Missouri Governor Nixon: "Protecting And Creating Jobs Must Be Our Top Priority"

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Gov. Nixon proposes urgent job-creating legislation in first State of State Address

January 27, 2009 -- Jefferson City, Mo. -- In his first State of the State Address this evening, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon outlined a bold agenda to turn Missouri's economy around and called on the General Assembly to pass job-creating legislation before its March break.

In his remarks, Gov. Nixon said:

“The national economic meltdown is creating serious challenges for Missouri families. Jobs are being lost. Homes are being foreclosed. Retirements are being delayed. And everyone is concerned about what the future will bring.

“Jobs are the lifeblood of our economy. When jobs are lost and businesses shut down, communities suffer, and people start losing hope. To start turning this economy around, we must take immediate action.

“Protecting and creating jobs must be our top priority. Tonight, I repeat my request: Send me an emergency jobs plan before the March break. I’ll sign a comprehensive, fiscally sound package. And together, we’ll start getting Missourians back to work.”

Gov. Nixon’s speech focused on five key priorities for his first year in office:

* Creating jobs and getting Missourians back to work

The Governor outlined his goals of expanding the state’s Quality Jobs Program and establishing a direct loan program for small businesses.

* Balancing the state’s budget during these difficult economic times

The Governor has proposed a balanced budget by focusing on the key priorities of creating jobs and turning the economy around and by making state government smaller, more efficient and more responsive.

* Ensuring that Missourians have access to job-training and re-training programs, including affordable college degrees

The Governor’s budget includes a 38 percent increase for certain job-training programs and implements the first steps of his Missouri Promise program, which will provide a pathway to a four-year degree for Missouri students at a state college or university.

* Providing quality, affordable health care for Missouri workers and children

The Governor’s budget reduces the number of uninsured Missourians, beginning with 40,000 additional workers and 20,000 children.

* And ensuring openness and transparency in state government

The Governor has begun the process of issuing competitive bids for the state’s motor vehicle license offices, ending the old system of political patronage. He also called on the General Assembly to pass strict campaign contribution limits.

The full text of the Governor’s speech is available online at:

http://governor.mo.gov/newsroom/speeches/2009/2009_Missouri_State_of_the...

During the speech, Gov. Nixon recognized five regular Missourians for their personal and professional accomplishments:

Staff Sergeant William Boyd, of Centertown. Sergeant Boyd deployed to Iraq with the Missouri National Guard in late 2004. In February 2005, he was riding in a convoy when his vehicle hit a hole left by a roadside bomb. The vehicle overturned several times, breaking two bones in Sergeant Boyd’s left leg. Sergeant Boyd underwent two surgeries in Iraq and a third in Germany, where they inserted a metal rod into his leg. Sergeant Boyd was then flown back to Missouri for extensive physical therapy. His doctors told him he would remain in therapy for the duration of his orders – but he longed to rejoin his unit and complete their mission in Iraq.

He asked the doctors if he could return to Iraq if he made a full recovery. Initially, the doctors said no. But Sergeant Boyd resolved to change their minds. In addition to daily work with a therapist, Sergeant Boyd began doing extra therapy on his own to strengthen his leg and regain momentum. By June, Sergeant Boyd was running again, and the doctors gave their approval for him to return to duty. Sergeant Boyd flew back to Iraq and served with his unit the end of their deployment. Sergeant Boyd received the distinction of the Purple Heart for his injuries in Iraq and the Army Commendation Medal for returning to Iraq with his unit.

Glenn Cromley, of Sedalia. Mr. Cromley, 61, has worked at the Sheltered Workshop in Sedalia since it opened in 1966. Over the years, Mr. Cromley has worked on a variety of products at the workshop, and he currently assists with the production and distribution of first aid kits for a major outdoor supply retailer. A Missouri native, Mr. Cromley was joined at the speech by his mother, Sue, and his manager, Roger Garlich.

Patrick Davis, of Ferguson. Mr. Davis, 39, worked at the Ford production facility in Hazelwood for 14 years. When the plant closed in 2006, Mr. Davis lost his job, but he didn’t wait long to find new work. After passing several technical exams, Mr. Davis enrolled in a worker re-training program at Florissant Valley Community College in St. Louis. The program prepared Mr. Davis for a new position as an electrical worker on the F-18 fighter project at Boeing in St. Louis.

The Brent family, of St. Louis. Marcus and Rachelle Brent worked all their lives to send their daughter, Keirstin, to college. But just weeks ago, both Marcus and Rachelle lost their jobs because of the national economic crisis. After losing their jobs, Marcus and Rachelle were unsure how they would continue to afford Keirstin’s education, but as a family, they decided that her college degree must come first. Keirstin, 19, is a freshman at Harris Stowe State University.

Jennifer Long, of Pleasant Valley. Ms. Long, 23, is a Missouri native, and she always dreamed of earning a four-year degree. She completed her first two years of student at Longview Community College in Kansas City under Missouri’s A+ Schools Program. Her goal was to finish her degree at one of Missouri’s public colleges or universities, but she couldn’t afford the cost of tuition. Because her family lives near the Kansas border, she was eligible for in-state tuition at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan. The school offers a flat tuition rate that is less expensive than many Missouri institutions.

Source: Missouri Governor