Gov. Jay Nixon: We're Moving Forward, But We Can't Stop Now

Statement

Speaking in front of hundreds of supporters at his Election Night party in Springfield, Gov. Jay Nixon tonight spoke about his record of bringing Democrats and Republicans together to move Missouri forward.

Specifically, the Governor highlighted his bi-partisan efforts to balance the state budget without raising taxes, revive the state's auto industry, protect the state's perfect AAA credit and to make college more affordable for thousands of Missouri families.

The following excerpts are from the Governor's prepared remarks:

"Here in Missouri, We're tackling our challenges head-on.

We're bringing people together.

And we're not letting politics get in the way of doing what's right.

No, we're doing things differently here in Missouri, and its working.

Look around the country.

Other states have seen their Capitols nearly shut down because of partisanship and the inability to come together.

Washington D.C. is mired in gridlock. Lots of fighting and finger-pointing.

Folks too busy yelling at each other to recognize where common ground may exist.

We've shown that we're better than that here in Missouri.

Instead of yelling at each other, we're working with each other.

We're not pointing fingers. We're extending hands.

Together, we're showing that there's a lot more that unites Missourians than divides us.

Together, we're showing that the folks from our big cities and folks from our small rural towns can come together.

Together, we're showing that there are issues where folks from different sides of the aisle can find common ground …

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Together, we are coming out of this national recession -- and we're coming out stronger.

Since January of 2009, Missouri's unemployment rate has dropped more dramatically than every state in the nation but two.

And the state's unemployment rate is now well below the national average.

We have more work to do, but we're moving forward.

Together, we expanded our A-plus scholarship program so that an additional 65,000 Missouri high school students can earn a degree at one of our community colleges and enter the workforce debt-free.

Working together, we worked with our college presidents to freeze tuition for two years. That's unprecedented.

And now Missouri leads the nation in holding down the cost of college tuition.

We're moving forward. But we can't stop now …

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Friends, as I stand here today, I can say without doubt that I am more optimistic than ever before about the future of our state.

When I see an entrepreneur put their savings on the line to start up a new businesses.

When I shake the hand of a young person who had just become her family's first college graduate.

When I see folks from all faiths and all walks of life rallying together after a devastating flood or tornado.

It reinforces my firmly held belief that Missourians are the hardest-working, most resilient, most caring people on God's green earth.

And by bringing folks together, we are moving our state forward.

But we cannot stop now.

Stand with me this November and I'll continue to give you everything I've got to make Missouri the best place in America to live, work and raise a family.

Thank you. God bless."

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