Budget and Legislative Priorities Year 2013
To the General Assembly and the people of Missouri:
Over the past three years, we have worked together to create jobs, grow our economy and keep our fiscal house in order. Our hard work is paying off.
The unemployment rate is at its lowest point in three years. We continue to sell more Missouri-made goods around the world, supporting thousands of jobs here at home. Our investment in worker training is enhancing the skills of tens of thousands of people. And groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are pointing to Missouri as a top state for business growth and development.
None of that would have been possible without our laser-like focus on fiscal discipline. Together, we have balanced the budget for the past three years, and we have held the line on taxes. As a result of our relentless fiscal discipline, Missouri is one of only a few states to hold a spotless AAA credit rating from all three ratings firms.
As we prepare for the Fiscal Year 2013 budget, our top priorities will continue to be creating jobs for Missourians, growing our economy and keeping our fiscal house in order. While we project continued improvement in state revenues, we must remain vigilant about fiscal discipline and sound management. We will continue to operate a smarter, smaller and more efficient state government. Under the budget I present this year, the state workforce will be smaller than at any time since 1997. In Fiscal Year 2013, we must work together to keep our economy growing by:
- Implementing Missouri Works: This is our comprehensive strategy to grow automotive supplier jobs in Missouri; sell more Missouri-made goods overseas; train more workers for high-tech careers; hire more veterans; jumpstart innovation in science and technology; target high-growth industries; and create jobs in rural communities;
- Making government more efficient: We will continue to use technology to enhance services and cut costs, streamline operations, and make government smarter and smaller;
- Investing in education: We will provide record funding for K-12 education and support our state scholarship programs, including Access Missouri, Bright Flight and A+;
- Helping communities recover from natural disasters; and
- Balancing the budget while holding the line on taxes.
When the people of Missouri work together, we can accomplish anything. As we have each of the past three years, I look forward to working with you to create jobs, maintain fiscal discipline and grow our economy. Together, we will keep Missouri moving forward.
Sincerely,
Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon
Governor
