2015 National Council of La Raza Annual Conference

Thank you for this opportunity to join you today, and for everything you do on behalf of our growing and valued Hispanic community here in Missouri and across the nation.

As Governor of Missouri, I'm so honored to welcome the National Council of La Raza here to our great state. I hope to see many of you back in October when -- God-willing -- we host a Show-Me Series between the Cardinals and the Royals.

Missouri is a place where great rivers converge and cultures intersect, encompassing many regions and embracing different perspectives. It's a place of rich diversity... and we know that our state is stronger because of this diversity, not in spite of it.

And what has always bound us together as Missourians and as Americans are Faith, Family, and the shared belief that everyone deserves a fair shot at a good life.

As Governor -- I've worked to translate these ideals into action and make real, tangible progress for the citizens of our state.... reaching across the aisle to cultivate an economy that's as inclusive as it is competitive.

Fiscal discipline is a value in Missouri -- so we balanced our budget every year without raising taxes or slashing funding for vital services. This protected Missouri's rare Triple-Triple credit rating from all three rating agencies.

Working together -- we brought Missouri's auto industry back from the brink. In fact, the Ford plant right here in Kansas City now churns out more vehicles than any other Ford plant in the world.

From F-150s and F-18s...to corn and cattle, Missouri-made products are in high demand around the globe. 2012 and 2014 were the two best years on record for Missouri export sales.

As our economy surges ahead -- we've made sure not to leave folks behind... expanding access to community-based care for Missourians with mental illness and developmental disabilities. The innovative programs we've implemented in this area continue to change lives.

And when recent events exposed failings that undermined public confidence in our judicial system -- we took action. Just this week, I signed the most sweeping municipal court reform bill in Missouri history. This landmark legislation reins in the abusive practices we've seen in too many municipal courts, and ensures every citizen receives due process and equal protection under the law.

That means no more modern-day debtors' prisons for things like broken tail lights; it means courts will have to consider people's ability to pay; and it means cops can go back to being cops -- building relationships with their communities, keeping criminals off the streets, and protecting the public.

This is strong, enforceable legislation that will change all Missouri communities for the better.

But we all know that the most important priority that will determine the long-term strength and prosperity of our state is education. I often say that public education is the best economic development tool there is. That's why:

* We expanded access to preschool, so that more children start kindergarten ready to learn;
* We raised academic standards, and provided record funding for K-12 classrooms;
* We created new pathways to help at-risk students stay in-school and on track to graduation;
* And we held down tuition increases at our public universities to the lowest level in the nation. That's right, Missouri is number one in the nation for keeping a lid on college costs.

Today, test scores are up, graduation rates are up, and our economy is moving forward.

I'm proud of the work we've done bringing people together to build a brighter future for our state.

But that doesn't mean we don't have disagreements -- and when we do, I have never hesitated to stand up for Missouri families and the values we all share.

For example, when the legislature passed a bill to require a photo-ID at the polls, I vetoed it.... because I believe in making it easier for people to vote, not harder;

When they passed a bill... not one time but twice.... to make it easier for corporations to discriminate against and fire workers on the basis of their race or ethnicity, I vetoed it not once but twice. because hardworking Missourians need more rights in the workplace, not fewer.

And that brings me to the bill I want to talk about today.

I spoke earlier about our commitment to public education, and the shared obligation we have to keep the doors of opportunity open to every student.

One of the important ways we fulfill that responsibility here in Missouri is through the A-Plus program.

A+ scholarships cover the cost of tuition for two years at public community colleges for students who meet academic achievement, community service and conduct requirements.

To be eligible, students have to keep their grades up....stay in school.... and spend at least 50 hours tutoring or mentoring their peers.

So, under Missouri's A-Plus program, if you're a good kid and you make good grades -- you go to community college for free.

When I took office, the A+ program was only offered at about half of the public high schools in the state. Today, it's available statewide -- because we want every Missouri student who works hard to have this opportunity.

Since 2009, more than 70,000 A+ scholarships have been awarded to Missouri students, putting them on a path to financial independence and rewarding careers.

More students going to college means a brighter future for them and their families, and a stronger economy for everyone -- because a highly-skilled workforce attracts high-paying jobs. It's that simple.

But this year, the Missouri legislature passed a bill to revoke A-plus scholarships from students on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (or DACA).

These DACA students have now lived in Missouri for at least eight years and have met every standard for an A-Plus scholarship. They have attended a public Missouri high school for at least three years. They have earned at least a 2.5 GPA. They have maintained a 95 percent attendance rate. They have volunteered in their communities or tutored other students. And they have done so while overcoming daunting obstacles.

Senate Bill 224, passed by the Missouri General Assembly this past session, would prohibit these students from receiving A-plus scholarships that they've earned.

These students came to the U.S. as children. They arrived as young dependents -- brought here by an adult.

The federal government says they're lawfully present -- and our state Department of Higher Education has determined them to be eligible for these scholarships.

As students, they've excelled -- working hard, playing by the rules, and giving back to their communities.

Among them could be the developer of the next groundbreaking technology.... the inventor of the next lifesaving medical cure.... the next great entrepreneur.

All they ask is an equal opportunity to unlock their god-given potential through education.

That's what the American Dream is all about.

Senate Bill 224 flies in the face of what we believe as Americans -- and everything we know about the transformative power of education.

It does not value hard work.

It does not value personal responsibility.

Senate Bill 224 should not and it is my fervent hope that it will not become law and that is why this morning, I vetoed it.

Let this be a clarion call from the heartland... that we believe in an America where faith compels us to do unto others what we expect done unto us.

Where we live up to our shared responsibility to leave this nation better than we found it.

Where education and hard work are rewarded.

And where all children have an opportunity to achieve their dreams.

That's the America I believe in … that's the America we're continuing to build together.

Thank you.

God Bless you.

And may God Bless Missouri.

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