JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The State of the State is will be delivered in a joint session on January 21, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. by Democratic Governor Jay Nixon.
Majority Floor Leader Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, officially invited Gov. Jay Nixon to deliver the annual speech in HCR 1, which was passed by the House in the first week along with similar legislation to schedule the State of the Judiciary on the 22nd. Those outside of the House who address the body must be formally invited by the House.
It is unknown what the Republican response to the governor’s speech will be, partially due to a primarily nonpartisan agenda set forth by the leaders of both chambers of the General Assembly Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey and Speaker of the House John Diehl in their speeches on the first day of session, and indications by the governor to become more involved in the legislative process in the last couple months.
It is yet to be publicly announced who will be delivering the GOP response, but there is buzz in the Capitol that candidate for attorney general Senator Kurt Schaefer will be asked to speak on behalf of the party.
“Sen. Schaefer did a great job responding in past years to the State of the State and I believe he would do a great job again this year,” Rep. Caleb Jones, R-California, said.
When reached for comment Senator Schaefer didn’t confirm any details. “I’m honored to be considered, but no decision has been formally made as of yet. The only thing I feel strongly is that whoever gives the response it be delivered live.’
Rachael Herndon was the editor at The Missouri Times and also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. She joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.
