State lawmakers have curtailed the spending authority of the Missouri State Highway Patrol because of frustration over the purchase of a new airplane frequently used by the governor.
A new law that will take effect Aug. 28 will require the patrol to get legislative approval before spending more than $100,000 from a special state fund on any vehicle.
Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon announced this past week that he will allow the measure passed by the Republican-led Legislature to take effect without his signature.
The new restrictions come after lawmakers complained that they were not told in advance about the patrol's purchase last December of a new $5.6 million airplane. Records show that Nixon has flown on the plane frequently.
