Missouri Governor Jay Nixon will lay out his priorities Monday night when he delivers his annual State of the State Address before the General Assembly. Lawmakers are hoping that the governor will address areas specific to their constituents’ needs.
Democratic Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal of St. Louis County hopes Nixon’s proposed budget will not overlook the needs of women and minority small business owners.
“For the last 16 years, we have not had a disparity study, so there are many minority and women-owned businesses that are out there right now who are not getting the benefit of being able to contract with the state,” Chappelle-Nadal said.
She also commended the Governor for his pursuit of Medicaid expansion. Some Republican lawmakers, meanwhile, say they’ll carefully examine any budget cuts the Governor may propose, in light of last week’s revelation that the Missouri Highway Patrol spent more than $5.5 million on a new airplane to transport the Governor and other elected officials around the state.
KCUR will carry the Missouri Governor’s State of the State Address tonight, followed by the Republican Response. Coverage begins Monday night at 7 p.m.