Steelman estimates her plan will cost $173 million dollars in state revenue but won’t require budget cuts.

“I don't believe we're going to have to cut revenue. I think we'll have a natural growth in revenue for next year, plus the fact that this will stimulate growth,” she said.

Steelman is competing with U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof of Columbia in the Republican primary election in August. The winner likely will face Attorney General Jay Nixon in the general election in November.