Excitement, but no specifics

Intro: There's plenty of excitement surrounding Missouri's cut of federal stimulus money, but few specifics.

Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.

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Gov. Jay Nixon said at a press conference Wednesday he'll funnel $4.4 billion of stimulus money to education, infrastructure and technology.

But he didn't mention specifics and couldn't give estimates on how much money each project would receive.

Nixon kicked off the first project to use federal money Tuesday, renovating a bridge over the Osage River southwest of Jefferson City.

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Description: Yesterday, we showed the nation right here in Missouri, we're ready to compete. We're going to be first. We're going to lead the way. And we're going to turn this economy around.

Some GOP lawmakers are concerned that too much of the stimulus money will fund healthcare and education programs the state can't keep up once federal money disappears.

From the State Capitol, I'm Theo Keith.

Intro: Gov. Jay Nixon is excited to start spending Missouri's cut of federal stimulus dollars, but some Republicans are leery of rushing to spend the money.

Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.

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Nixon announced Wednesday he wants to funnel money to education, infrastructure and technology.

Cape Girardeau Republican Senator Jason Crowell says strings attached to the bill require the state to spend more than it can handle without federal support.

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Description: What are you going to do in year three if you go out and hire 6,000 new teachers? How are you going to keep them employed once the federal money runs out?

Crowell says the state might need another bailout if it spends too much now.

Nixon didn't mention specific projects, dollar amounts, or what would happen when the stimulus money disappears.

Budget Director Linda Luebbering says federal money will only stabilize the state until the economy recovers and revenues increase.

From the State Capitol, I'm Theo Keith.

Intro: Gov. Jay Nixon announced his plan to spend billions of federal stimulus dollars with excitement, but without specifics.

Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.

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Nixon's plan includes spending money on education, infrastructure and technology.

While Nixon talked about transforming Missouri's economy, he didn't name specific projects or dollar amounts.

Republicans, such as Joplin Senator Gary Nodler, support Nixon's infrastructure goals.

But Nodler is wary of expanding education programs the state can't afford once federal money runs dry.

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Description: It all depends on how it turns out at the end. Sitting here, looking forward, we don't know. If it works, fine. If it fails, we'll all have a price to pay.

Cape Girardeau Republican Senator Jason Crowell says states could need another bailout if they overspend now, but Nixon didn't offer any ideas on how to prevent that from happening.

From the State Capitol, I'm Theo Keith.