MO lawmakers question Nixon's response to Syrian refugees
JEFFERSON CITY (AP) - Missouri lawmakers are set to question officials in Gov. Jay Nixon's administration on how the state spends money to help refugees.
The Legislature recently set the Monday hearing in response to deadly attacks in Paris and criticism of Nixon's decision not to join other governors who are calling for the resettlement of Syrian refugees in their states to be blocked.
Nixon's decision sparked outcry among many Republican lawmakers, including some who called for a special session to block state cooperation with federal relocation efforts. Some GOP and Democratic legislators are supportive of welcoming refugees.
The federal government oversees refugee relocation, and individual states do not have the legal authority to block refugee placement.
But legislators have control over state funding for some refugee assistance programs in the state.