Missouri

February 28, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon today issued the following statement on the appointment of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius to the Department of Health and Human Services:

"I want to congratulate Governor Sebelius on her appointment to the Department of Health and Human Services," said Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon. "For decades this country has failed to bring about meaningful reform to address the rising cost of health care. Kathleen Sebelius is the ideal person to tackle this issue. In Kansas she succeeded by bringing Democrats and Republican together. Now that she has been called upon by our country, she'll take this same approach to Washington. I have tremendous faith in her ability to make the progress millions of Americans so truly need."    » read more »

02/26/2009 -- WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,199,132 grant to assist approximately 574 workers affected by layoffs from automotive industry suppliers across Missouri and in nearby Kansas.

"Today's grant will allow affected Missourians to receive skills assessment, training and job search assistance to transition into new occupations within the local area," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.    » read more »

Gov. Nixon opens new state funds strictly for recovery money to ensure accountability and transparency

February 26, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Governor Jay Nixon's administration today created two new funds within the State Treasury where all federal recovery money will be deposited to ensure accountability and transparency. Gov. Nixon also announced that Missourians can track all federal recovery fund receipts and expenditures on the State's Web site, www.Transform.Mo.Gov.    » read more »

February 25, 2009 -- KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A state tax credit incentive program is helping bring 129 new jobs to downtown Kansas City, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and railway company Kansas City Southern (KCS) announced today. The Governor and KCS officials made the announcement from the company's new Customer Solutions Center and Network Operations Center, which feature state of the market technology to monitor and dispatch rail traffic and serve KCS customers across the nation.    » read more »

February 24, 2009 -- REPUBLIC, Mo. - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon today took part in the official announcement that Fortune 500 company McLane Inc., a national chain store supply company that is a division of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc., will build a new 400,000-square foot warehouse and distribution facility in Republic that will add 400 new jobs to the area.

McLane's investment in Greene County was made possible, in part, through a package of economic development incentives that are being offered, such as Quality Jobs, Community Development Block Grants and other incentives. During the announcement, the Governor stressed how important state tax incentive programs are in luring employers such as McLane to Missouri, and how they in turn lead to job creation.    » read more »

February 23, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon today launched Transform.mo.gov, a centralized Web site where Missourians, non-profit organizations, local governments, businesses and others can submit proposals for projects that will use federal recovery dollars to create Missouri jobs and transform the state's economy for the 21st century. The Web site will serve as the online hub for the Governor's Transform Missouri Initiative, which will oversee the state's planning and coordination to maximize the benefit of the federal recovery package.    » read more »

February 19, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- One day after laying out his vision for using recovery funds to create jobs and transform Missouri's economy, Governor Jay Nixon acted today to take advantage of enhanced federal jobless benefits provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Gov. Nixon signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor that will use federal dollars to give unemployed Missourians an additional $25 weekly as they seek to return to the workforce.    » read more »

Gov. Nixon announces Transform Missouri Initiative to create jobs, invest in Show-Me State's economic future

February 18, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. --- One day after Gov. Jay Nixon kicked off the first economic recovery project in the nation, the Governor today outlined his Transform Missouri Initiative, a program designed to develop Missouri's human capital, enhance our transportation and information infrastructure and spark scientific and technological growth in the state.    » read more »

February 17, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A request by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon for a major disaster declaration for parts of southern Missouri hit by last month's winter storms was granted today by President Barack Obama. The declaration paves the way for counties and local entities affected by the storms to seek millions of dollars in federal funds for disaster-related costs.

"I appreciate the President making this declaration so that our counties and communities can have the help they need in recovering their costs," Gov. Nixon said. "Those local officials responded very quickly to these ice storms, and this declaration will help speed their recovery."    » read more »

February 3, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- There are less than scrupulous contractors out there, who prey on people in difficult circumstances.

Even more incredible are the fake offers of state and federal aid to disaster victims. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) encourage Missouri property owners to beware of scam artists that tend to follow disasters.

"Beware of imposters," said Tom Hall, FEMA's federal coordinating officer for disaster operations in Missouri. "FEMA and SEMA representatives always wear photo IDs."

Missouri residents who suspect price gouging or other fraud can file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office at www.ago.mo.gov, or by calling the Consumer Protection Hotline at (573) 751-3321.    » read more »

January 28, 2009 -- Jefferson City, Mo. -- Missouri Governor Jay Nixon today asked President Barack Obama to approve his request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Missouri as a result of the severe Jan. 26-27 winter storm.

“With almost 100,000 families without power and six fatalities related to the winter storm, my primary concern is the safety of Missourians,” Gov. Nixon said. “I have asked President Obama to approve my request as quickly as possible so Missouri can secure needed federal resources to help counties protect their citizens.”    » read more »

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.    » read more »

January 26, 2009 -- Jefferson City, Mo. -- Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has signed a State of Emergency Executive Order in response to the winter storm that entered Missouri on Jan. 26. The executive order activates the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan, which opens the State Emergency Operations Center and allows state agencies to assist local jurisdictions with their emergency protective actions.

“Many parts of Missouri have been impacted by this severe winter storm, which has caused treacherous road conditions and has the potential for causing power outages,” Gov. Nixon said. “My primary concern is the safety of Missourians and this executive order makes state agency resources available to help communities respond to the winter storms.”    » read more »

Gov. Jay Nixon announces historic agreement with Missouri’s two-year, public institutions during visit to the Springfield campus of Missouri State University

January 23, 2009 -- Missouri Governor Jay Nixon announces historic agreement with Missouri’s two-year, public institutions during visit to the Springfield campus of Missouri State University.

Springfield, Mo. -- Gov. Jay Nixon today visited the Springfield campus of Missouri State University to announce a historic agreement with Missouri’s two-year, public institutions that will protect students from tuition increases next year and provide stable funding for vocational-training programs in Fiscal Year 2010.    » read more »

January 21, 2009 -- Columbia, Mo. -- Missouri Governor Jay Nixon today is visiting three public universities to announce a historic budget agreement for fiscal year 2010 that will protect Missouri students from tuition increases and ensure that the state’s higher education institutions receive the stable funding they need. While students in many other states likely will see double-digit tuition increases next year because of the national economic crisis, this agreement ensures that Missourians will have access to affordable educational and training programs necessary to succeed in the jobs of the future.    » read more »