Gov. Jay Nixon signed into law two pieces of legislation designed to promote education and careers in science and careers in high-tech jobs while visiting Missouri S&T on Thursday.

“At the beginning of the 20th century, heavy industry and agriculture was enough to sustain our economy — that simply isn’t the case any more,” Nixon said to S&T faculty and students at Butler-Carlton Civil Engineering Hall.

Nixon signed House Bill 506 that requires the governor to proclaim the first week in March as Math, Engineering, Science and Technology (METS) Week every year.

The governor also signed Senate Concurrent Resolution Two, which establishes Oct. 3 as Science Day in Missouri.

“To compete in the 21st century, we must build on the traditional economic base by embracing science, research and technology to build the jobs of the future in the Show-Me-State,” Nixon said.

Despite the rhetoric to embrace science and create jobs in Missouri, the legislation Nixon signed does not create any programs or provide funding to science research and education and is only meant to promote education and careers in high-tech jobs.

Increased support, however, depends on the economic climate of the next few years.

Early in the year, Nixon was able to keep funding for education at the same level from the previous year in his budget but with the national economy still in trouble future funding is far from certain.

“I think we have to have values that we are connecting education to the economy.

“The argument we are making is this is not just an educational step but a economic step and if we can make that argument we will be able to find resources to expand degree programs,” Nixon said after the conference.

Before the signings, Nixon went on a tour of the Structures Lab where he saw research being done, testing new designs and methods such as lightweight carbon fiber mesh that could be used to help reinforce structures.

Helmet law vetoed

Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed a bill that would have repealed the state’s requirement for motorcycle riders 21-years-old and older to wear a helmet Thursday.

“In 1967 that measure was created and has served us well on two fronts. First of all safety, for obviously folks that are riding motorcycles it is more safe to wear a helmet,” Nixon said.

The second benefit Nixon cited for keeping the requirement is the cost of accidents of people who are not wearing helmets.

“These horrific accidents are extremely expensive, both to the state as well to folks private insurance,” Nixon said.

The legislation also included a provision that would stop insurance companies from assigning fault for an accident to someone solely for riding a motorcycle. The insurance portion is included in other legislation that still is on Nixon’s desk.