Saying Missouri needs to invest in human capital, gubernatorial candidate Jay Nixon touted education and the economy during a campaign stop and fundraiser Friday.

The current state attorney general spoke before a crowd of about 100 area Democrats at the Lampo Building in Neosho.

In a speech before party faithful, Nixon outlined his “Missouri Promise” program, an educational plan that would allow more residents in the state to attend state colleges and universities tuition free.

Nixon said his plan would expand the current A-plus program, which offers two years of college tuition-free to eligible students, and expand it to four years. Doing this, he said, would ensure that college graduates do not start out several thousands of dollars in debt.

“When kids graduate, do you know what their biggest graduation gift is? Debt,” Nixon said. “[The program] would cost $61 million. In St. Louis, they just gave a $95 million tax credit for one guy, and it hasn’t created a single job. Which would you rather have: $95 million for one guy or $61 million for many? For economic development to work best, you’ve got to invest in human capital.”

The A-plus program currently allows Missouri high school students who meet performance requirements to attend a community college or technical school tuition-free. Under Nixon’s plan, the students would be granted a tuition waiver to finish their education, provided they keep their grades up and perform 50 hours of community service each year.

In speaking on the state of the economy, Nixon also criticized his opponent, U.S. Congressman Kenny Hulshof, whom he said was in St. Louis Friday attending a $25,000 a plate GOP fundraiser with President George W. Bush.

“The state of Missouri has lost more jobs in the last year than all eight states that touch us combined,” Nixon said. “My opponent says the economy is doing real good. That’s how they define ‘real good.’ ”

Nixon also spoke about the current energy crunch, saying that in addition to drilling for oil, America should turn its attention to energy conservation and alternative sources of energy, such as wind and solar.

During his speech, Nixon suggested combining two state programs, energy assistance and weatherization, into one. The first phase, energy assistance, would continue to provide financial help to households that aren’t able to pay their utility bills. The second phase would follow up this payment by taking efforts to make the home more energy efficient, thereby lowering utility bills.

Nixon said wind power currently has drawbacks, as parts are not available in the United States and are on a one and a half year backorder. He said he would work to bring parts manufacturing for wind turbines to Missouri.

Nixon also discussed plans to revive Missouri’s ailing automobile industry, which has seen numerous job cuts and plant closures recently. He said the state could become a leading manufacturer of flex fuel and electric cars.

“We need to invest in human capital and get the workers here,” he said. “This economy wasn’t built on $4 a gallon gas or $4 a gallon diesel. We need to look at what we can do here to get more jobs.”

Nixon also announced plans to return Medicaid funds slashed by Gov. Matt Blunt, cuts the candidate said resulted in the removal of 150,000 needy children from the Medicaid program.
“The number of kids without health insurance has risen 44 percent in the last four years,” he said.
“I ask you: What did a 3-year-old do wrong?”

Nixon said despite gloomy economic news, he was optimistic about the state’s future.

“I wouldn’t be running as the chief executive of your company if I didn’t believe that the best days are in front of us, not behind us,” he said.

Nixon grew up in De Soto, Mo., a town of about 5,000 people. His mother, Betty Willson Nixon, served on the town’s school board while his father, Jerry, was a city councilman and town mayor.
A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law, Nixon has served as attorney general since 1992. He and his wife, Georganne, have two sons, Jeremiah and Will.