Kinder calls for Ferguson committee composed of
equal numbers of Democrats, Republicans
Panel would review, assess state’s response in Ferguson
JEFFERSON CITY — Lt. Governor Peter Kinder today called for the formation of a bipartisan legislative committee to review and assess the state’s response to the recent unrest in Ferguson.
“The events in Ferguson supersede politics and warrant a genuinely bipartisan response from both chambers of the Legislature,” said Kinder in the letter to Sen. Tom Dempsey, President Pro Tem of the Senate, and Rep. Tim Jones, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Kinder asked that the committee be composed of equal members from both parties and be co-chaired by a Democrat and Republican each from the House and the Senate.
The committee would address four main issues related to the crisis in Ferguson: Communication failures by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies; a review of the state’s policy toward law enforcement’s use of deadly force; possible changes to Missouri’s Open Records Law to ensure transparency; and economic and educational reforms in Ferguson.
Kinder said the events in Ferguson have drawn the world’s attention and cast Missouri in a grim light. He said he hopes the bipartisan committee’s efforts will help to show that Missouri’s elected representatives “are united in their resolve to remedy the problems that led to the Ferguson crisis and map a clear plan for the future.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 21, 2014
<Kinder Letter for Ferguson Joint Committee.pdf>
