St. Louis lawmaker proposes city as 51st state

A St. Louis County lawmaker, Rep. Michael Burton, proposed making St. Louis, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County the 51st state. He suggested this during a debate on police department oversight, but has not yet filed formal legislation. Burton's comments came in response to President Trump's suggestion that Canada should become the 51st state. He argued that St. Louis should keep its tax revenue, claiming the city subsidizes surrounding areas. While Burton's proposal is unlikely to progress, it highlights ongoing tensions between urban and rural areas in Missouri. Some rural residents in other states are also seeking to break away and form new states.