Jay Nixon in 2013 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Education:
Increase education funding by $150 million
We now have a unique opportunity to build a better future for our children. We must seize it. And nothing will have a greater impact on our children's future than the commitment we make now to their education.
So in my budget, we increase funding for education. And we increase it by $150 million.- That's $17 million more for early childhood education.
- That's $34 million more for higher education;
- And that's $100 million more for our K-12 classrooms
Our children are our first priority. They are Missouri's future. Of course, with increased funding, come higher expectations. We expect better test scores, better graduation rates, more college degrees and more
Missourians ready to compete for the best jobs in a global economy. We've all got to do better, and that means everybody: students and teachers; parents and principals; coaches and college presidents. Increased funding means increased accountability.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Missouri Legislature
Jan 28, 2013
On Education:
A+ scholarships: community college for every high schooler
My budget includes more than $75 million for our Access and Bright Flight scholarships. And it increases funding for our A+ scholarships, which cover tuition and fees at all our public community colleges.
To qualify for an A+ scholarship, high school students must keep their grades up, have excellent attendance, and stay out of trouble.Since I've been Governor, we've expanded the A+ program to 150 more schools.
But there are still schools that aren't part of the A+ program, so their students can't even apply for A+ scholarships.
That's unfair to these kids, and we're going to fix it.
This is the year we will expand our A+ scholarship program to every public high school in the state, so that every qualified student in this state has the opportunity to go to community college--tuition free.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Missouri Legislature
Jan 28, 2013
On Government Reform:
Re-institute strict campaign contribution limits
The single most destructive force to our system is the unlimited sums of money pouring into the campaign accounts of candidates seeking public office. We must institute--we must re-institute--strict campaign contribution limits.
Each time a wealthy individual or business or special interest sends a check for $20,000 or $100,000 to a candidate, the public's trust erodes a little bit more. I've led the fight for campaign contribution limits for many years. As Attorney General,
I stood before the U.S. Supreme Court and successfully argued in support of Missouri's contribution limits. And as Governor, I stood before you every year and made the case for them.
This year, if the Legislature does not send a campaign contribution
limit bill to my desk, I will do everything in my power to get it on the ballot and make sure it passes. The people of Missouri have voiced their opinion on this matter already at the ballot box and their support for contribution limits was overwhelming.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Missouri Legislature
Jan 28, 2013
On Health Care:
$10M for more services in community mental health centers
In recent years we have seen the tragic consequences when people with serious mental illness don't get the help they need. Right now, many people with severe mental illness only get treatment when they reach a crisis point. That's too late.
My budget includes $10 million to help those with mental illness get timely, effective treatment in their own communities. That money will be used to:- Provide more services in our community mental health centers;
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Increase mental health first-aid training for professionals so they can recognize the early warning signs of mental illness.
- Train law enforcement in mental health crisis-intervention;
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And teach families how to care for loved ones who suffer from severe mental illness.
We must do everything in our power to get folks the treatment they need, before it's too late.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Missouri Legislature
Jan 28, 2013
Page last updated: Dec 05, 2018