House and Senate Leaders Call for
Public Hearings to Investigate Governor’s
Response to Ferguson Unrest
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Senate and House leaders today called for public hearings to investigate the governor’s response to the unrest in Ferguson, and to determine if emergency appropriations are necessary to fund operations for the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Missouri National Guard.
Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles; Senate Majority Floor Leader Ron Richard, R-Joplin; House Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka; and House Majority Floor Leader John J. Diehl, Jr., R-Town and Country, affirmed that the Legislature is ready and willing to help the men and women of the National Guard and Highway Patrol, and to ensure that all necessary resources are available to maintain the safety of the public in Ferguson and surrounding communities. However, they said the governor’s lack of communication and information has raised doubts about the validity of his request for a special session. All four leaders said the governor has failed to provide any details in the three days since he announced to the press that he would call for a special session.
Jones, Diehl, Dempsey and Richard said the General Assembly conducted its own independent analysis regarding the state resources available to the governor for funding the personnel needed to provide security in Ferguson and greater St. Louis. According to Senate and House analysis, the governor currently has approximately $3.1 million in emergency assistance money for the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The governor also has $51.8 million in the Patrol operating budget, with at least $6 million made up from the state’s general revenue. In addition, the governor has $3.2 million remaining for emergency payment to the Missouri National Guard in addition to $11.6 million remaining for Guard responses to declared emergencies.
Based on this analysis, Senate and House leaders said they believe the governor currently has the resources and authority to spend the necessary dollars to provide security to the communities of Ferguson and greater St. Louis. They agreed that the legislature would be able to provide supplemental appropriations, if necessary, when the General Assembly convenes for the 2015 session on January 7.
The four leaders have asked the Joint Committee on Government Accountability to closely examine the governor’s actions and the potential need for emergency appropriations. They said they expect the committee to hold its first hearing in the coming days.
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