JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is vowing to back a ballot initiative to restore limits on campaign contribution if lawmakers refuse to approve them.

Nixon said in his State of the State address Monday that Missouri must reinstate strict limits on how much money candidates can receive from individual donors.

If lawmakers don't approve contribution limits, the Democratic governor said he will do everything within his power to ensure that a citizens' initiative makes the ballot and is approved by a statewide vote.

Missouri's Republican-led Legislature repealed the state's campaign contribution limits in 2008. They argued that the limits led big donors to funnel money to politicians through a variety of obscure committees. Republicans said unlimited donations made it easier for people to track the money.

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Associated Press