Governor Nixon’s State of the State address is Wednesday. That’s when he’ll unveil his proposed budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard
Senate President Ron Richard (R-Joplin) hopes bi-partisan issues will bring Republicans and Nixon together during the Governor’s last year in office.
“I think we need to have a partnership with the executive branch and work toward job creation and getting people back to work,” said Richard.
Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Kehoe voiced a similar sentiment.
“I think jobs and the economy are non-partisan issues,” said Kehoe. “We’d sure like to work together with the Governor to try and move those and other important issues like transportation and two or three of the top items in the state that are non-partisan issues that certainly get a lot easier if you develop a plan with all branches of government.”
Senator Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City). Photo courtesy, Missouri State Senate Communications.
Nixon said this election year will create more attention for his proposed budget.
“The more attention there is on what I think are the smart investments for the state, based on not only my last seven years as Governor but thirty years of public experience, I feel very strongly about things we are doing here. I think they are the right things for our state,” said Nixon.
He said balancing the budget means making some tough decisions.
“This year, with the budget I present, we will have 5,135 fewer employees than the day I was sworn in. When my time is over as Governor, we will have less debt than when I became Governor,” said Nixon. “We have made the choices to balance the budget, to pay down debt, to downsize appropriately in the places we should.”
Governor Jay Nixon (D)
Nixon’s proposal includes $131 million in additional state and federal funding for developmental disabilities. We will hear other key parts of his budget during Nixon’s State of the State address Wednesday at 7 p.m.
His speech will be carried live at www.missourinet.com
