Hearing scheduled to look at funding for refugee assistance in Missouri
House Speaker Todd Richardson and Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard on Friday announced a joint hearing that will examine programs the governor could use to help refugees.
The House Budget Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold the hearing Monday, November 30.
“Our governor has yet to fully articulate a plan or take a stand on this issue that has generated immense concern from the people of Missouri. Our sympathies go out to those who have been impacted by the strife in Syria, but we must place the safety and well-being of Missourians as our top priority. As a result, I have asked chairman Flanigan and Haefner to work with Sen. Schaefer and members of their committees to fully review the various programs that could be used to provide assistance for refugee resettlement within our borders,” said Richardson.
“Because of our governor’s lack of leadership and this administration’s failed federal foreign policies, we will try to find ways to protect the safety and well-being of the citizens of the Show-Me State,” said Senate Leader Ron Richard, R-Joplin. “While we are compassionate to the victims of the Syrian Civil War, our first and most important duty as legislators is to keep our people safe from harm’s way.”
A St. Louis woman filed a petition Thursday to try to keep Syrian refugees out of Missouri.
Senator Kurt Schaefer on Wednesday received a letter from the Department of Social Services responding to questions about its responsibilities regarding refugees moving to Missouri. You can read that entire letter here.
