By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – An audit of the Missouri Governor's office claims there are ongoing problems over the use of state-owned vehicles for political and personal use.
Democratic State Auditor Susan Montee says a 2005 law that allows the governor to use state vehicles and security staff on personal and campaign trips appears to conflict with the state's constitution.
"I think that the constitution says that you do not use state resources for personal use, or political use, that you would not do that," Montee said.
Montee recommends that lawmakers pass legislation that clearly defines when state-owned vehicles can be used for non-official business, and that until then, the governor should either reimburse the state or stop using them.
In response, Governor Blunt says providing vehicles and security for the state's chief executive is a long-held practice that needs to stay in place.
"Future governors and their First Families should have some measure of security due to the nature of their position...I think it would be very difficult to start to break that all apart and determine what was personal and political and professional," Blunt said.
Blunt did not comment, though, on whether he thought it was necessary to reimburse the state for vehicle and security detail use.