JEFFERSON CITY - As Gov. Matt Blunt signs some of the toughest legislation in the country to fight illegal immigration, Jay Nixon still refuses to explain to Missourians why he wants to spend their tax dollars on welfare benefits for illegals.

“Jay Nixon has tried to avoid questions on his answers to a Project Vote Smart survey in which he supported taxpayer-funded welfare benefits for illegal immigrants and refused to support making English our official language,” said Tina Hervey, communications director of the Missouri Republican Party. “It is time for Jay Nixon to come out of the shadows and share with Missourians why he wants taxpayer dollars to go to welfare benefits for illegals and why he refused to support English first."

A 1998 Project Vote Smart survey completed by Nixon showed his support for the following immigration issue included in the survey: “Prohibit states from passing laws that deny human services (medical care, education) to illegal immigrants or their children.” A copy of the Vote Smart Survey is available at http://www.mogop.org/media/votesmart.pdf.

In the same survey, Nixon refused to support making English the official language of the United States even though as a state senator, Nixon was one of only eight senators that voted against SB374 on April 18, 1991 that stated: “The English language is the official language of the state of Missouri.” And more recently, Nixon ridiculed Gov. Matt Blunt’s proposal to crack down on illegal immigrants seeking to obtain a Missouri driver’s license.

Missourians interested in learning about Jay Nixon’s true record can visit www.vote-smart.org or call (888) 868-3762.