Missouri Governor Jay Nixon (D) will lay out his proposed budget tonight (Monday) when he delivers his annual State of the State Address.
The Governor’s address will include his call for expanding Medicaid coverage, which GOP leaders in both chambers have already said won’t happen. He will also call for more education funding from Kindergarten through college – that would mark an about-face for Higher Education, which has undergone budget cuts for the past three years, including a $9 million cut last year. Nixon is also expected to ask lawmakers to lengthen the state's school year and to spend money on mental health training as a means of improving school safety.
“While we have a number of issues around violence in our country, the two significant public events, the one in Aurora, Colorado, and the other in Newtown (Connecticut), one connector between them was significant mental health issues,” Nixon said.
The Governor spoke out last month against legislation in the House that would allow teachers and administrators who have conceal-carry permits to bring their guns with them to school.
St. Louis Public Radio will carry Governor Nixon's State of the State Address live, followed by the Republican Response, which will be given by House Speaker Tim Jones (R, Eureka). Coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. We also encourage you to join our live chat here.
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