State Ex Rel. Sayad v. Zych

The majority opinion holds that the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners (Police Board) is a state agency within the meaning of Art. X, § 21, Mo. Const. (Hancock Amendment). Hence, according to the majority, the strictures of the Hancock Amendment apply to limit any increase in the budget of the Police Department of the City of St. Louis. I disagree with the premise and conclusion of the majority.

The Police Board has presented the police department budget, representing an increase from the previous fiscal year, to the St. Louis Board of Aldermen for implementation. As on many prior…