By Bill Raack, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Missouri Governor-elect Jay Nixon unveiled his economic stimulus plan today.
Nixon's six-point plan includes low-interest loans to small businesses, job training tax incentives and the establishment of an auto manufacturing task force. Nixon says the economic crisis demands that he and other state officials take action quickly.
"I don't know how much more down it might go but I do know that as of noon on January 12 my number one priority's going to be providing opportunities for Missourians to get to work and I think that's a shared principle between me and the legislative leaders," Nixon said.
He says the auto manufacturing task force is necessary to be ready for the rebound of the industry.
"As we all leave here, we're all going to drive on roads and there's going to be a whole lot of cars. There's going to be people driving around. We know there's going to be new cars made. We know there's going to be new kinds of cars made in America. We just want to be able to compete as a state to be first in the line when those new jobs are out there."
Auto manufacturing plants in the St. Louis area have been hit hard in recent months. After plant closures this year, GM and Chrysler are extending down times at two local plants to start 2009.
Nixon's press release on the Show Me Jobs plan quotes the leaders of the Senate and House as supporting efforts to create jobs. House Speaker-elect Ron Richard says he is "on the same page" as Nixon when it comes to his initiative.