By DAVID A. LIEB
Associated Press
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri's Republican House leader wants a legislative hearing on allegations of a hostile workplace in parts of Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon's administration.
House Speaker Tim Jones said Friday that he has asked the House Government Oversight and Accountability Committee to convene a hearing on the issue. That comes after former employees in the departments of agriculture and labor recently went public with assertions of intimidation and discrimination by former department directors.
Nixon spokesman Scott Holste said Friday that the administration tries to foster a workforce that is "professional in demeanor and inclusive in its composition."
Republican House member Jay Barnes, of Jefferson City, is chairman of the oversight committee. He says the hearing will focus on whether Nixon's office is diligently vetting applicants before making appointments to key positions.