JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon implored lawmakers to embrace policies that "foster healing and hope" Wednesday as he delivered his first State of the State address since the unrest that erupted over the fatal police shooting of a black 18-year-old in Ferguson.
Nixon acknowledged that the death of Michael Brown - and the sometimes violent protests that ensued - had focused the eyes of the nation on Missouri during the past year, prompting discussions about "race and equality, education and economic opportunity, law enforcement and the courts."
"The legacy of Ferguson will be determined by what we do next to foster healing and hope and the changes we make to strengthen all of our communities," Nixon said in a nearly 50-minute speech to a joint session of the House and Senate.
The Democratic governor called for an update to Missouri's law on the police use of deadly force as he outlined an agenda that also proposed more funding for public schools, the consideration of a gas tax hike or tolls for aging highways, stronger ethics laws and a renewed call to expand Medicaid eligibility to low-income adults.
Nixon's proposed $26 billion budget for the 2016 fiscal year would keep spending relatively flat compared with the current year, a carryover effect from revenues that fell significantly short of expectations last year. He also asked lawmakers to approve $353 million of repairs and renovations at the Capitol, college campuses, state parks and office buildings under a bonding plan that legislators previously authorized.
Nixon has been criticized by some for his handling of the response to Brown's shooting - first for not acting quickly enough to quell tensions between protesters and heavily armored police in August, and later for not preemptively deploying the National Guard to troubled spots in Ferguson when a grand jury decision not to indict officer Darren Wilson was announced in November.
During his remarks Wednesday related to Ferguson, Nixon said there often is "too much fear and too little trust."
"Some folks feel they have to choose sides: Them or us. Teens or cops. Black or white," Nixon said. "The truth is we're all in this together. The truth is real and lasting change is only possible when we stand together."
As a first step, Nixon encouraged lawmakers to "reform municipal courts," something Republicans also have embraced, in response to complaints from Ferguson protesters and other St. Louis-area residents about cities that derive a large percentage of their revenues from traffic tickets.
Nixon said Missouri's deadly force law needs to be brought in line with U.S. Supreme Court precedent, but he did not offer specifics. He said officials must recruit and train police who reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. And Nixon implored lawmakers to "support policies that foster racial understanding," create economic opportunity and strengthen failing schools.
Many of his suggestions received more applause from Democrats than from Republicans. But GOP lawmakers joined in a standing ovation when Nixon said he was proud of law enforcement officers.
House Speaker John Diehl, who delivered a Republican response speech, accused Nixon of poor leadership during the Ferguson events and pledged that legislators would investigate why the National Guard was not used in Ferguson on the night of the grand jury decision.
"Our governor failed to communicate his polices and fulfill his promises, and Missourians paid the price as Ferguson was looted and destroyed," Diehl said.
Related:
Nixon's budget: No pay hike, more job cuts
Local lawmakers generally pleased with speech
Text of Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon's State of the State address (with video link)
Text of Missouri GOP response to State of State address (with video)