Greitens' family leave changes cause Missouri GOP clash

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens' decision to give paid family leave to executive branch employees isn't sitting well with some Republican senators.

GOP Sen. Rob Schaaf on Thursday said the governor's executive order is unconstitutional. He said Greitens needs authority from the Legislature to pay for the $1.1 million price tag on the policy change.

"This is a separation of powers issue," Schaaf said Wednesday. "Just because he happens to be a Republican doesn't give him a pass. And if we let him get away with it this time, he'll think that he can get away with it forever, and future governors will, too."

Greitens' spokesman Parker Briden in an email said the administration is "confident" the policy is constitutional and can be paid for within executive agencies' current budgets.

The governor's action last month drew praise from Women's Foundation and others, but upset some Republicans concerned about Greitens overstepping his authority.

The Republican-led Senate for weeks delayed confirming Greitens' appointments to boards and commissions. Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard has said that's because lawmakers wanted to meet with Greitens to discuss "a couple issues."

Schaaf said the paid family leave policy was the hold up on appointees.

After a private meeting between Greitens and GOP senators Wednesday, the Senate confirmed the governor's appointees. Briden called the meeting "productive."

Richard said there was some relief after Greitens met with senators. When asked later about parental leave, he said Senate Republicans "haven't finished our discussion with the governor's office" and said he was working with the Senate attorney on some legal issues.