As Governor Jay Nixon puts the finishing touches on his State of the State Address he makes it clear he will not ask Missourians to pay higher taxes.
“I’m holding the line on taxes once again,” Nixon told reporters at a Jefferson City event late last week.
Nixon does not believe taxes must be raised in order to maintain funding for important state programs and services.
“I think that’s a false choice,” said Nixon. “I think we should hold the line on taxes. I’ve said that. I’ve been consistent in that and I’ll remain consistent. We’re going to balance this budget with the resources people give us. We’re going to make it work. You have to make sure you do that. We’re not going to solve the problems of Missouri by taking government’s hands, at this time, and dipping into people’s pockets.”
Nixon credits the cooperation between his office and the General Assembly.
“You see Missouri with the House and the Senate Democrats and Republicans and the Governor’s Office and the budget officers coming together and agreeing on a bipartisan government revenue estimate before we even began this process,” said Nixon.
He’s particularly pleased with his Missouri has, unlike many other states, kept its head above water.
“We have worked hard to make the trims necessary to make sure that basic services of our state have not dramatically been cut,” said Nixon. “When you compare Missouri to other states – California has just fallen off into the Pacific, but that’s the way that goes. Colorado is taking $150-million off higher education in the middle of a budget year.”
Nixon delivers his State of the State speech before a joint session of the General Assembly in the House chamber at 7 o’clock Wednesday night.
Audio: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)
