Missouri lawmaker seeks legal action over Gov. Nixon's order

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A Republican state senator wants Missouri's attorney general to take legal action against Gov. Jay Nixon over the governor's actions in a school funding matter.

Sen. Jason Crowell of Cape Girardeau said Nixon violated the constitutional separation of powers last month when he ordered education officials to ignore part of a bill making midyear budget cuts to school districts.

The Democratic governor signed the bill but called a section sparing some school districts from the cuts unconstitutional.

Crowell wrote Monday to Attorney General Chris Koster asking him to use his authority to make sure the separation of powers is protected. Crowell said the governor cannot disregard part of a law passed by the legislature.

Koster's office says it has received the letter and plans to respond.