By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri Governor Jay Nixon delivers his first State of the State Address tonight (Tuesday).
The core of Nixon's speech to the General Assembly is expected to focus on putting together a budget despite a decline in tax revenues. Allen Icet (R, Wildwood) chairs the House Budget Committee.
"The governor has to withhold at least $300-400 million in the 2010 Fiscal Year, and depending on some factors beyond all of our control it may actually turn out to be a little bit more than that," Icet said.
State Senator Joan Bray (D, St. Louis) says Nixon will have to make cuts.
"And I suspect they will be very thoughtfully and judiciously done, because he's had some good experienced people with the state budget helping him on that...I think the effort will be made to not affect direct services to people," Bray said.
Meanwhile, Nixon's spending plan may include a partial restoring of Medicaid benefits cut by former Governor Matt Blunt four years ago.
Nixon may also announce adjustments to the current 2009 budget.
KWMU's live coverage of the address begins at 7:PM. The Republican Response by Lt. Governor Peter Kinder will follow.