Governor Jay Nixon views three items as economic development priorities for the Legislature next session.
Governor Jay Nixon
“I think we should continue to support the Missouri Technology Corporation. That’s one of the reasons why we are number one in the country in new businesses being created,” said Nixon. “But also, supporting education and getting to the issue of infrastructure. I’m hopeful that this year is the year in which we can begin to make some of the longer term investments of roads, bridges and ports that we need to do.”
U.S. Census data shows more than 9,000 Missouri businesses were created in 2013, which is more than any other state in the country.
The state needs more transportation money to keep drawing federal matching funds.
“MODOT has over one thousand fewer employees,” said Nixon. “We’ve closed two regional offices. We’ve closed a whole bunch of things to make sure they are the right size so that the dollars that do come in can be put toward roads, bridges and ports.”
The Legislature couldn’t agree this year on how to increase transportation funding, but most lawmakers believe it must be increased.
