Special Prosecutor bill remains ‘high priority’ in Mo. Legislature as long as Kim Gardner remains St. Louis prosecutor

Legislation that would allow the governor to appoint a special prosecutor in certain cities where violent crime is being driven by Republican criticism of Democratic prosecutor Kim Gardner in St. Louis. 

Republican House Speaker Dean Plocher told reporters Thursday that if Garner resigns or is removed from office, he thinks the bill would likely become less urgent this session:

“If she was to resign from office — I believe the governor has the ability to appoint her successor — I would think the bill at that point would not have the impetus behind it, that the governor would be able to take care of the situation and remedy that.”

The bill passed the Missouri House earlier this month and was heard Monday by a Missouri Senate committee.