Lawmakers call for MIAC oversight

Intro: Two Senate Appropriations committee members call for more oversight of the Missouri Information Analysis Center, MIAC, more than a week after it released a report on U.S. militias.

Max Reiss has more from Jefferson City.

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Southeast Missouri Republican Rob Mayer said he couldn't believe the report.

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Description: "I thought: 'Wow, this is crazy!'"

That was his reaction to claims contained in the Missouri Information Analysis Center's report on militias in the U-S.

Mayer also said lawmakers need to take a hard look into how MIAC is run.

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Description: "We're going to look at this very closely and delve into it in more depth and get to the heart of what's going on here. Who's responsible? Why the felt the need to do this? And why they classify these good citizens as they have done?"

Currently, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has barred MIAC from releasing any new reports and has refused comment on the fate of the report's authors.

From the State Capitol, I'm Max Reiss, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: A state lawmaker compares the controversial Missouri Information Analysis Center militia report to something out of the Cold War.

Max Reiss (REECE) has more from the State Capitol.

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The controversial report issued by the Missouri Information Analysis Center, or MIAC, has at least one state senator outraged.

Southeast Missouri Republican Rob Mayer says the report contains outlandish claims about political conservatives and third party supporters.

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Description: "I'd like to get to the heart of this and find out who's responsible and who would label these kinds of people as they did. I think this is horrible. This is the United States of America in 2009. This is not communist Russia."

On Wednesday, the Missouri State Highway Patrol Superintendent said there is an ongoing overview of MIAC but refused to say the status of the agency's director or the authors of the report.

From the state Capitol, I'm Max Reiss, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: Senate Appropriations Committee members call for strict oversight of MIAC following its report which says political conservatives and members of alternative parties are linked to the militia movement.

Max Reiss (REECE) has more from Jefferson City.

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One state senator says the militia report issued by the Missouri Information Analysis Center shows the state-funded agency needs to be examined closely.

Jefferson County Democrat Frank Barnitz says he will use his seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee to probe MIAC into how it compiles reports.

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Description: "I think that that's a prime opportunity for us to ask a lot of questions about what has already occurred. About what their duties are and how they will, in the future, meet their obligations."

The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Superintendent James Keathley says there is an ongoing internal review of MIAC but did not answer questions regarding the authors of the report.

From the state Capitol, I'm Max Reiss, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: One state senator says the MIAC militia report contains claims about individuals who are in fact harmless and even donated to his campaign.

Max Reiss has more from Jefferson City.

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Southeast Missouri Senator Rob Mayer says claims contained in the Missouri Information Analysis Center, or MIAC, militia report are crazy.

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Description: "You know. . . these people are not a threat or a danger to anyone. In fact, a lot of them are some of my supporters."

Mayer also said the agency, which is under the umbrella of the state highway patrol, needs more oversight.

He also said those responsible for the report need to be dealt with harshly.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol Superintendent says an internal review of the agency is ongoing but would not answer questions regarding the report's authors or the director of the agency.

From the state Capitol, Max Reiss, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.