ST. LOUIS–Monday was another ascendant day for the progressive wing of the Democratic party at City Hall, as Megan Green was inaugurated as the 22nd President of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen.

Green defeated fellow Alderman Jack Coatar on Nov. 8 in the race to fill out the remaining five months left in the current four-year term for the office, which has seen three people hold it this year alone. Lewis Reed resigned in June after a federal corruption indictment, giving way to Alderman Joe Vollmer, who was Acting President but decided not to seek the office, and now Green, who became the first woman elected to the post.

 

 

 

 

 

Green’s election also marks the first time women occupy all three seats on the city’s Board of Estimate and Apportionment, joining Mayor Tishaura Jones and Comptroller Darlene Green. The Mayor and Comptroller both spoke at Monday’s ceremony, with Jones describing how her friendship with the new Board President has evolved over time, including a low point after Jones didn’t endorse Green in her 2019 challenge to Reed, and bonding during a road trip to Iowa during the 2020 presidential race. Jones supported Green in the race against Coatar. 

“I will not be a rubber stamp, but I will also not be a roadblock bought by lobbyists and special interests,” Green said of her relationship with her new colleagues at the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, which approves all city appropriations and real estate purchases. “The only agenda I’ll bring to E&A is the people’s agenda. And I know you share it.”

Green will have the odd distinction of being on the ballot for the same job three times within a six month period when she runs in the March primary for the full four-year term. Monday was the first day to file for the primary, but her campaign says she expects to do so later this week. She'll be presiding over the Board as it prepares to go from the current 28-member composition to 14 after the spring elections.

Her remarks touched on familiar campaign themes, from reforming the tax incentive process for developers, and talking about the need to “rebuild the city workforce that is necessary to provide quality services in every corner” of the city, citing trash pickup, 911 dispatching and street maintenance among areas of concern.

She echoed Jones’ call for working to solve root causes of crime and also pointed to the need to prepare for the realities of legalized marijuana following this month’s successful statewide ballot initiative. For the city of St. Louis that means changing zoning laws to allow for recreational marijuana and her support for a “marijuana tax” to go before city voters.

After her remarks, Green talked to reporters in her new physical office, one that did not yet have her name on the door, saying that it would be open to members of the Board and the public.

“Bring me your ideas. Never feel like you can’t come to this office and talk to me and talk to my staff. We’re going to rebuild trust by rebuilding a connection with the St. Louis community.”