Tagged: Jay Nixon

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has hired former Missouri State University president Mike Nietzel as a senior policy adviser.

The hiring was announced Tuesday. Nixon's office tells The Associated Press that Nietzel will have a salary of $100,000 in the new, full-time position.

Nietzel retired as Missouri State president in 2010 after five years leading the Springfield school. He has advised Nixon on education issues and work force readiness since April 2010.

Nixon is also making changes in his communications office.

Durbin opposes short-term extension of debt-ceiling

Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Ill. has announced that he wants to extend the debt ceiling until after the 2012 election. He says Republican House Speaker John Boehner’s plan to raise the ceiling as budget cuts are made would do nothing to help the economy, and won’t keep credit agencies from downgrading the nation’s debt. Rather, he says it would lead to higher interest rates.

 New conservative ad campaign targets Mo. Sen. McCaskill, among others

Mo. Gov. Jay Nixon is asking President Barack Obama to issue a major disaster declaration for 23 northern counties hit by severe storms and flooding along the Missouri River. He announced the request Monday.

The disaster request would cover events since June 1. If approved, it would allow government aid to flow to families and public agencies that have suffered losses. The counties included in the request are: