Nixon signs research grant, education bills

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Jay Nixon has signed into law bills allowing parents to be charged fees for an education program and allowing larger grants for spinal cord research.

Currently, the Parents as Teachers program is free. The fees would help sustain the program, which has been cut deeply in the state budget that takes effect next week. The legislation also gives school districts more budget flexibility in coping with funding shortfalls.

Nixon also signed a bill increasing maximum grants for spinal cord research from $50,000 to $250,000.

The grants are awarded by the University of Missouri-Columbia. They are funded by a $2 court fee charged on every criminal or infraction case.