost of childcare is a critical issue and that Rams money could be the solution. Paula Vickers, the director of early childhood power building at WEPOWER, emphasized the importance of this decision, stating, "It looks at our ability to shape the St. Louis we want and dream of." Vickers was the driving force behind the idea of using Rams money for subsidized childcare. She posed the question, "Do we invest in properties or do we invest in people?" This sparked a lively debate among the residents. They are requesting $100 million to be allocated to childcare organizations to enhance facilities, increase the number of seats, and reduce costs. Parents, they believe, will see a significant difference. As Vickers explained, "If they have costs offset for them, the common practice is to offset the cost for parents." In addition to childcare, the funds will also be used to provide scholarships for educators. This will enable them to return to school, earn higher pay, and continue teaching. Tina Mosley, a 29-year early childhood educator in the city, highlighted the importance of this investment. She said, "Which helps to improve the quality of your program because knowledge is power." Mosley firmly believes that investing in children benefits not only parents but also the economy and nearly every aspect of city life. She added, "It goes beyond just the walls of early childcare." Before the final meeting, several board members introduced their own bills on how to spend the Rams money. One plan includes spending $130 million on disinvested neighborhoods in North City and parts of South City, and another $102 million on infrastructure and decaying buildings downtown. Co-sponsor Laura Keys argued passionately for this during Monday's meeting, stating, "It is better for our children that come from neighborhoods where there isn't broken windows everywhere, vacant lots, and derelict buildings. Safety is an issue." The effort to allocate the Rams' funds was partly spearheaded by Greater St. Louis Inc. However, they received a letter last week from Board President Megan Green accusing them of bypassing the public input process. Green stated in the letter, "It demonstrates that GSL sees itself and its interests above the many residents and stakeholder groups." At the end of the meeting, Green addressed the issue, emphasizing the need to stop pitting groups against each other in the city, specifically mentioning downtown. Jason Hall, the CEO of Greater St. Louis Inc., sent Green a letter on Monday, stating that Green had already signaled support for a municipal endowment fund before the public engagement process was completed. Green assured that a board bill will be introduced in the coming weeks with her and the mayor's support, and they welcome public input. The city will soon seek feedback using the same website that allowed citizens to voice their opinions earlier in the process.
