Nixon focuses on ethics in final State of the State speech

(AP) — Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon made another push Wednesday night to tighten Missouri's ethics laws, delivering his final State of the State speech to a Republican-led Legislature under heightened scrutiny following scandals that prompted the resignations of two lawmakers.

Nixon, who leaves office in January 2017 because of term limits, cited big checks to candidates from donors and lobbyist gifts as giving the perception of undue influence on public officials, and he criticized the current policy that allows lawmakers to hire each other as political consultants.

Missouri is unique as the only state with the trio of unlimited campaign contributions, uncapped lobbyist gifts to lawmakers and a revolving door that allows lawmakers to immediately become lobbyists after leaving office.

Where Nixon called again to expand eligibility for Medicaid health care, Richardson criticized spending on the program and promised to pass a law "requiring state agencies to fact check applicants" for Medicaid.

Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, later criticized the proposed increase in spending in Nixon's budget plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1, particularly what Schaefer called "the astronomical growth in welfare spending."