By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – Missouri's Democratic candidate for governor says if he's elected in November he'll create more college scholarships for middle class students.
Attorney General Jay Nixon said Monday he wants to expand Missouri's A plus scholarship program to make more students eligible. He also wants the state to pay tuition for students to transfer from two-year programs to four-year state universities.
The Democrat said a tax increase will not be necessary, and he expects a friendly reception in the Republican legislature.
"It will have broad-based bipartisan support, and I fully expect a version very close to what we announced today to make it to my desk next year," Nixon said.
To get the Missouri Promise scholarship as Nixon calls it, students would have to graduate with at least a B average from a community college.
They would also have to perform 50 hours a year of community service and avoid disciplinary problems.