Updated 1:47 p.m.
One of the newest members of Gov. Jay Nixon's staff is a former University of Missouri football player who has been accompanying Nixon on almost all of his travels.
State personnel records show Jeff Gettys officially began work in Nixon's office last month. A Nixon spokesman says Gettys performs logistical and operational duties for the governor's office.
Records obtained by The Associated Press show Gettys was regularly traveling with Nixon as early as July, when his salary was being paid through the Department of Economic Development.
Missouri's budget prohibits most departments from paying for the travel or staffing costs of the governor. The Republican chairmen of the House and Senate budget committees say Nixon's administration may have violated that provision by Gettys' work arrangement at the Economic Development Department.