Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon will deliver his annual State of the State address Tuesday night, during which he'll unveil his proposed budget for fiscal year 2015.
The governor was expected to announce funding increases for both K-12 schools and higher education, along with a warning to House and Senate GOP leaders not to cut taxes. Nixon vetoed last year's tax cut bill (HB 253) and successfully fought off an attempted veto override last fall. The Democratic governor is also expected to make another pitch for expanding Medicaid.
"The University of Missouri estimates this will generate an additional 24,000 jobs," Nixon said during his 2013 State of the State Address. "We're talking about good jobs for nurses, doctors, pharmacists, therapists, and medical technicians…strengthening Medicaid will strengthen our economy."
Republicans in the House and Senate, however, shot down several attempts last year to expand Medicaid. The GOP response will be delivered by House Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka, and will likely include calls for cutting taxes, restoring caps on medical malpractice damages, and making Missouri a "right-to-work" state.
The State of the State address will be broadcast live Tuesday at 7 p.m. on St. Louis Public Radio and the Beacon, 90.7 FM, and will be immediately followed by the Republican response. Both will also be streamed live.
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