• A significant portion of Nixon's address - Nixon framed Medicaid expansion as an economic issue. "Strengthening Medicaid will strengthen our economy. Without question, it's the smart thing to do."
• Nixon also addressed that if Washington doesn't hold up its financial commitment, he supports a provision that "rolls back the Medicaid expansion."
• Jones called Medicaid expansion a "ploy" from Washington that "forced the hand" of states like Missouri.

 Education:

• Nixon proposed an increase in education funding of $150 million - itemized to go toward early childhood education ($17 million), higher education ($34 million) and K-12 classrooms ($100 million).
• Nixon shared that Missouri's graduation rate is now the 7th highest in the nation.
• Western Governor's University - Missouri was announced - Nixon called it a "a nonprofit institution that offers bachelors and masters degrees in four areas Missouri's employers are looking for: business, health care, teacher preparation and information technology."
• Jones said that he found common ground with Nixon on education reform and that "Education cannot just begin and end at the schoolhouse door."
• See also: Bonds and "BOOST program"

• Nixon announced $10 million toward mental health services.
• Jones approached the topic by saying that the "solution to prevent such tragedies (Sandy Hook massacre) from happening again in the future does not involve trampling on the Second Amendment rights of our citizens.
• Instead, we must place an emphasis on creating a mental health system that makes care accessible and effective, so that those who might do us harm have the opportunity to receive the kind of help that can put them on a path to triumph rather than tragedy."

• Nixon proposed a 29 percent increase in funding for domestic violence programs and facilities.
• Jones did not address the topic in his response.

• Nixon proposed the "BOOST Fund" - stands for "Building Opportunities in Our Schools Today."
• Also proposed bond issuance for Fulton State Mental Hospital and the refurbishing of state parks and elements of tourism.
• Proposed paying for bond system with tax credit reform.
• Jones addressed tax credit reform by saying: "We also believe it is important to review the effectiveness of our existing state programs, including Missouri's 61 tax credit programs.
• Many of these programs accomplish a worthwhile goal, but oversight and accountability are required."

• Nixon called "unlimited sums of money pouring into the campaign accounts of candidates seeking office" "the single most destructive force to our system."
• Nixon said that if the legislature doesn't send him a campaign contribution limit bill to his desk, he would do "everything in [his] power" to get it on the ballot and make sure it passes.
• Jones did not address this topic in his response.

• Nixon did not address transportation in his address.
• Jones said: "Areas like the critical task of improving our state's aging and failing infrastructure. We must work together to make sure our roads and bridges, the essential transportation routes vital to economic development, are maintained, repaired and, when necessary, rebuilt."

• Nixon did not address this topic.
• Jones spent a considerable portion of his response on the topic and called it one of his "top priorities." He called for reform of the malpractice system so we "can close the floodgate of lawsuits that threaten to drive the cost of medical malpractice insurance through the roof and, of course, increase the cost of care."