Gov. Jay Nixon reveals Missouri jobs plan for 2012

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon calls it a plan to create jobs for veterans, in rural areas, as well as in science, hi-tech and automotive industries.

But Monday he couldn't say how he'll pay for it.

Nixon unveiled a seven point plan to try to help create news jobs. He calls it "Missouri Works".

But don't expect a lot of flashy new ideas.

Much of it appears to be refocusing programs that are already up and running.

Nixon made the announcement after touring an Excelsior Springs factory that produces car seats.

The seats go into cars made just down the road at the Ford Claycomo plant.

"What we start is in a vehicle five hours later and rolling off the end of the line," said John Tarpley of Magna Seating.

230 people work at Magna Seating.

It's the kind of automotive supplier that the governor wants to help, and to attract more of,  with his new strategy.

But most of Nixon's plan involves moving around existing state incentives, or expanding existing programs.

"Under Missouri Works, we'll focus Missouri's existing economic incentives on these targeted industries," said Nixon.

Just last summer the Legislature failed to pass an overall economic development bill when called into special session just for that purpose.

So there are questions about gaining approval for Nixon's new jobs plan.
 
State Rep. Jerry Nolte, a Gladstone Republican, wants to see more details, but is optimistic.

Nolte said, "With the last special session not doing very well, I think that for a lot of us renews out determination to make sure that we do in fact create that atmosphere so that jobs can be coming to this state."

Nixon, a Democrat who is up for re-election this year, wouldn't yet reveal how he'll pay for his plan.

Nixon said, "We'll lay out the budget next week. I don't have a comprehensive number about how much all of this would be, but many of these are tools that would pay off after there was a creation of a job."

Nixon did point out the next budget will probably be cut for the fourth year in a row.

His budget director even says more cuts may be possible in  the middle of this fiscal year because of lagging tax revenues.

Some of the plans the governor can implement himself by moving around money in the budget.

 Others will need legislative approval.

Nixon plans to lay out more of his plan in his State of the State speech next week.