By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – In his first full day in office, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has signed three executive orders aimed at shoring up the state's economy.
The first order creates a task force charged with finding ways to preserve and create jobs in the state's automotive industry.
The second creates a council that would examine how to make the most out of an economic stimulus package expected from incoming President Barack Obama.
And the third directs two state agencies to create a pool of funds for small business loans.
"We are putting a framework in place to help create new jobs and turn this economy around, but this is only the beginning of the process," Nixon said.
The executive orders are part of Nixon's Show-me JOBS initiative, which also includes tax breaks for worker training and extending former Governor Matt Blunt's Quality Jobs program.