Nixon Flips: No Special Session Needed Now December 1, 2014

(AP) – Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon now says a special legislative session will not be necessary to pay for the public safety response to protests in the St. Louis area.

Nixon’s decision Monday came after legislative leaders suggested he could use existing budget authority to pay National Guard and Missouri State Highway Patrol officers who have been on duty.

The governor said Friday night that he planned to call a special session because costs appeared on track to exceed what was allowed in the budget.

The governor activated the National Guard because of protests over a grand jury’s decision not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, who is white, for the Aug. 9 fatal shooting of black 18-year-old Michael Brown. Protesters set fires and looted stores after the decision was announced.

Leadership Balking at Ferguson Special Session December 1, 2014

(AP) – Missouri legislative leaders are raising doubts about whether a special session is needed to approve money for the state’s public safety response to protests in the St. Louis area.

Gov. Jay Nixon has said he plans to call a special legislative session because emergency funds in the budget will soon run out.

But House and Senate leaders said Monday that there appears to be enough money to pay the National Guard members and Missouri State Highway Patrol officers who have been on duty.

The governor activated the National Guard because of protests over a grand jury’s decision not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, who is white, for the Aug. 9 fatal shooting of black 18-year-old Michael Brown. Protesters set fires and looted stores after the decision was announced.