Jay Nixon in 2014 Governor's State of the State speeches

On Civil Rights: Partnership for Hope: for Missourians with disabilities

We've shown that we can work together to create better opportunities for all Missourians. Just look at what we're doing--together--to serve Missourians with disabilities and mental illness. In 2010, we passed landmark legislation to require insurance companies to cover the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders--and because of this law, 1.6 million Missourians have coverage for these proven treatments.

Our Partnership for Hope continues to be a tremendous and life-changing success for thousands of Missourians with developmental disabilities. My budget expands this vital program to even more Missourians, in more communities across the state. For years, thousands of Missourians with developmental disabilities were forced to wait months- often years--to get the in-home Medicaid services they needed. And now I'm proud to report, this year that waiting list will no longer exist. Our friends and neighbors will now get the life-changing services they need, when they need them.

Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Missouri legislature Jan 21, 2014

On Local Issues: Government's role is to help rebuild disasters like Joplin

We were all inspired by how Joplin--even in its darkest hour--rallied behind its students and its schools. Just this month, 1,400 students in Joplin walked in to three brand new schools, marking another milestone in a remarkable recovery [from the 2011 catastrophic tornado].

And it's easy to get caught up in the political back and forth of the day. Or the controversy of the hour. Or the latest tweet. But we must be bigger than that, because the work we do here is very, very real. You better believe it's real to the family in Joplin who lost everything and could have moved away and started anew--but they chose to stay right there to rebuild the town they love.

And their state government has been with them every step of the way-- because that's what we do. That's why we serve. We're here to make a difference for those who work hard and need a hand--often times for people we'll never meet.

Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Missouri legislature Jan 21, 2014

On Principles & Values: Our legacy is measured by lasting impact on our communities

One year ago, many of us gathered in St. Louis to mourn the loss of an icon--Missouri's adopted son, Stan Musial. He was known to say, "Every day you put this jersey on, it's a privilege."

The same can be said for all of us in this room. Every day when you put that pin on your lapel, and enter these doors to do the people's business, it's a privilege. And with that privilege comes responsibility. It's easy to get caught up in the controversy of the hour. Or the latest tweet. But we must be bigger than that, because the work we do here is very, very real [to Missourians]. And their state government has been with them every step of the way -because that's what we do. That's why we serve. We're here to make a difference for those who work hard and need a hand--often times for people we'll never meet. Because the legacy we leave will not be measured by votes on Election Day or back-slaps in these hallways--it will be measured by the lasting impact we have on the communities we serve.

Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Missouri legislature Jan 21, 2014

The above quotations are from 2014 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts from 2014 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts by Jay Nixon. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org! Click for details -- or send donations to: 1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140 E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org (We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Dec 07, 2018