Appearing at the Epworth Children and Family Services center, the governor signed House Bills 1172, 1576 and 1577.

House Bill 1172 bolsters the tax credit program for agencies that provide residential care and treatment for troubled youth and families, and it sets up a tax credit program for those who make donations to such facilities.

“Making sure that people in the community who want to give their dollars, that we’re going to be partners with them to continuing these places,” Nixon said.

House Bill 1576 allows forster care parents who care for children with special needs to qualify for the purchase of state health insurance .

House Bill 1577 provides guidelines to help schools boost the academic success of foster care children.

Nixon was joined by State Representatives Rick Stream and Jeanne Kirkton, who pushed the bills through the legislature.

In a question and answer session following the bill signings, Nixon said he’s worried about the impact the statewide drought on the agriculture economy. The governor also asserted his belief that the state’s economy is growing, despite nationwide concerns of a possible recession.

Nixon was also asked about the upcoming Supreme Court announcement on President Obama’s health care plan. Nixon repeated his opposition to the mandatory coverage portion of the law, saying he “doesn’t think it’s right to force people to buy something.”

The governor was wearing his right arm in a sling. He said he recenlty suffered an “athletic injury,” but offered no details.

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The Missouri House of Representatives passed a bill that would require the Department of Transportation to establish a minimum interval time for yellow lights.

Republican Representative Rick Stream said the bill would impose standards for the length of time for the yellow light depending on traffic.

“Once the red light cameras were installed several years ago, several municipalities around the state shortened the length of time for the yellow lights so that they could get more offenders actually going through the red lights.”  “This legislation will ensure that municipalities are held up to a state standard that ensures safety for all Missouri drivers across the state.”

St. Louis City Democratic Representative Margo McNeil contends the bill would not make a huge difference and is costly to the state.

But, Stream said after the city of Arnold implemented this formula for their yellow light timings, there was a ninety percent reduction in red light tickets.

The bill now goes back to the Senate to review the House changes.