Governor’s Column - July 28, 2006
by Governor Matt Blunt
Building the Foundation for a Stronger Missouri
Missourians can take pride in our growing economy and our continued focus on achieving measurable savings in state agencies that have helped erase a $1.1 billion deficit. We have for the first time in years a small but real surplus. Since January 2005 more than 45,000 new jobs have been created, unemployment has continued to decline and nearly 16,000 new businesses have opened their doors.
Our surging economy is a result of policy changes that have helped stimulate economic growth. We have finally enacted significant and comprehensive lawsuit reform that levels the playfield and ensures justice for all Missourians. I also signed a law reforming Missouri's workers' compensation program that protects injured workers without threatening jobs. We also enacted the Missouri Quality Jobs Act providing communities with new tools to attract "high paying" jobs to our state.
I had the privilege this year of signing legislation designed to increase access to health insurance for small businesses and their employees by expanding eligibility for association health plans and providing an exemption that will encourage insurers to write policies for association health plans. These plans allow separate employers to join together to purchase group health care as a single employer.
Education is once again the state's number one budget and policy priority. I made a promise during the 2004 campaign to provide more funding for education each year I am governor, and I am happy to report that promise has been and will be kept. Since January 2005 we have provided more than $331.8 million in new funding for our schools. This year we were able to provide a long over due increase to higher education by increasing state aid to colleges and universities by $20 million.
Together we are laying the foundation for a stronger Missouri. We have made significant progress since 2005 to improve the state's economy and services for all Missourians.