Candidate questionnaire: Jay Nixon

NAME: Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon

AGE: 56

PLACE OF BIRTH: De Soto, Missouri

SPOUSE, CHILDREN'S NAMES:

Wife Georganne

Sons Jeremiah and Willson

EDUCATION:

B.A., University of Columbia-Missouri

J.D., University of Columbia-Missouri

OCCUPATION: Governor

EMPLOYER: State of Missouri

BUSINESSES OWNED, ALL OR PART: N/A

PUBLIC OFFICES HELD OR SOUGHT; GIVE DATES:

Missouri State Senate, Jefferson County, 1986-1992; Missouri Attorney General, 1992-2008; Missouri Governor, 2008-present

WEBSITE: www.jaynixon.com

WHAT CAN THE GOVERNOR DO TO ATTRACT MORE JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO MISSOURI?

First, continue to do what I've done every year as Governor: balance the budget, hold the line on taxes, and protect our AAA credit rating. With that commitment to fiscal discipline, we negotiated record investments from Ford and GM, brought our unemployment rate to a four-year low, and provided record funding for K-12 education and worker training. By balancing the budget and fostering a positive business climate, we'll keep bringing good jobs to Missouri.

DOES THE STATE NEED MORE REFORM OF ITS TAX CREDIT SYSTEM?

Yes. Effective tax credits help create jobs, strengthen communities and move our economy forward. But, in recent years, tax credit spending in Missouri has exploded. That's why I fought to reform our tax credit system and recently reconvened my Bipartisan Tax Credit Review Commission to make sure Missouri taxpayers get the best possible return on investment from these programs. I will continue to work with Democrats and Republicans to make tax credit reform a priority.

SHOULD THE LEGISLATURE TAKE INITIATIVE TO ESTABLISH A USE TAX FOR VEHICLE PURCHASES, OR SHOULD THE DECISION BE LEFT TO COUNTIES?

I vetoed legislation earlier this year that would have retroactively imposed a tax on more than 100,000 Missourians without a vote of the people. I firmly believe that Missourians must have the right to vote on tax increases. In fact, Missourians have approved a local use tax in more than 40 counties and 90 communities across the state. I will continue to defend the right of Missourians to vote on tax issues.

MOVING FORWARD, HOW DO WE BEST BALANCE THE STATE BUDGET IN COMING YEARS?

As Governor, I brought Democrats and Republicans together to balance the budget every year, hold the line on taxes, and protect our AAA credit rating. Instead of growing government, we made it smaller and more efficient – cutting $1.8 billion from the budget, reducing the state workforce by 4,300 positions, and eliminating dozens of outdated boards and commissions. I will continue to streamline government further and treat every taxpayer dollar as if it's our own.

CLOSING REMARKS:

While Washington was stuck in partisan gridlock, here in Missouri we did things differently – bringing Democrats and Republicans together to tackle the tough challenges and get things done. We balanced the budget every year, cut taxes on small businesses and negotiated record investments from Ford and GM. As a result, unemployment is at a four-year low and exports of Missouri-made products are at record highs. By bringing people together, we'll keep moving Missouri forward.