JEFFERSON CITY — Gov. Jay Nixon announced Friday that he will call a special session of the General Assembly to provide critical funding for the ongoing operations of the Missouri National Guard and the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Ferguson and the St. Louis region.

The governor stated in a news release that with the ramped-up presence and role of the Guard and Highway Patrol in the region, financial obligations are on track to exceed the current appropriation authority for emergency duties.

In a call with legislative leaders Friday night, Nixon emphasized the importance of taking action quickly to ensure that Guard members are paid on Dec. 15. Additional details regarding the timing and scope of the special session will be released in the coming days.

“The dedicated men and women of the National Guard and the Missouri State Highway Patrol are playing a critical role in keeping people safe and protecting property in the St. Louis region,” Nixon stated in the release. “Time is of the essence. It is vital that we act quickly so that we can fulfill our obligation to the men and women who are so bravely and capably serving their fellow citizens.”

The fiscal 2015 state budget approved by the Legislature included $4 million for National Guard state emergency duty response costs and $3.4 million for the State Emergency Management Agency for expenses incurred by state agencies, including the Highway Patrol, in responding to disasters and emergencies from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015.

“This was a productive discussion,” Nixon stated about the call with legislators. “It’s clear these legislators share our commitment to public safety and understand the need for prompt action. I look forward to working with legislators in the coming days to ensure these vital resources are available.”

Besides obligations that have already been incurred, Nixon said other activities such as debris removal could result in additional costs. Exceeding the emergency duty appropriations would also limit the ability of the state to respond to other emergencies that could arise.

Unlike during prior emergencies, a special session is necessary for Ferguson-related obligations because the appropriations for the state’s emergency duty costs no longer include an “estimated” designation. Without the estimated designation, the governor must ask the Legislature to appropriate additional amounts when needed.