gov. jay nixon

Failing school districts could receive aid faster thanks to legislation

Associated Press — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:01:22 +0000

Missouri lawmakers have given final approval to legislation that could allow quicker state intervention in failing school districts.

Mo. lawmakers vote to repeal renters tax break

Person: Associated Press — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:13:24 +0000

More than 100,000 low-income seniors and disabled residents who live in rental housing could lose a tax break under a bill given final approval by Missouri lawmakers.

The bill passed Thursday would eliminate a tax break of up to $750 annually for individuals and redirect the nearly $57 million of savings to existing state programs.

House, Senate Negotiators Approve Final Version Of FY2014 Mo. Budget

Marshall Griffin — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:51:44 +0000

Missouri House and Senate budget negotiators have crafted a final version of next year's state budget.

The nearly $25 billion spending plan includes a $66 million increase for K-12 schools, and a $25 million hike for state universities and community colleges. It still does not include the Medicaid expansion proposed by Governor Jay Nixon (D), which disappointed committee member and State Senator Kiki Curls (D, Kansas City).

"There are hundreds of thousands of working Missourians that don’t have health care, and I think it was a prime opportunity for us to be ab

Nixon touts nonprofit online university in new ad

Associated Press — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:54:54 +0000

A nonprofit virtual college is getting another vote of confidence from Missouri's chief executive.
Gov. Jay Nixon touts Western Governors University in a new television and radio ad airing in Columbia, St. Louis and other major media markets.

The online university was formed in 1997 by governors of states in the western U.S. It arrives in Missouri this year as Nixon and other officials try to increase college completion rates and boost Missouri's graduation rate.
Western Governors University targets working adults and allows students to complete courses at their own pace.

Mo. House votes to look at Medicaid expansion next year

Associated Press — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:42:41 +0000

After declining to expand Medicaid coverage this year, the Missouri House has passed a bill that would create a committee to study the issue next year.

The House passed the measure 133-27 yesterday. It would create a joint committee of House and Senate members to look at ways to "transform" the state's Medicaid program. The committee would begin at the end of the current session until the 2015 session's start in January.

Gov. Nixon remains opposed to tax legislation

Person: Associated Press — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:48:39 +0000

Gov. Jay Nixon says he remains opposed to a bill that would raise the state sales tax while cutting income taxes for individuals and businesses.

Nixon released a statement Thursday saying that a sales tax increase would shift the tax burden to seniors and veterans on fixed incomes. He said it "is not the right approach to growing our economy or creating jobs."

His reaction comes after the House passed a bill Wednesday that would gradually cut the individual income tax by two-thirds of a percentage point over five years while also reducing business taxes.

Career Center closure in Moberly could give unemployed more challenges

Russel Chapin — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 22:23:56 +0000

Clients of the Career Center in Moberly, Mo. may have to travel as far as Columbia to meet their unemployment needs if the center closes as scheduled later this month.

New rail transfer facility helps businesses in Washington, Mo.

Person: Associated Press — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:42:06 +0000

Gov. Jay Nixon says a new rail transfer facility in eastern Missouri has already helped local employers expand.

Nixon was in Washington, Mo., on Monday to help dedicate the $4.2 million rail transfer project.

Nixon says the project helped two local businesses expand their operations and create about 330 jobs. He was joined at the event by officials from those businesses — CG Power Systems and Canam Steel.

Columbia remembers Tom Clements

Harum Helmy — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 22:20:39 +0000

Friends and family gathered in Woodcrest Chapel on Friday to honor the life of Tom Clements, the Colorado Department of Corrections executive director who was killed March 19.

Clements lived in Columbia for 27 years before moving to Colorado in 2011. He and his family attended Woodcrest for 15 of those years. Clements worked at the Missouri Department of Corrections for about three decades, working his way up from probation officer to director of the Division of Adult Institutions.

Mo. lawmakers send legislation to governor to tax out of state vehicles

Person: Marshall Griffin — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 21:41:12 +0000

Missouri lawmakers have sent legislation to Gov. Jay Nixon that would levy local sales taxes on vehicles purchased in other states with voters’ approval. The Governor vetoed a similar bill last year because it did not give local voters a say in whether they wanted such a tax.