By Adam Allington, St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis, MO. – A bill allowing St. Louis firefighters to live outside of the city is on its way to Governor Nixon's desk.
The bill passed 27-3 in the Senate.
If signed by the governor, the new requirements would mirror a similar law applying to police officers which allows them to live outside the city after seven years of service.
St. Louis Democratic State Senator Joe Keaveny says the residency issue is one for the Board of Aldermen to consider, not the General Assembly
"Firefighters are good people, they're good neighbors. The average resident would love to have a firefighter to live on a block," Keaveny said. "They're city employees. The citizens stated by referendum that they want city employees to live in the city. I haven't heard anything contrary to that."
Proponents of the bill claim that firefighters with families should have the right to live outside the city to access better public schools.
Calls to sponsor Senator Jim Lembke were not returned.