JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Once again, workforce development and infrastructure took center stage for Missouri’s chief executive.
Gov. Mike Parson traveled the state promoting his proposal to repair 250 bridges through a $351 million bond. He also spent time visiting schools, touring businesses, and meeting with a variety of groups including veterans, agriculturalists, and local officials.
Wednesday kicked off a statewide ‘Focus on Bridges’ tour. Over a two-day period, Parson visited bridges in Kansas City, Hannibal, St. Louis, St. Clair, and Phelps County.
“Missouri has one of the nation’s largest highway systems with one of the lowest levels of funding in the country – it is now time to fix Missouri’s infrastructure needs,” Parson said. “Our plan to address Missouri’s critical infrastructure needs, funded through budget savings, will accelerate more than $1 billion worth of local projects with no new tax dollars.”
Parson leads statewide infrastructure effort to ‘Focus on Bridges’
Infrastructure was also the highlight of Parson’s address at the Missouri Municipal League’s annual conference.
“Even if we get this passed, even if it happens, it is a bandage for a major problem,” said Parson. “If you want businesses to come to your town, if you want businesses to come to this state, you gotta face infrastructure.”
Parson, Schatz stress infrastructure at annual Missouri Municipal League conference
Parson travelled to southeast Missouri on Friday. He toured SRG Global, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of chrome plated plastic parts, met with 5th-graders in Richland Public Schools who were building robots for a STEM classroom project, and visited the Stars & Stripes Museum.
As @FirstLadyTeresa and I stroll through the @stripesmuseum in Bloomfield, we are reminded of the sacrifices so many brave men and women made protecting our great nation. This special museum & library has preserved the history of the Stars & Stripes Newspaper since the Civil War. pic.twitter.com/GTS9Og1YuM
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) February 15, 2019
Throughout the week, Parson meet with a variety of different groups including the Missouri Primary Care Association, the Missouri Retired Teachers Association, and the Missouri Pork Producers Association.
Really appreciated the chance to visit with @MOPrimaryCare about our workforce development needs in Missouri healthcare. Training up our next generation of healthcare workers will move #MissouriForward. pic.twitter.com/BX1eTBL5Kw
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) February 12, 2019
The Missouri Retired Teachers Association brought some high energy to the Capitol today! Glad I got to speak to them during their legislative day & thank them for equipping our next generation with the tools they will need for success. pic.twitter.com/wZwslJQgIk
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) February 12, 2019
Student leaders from Columbia stopped by the office this afternoon as a part of their legislative visits. We love having students visit our office and share with them the rich history of our Capitol building & our state. pic.twitter.com/zyPdNB1Efq
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) February 12, 2019
Happy to meet our Cross Country State Champs @FESTUSAthletics! Rep. @BeckyRuth114 helped me congratulate the winning team from Festus in the office this morning. Go @FestusR6 Tigers! pic.twitter.com/v1VikubeBo
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) February 13, 2019
Alisha Shurr was a reporter for The Missouri Times and The Missouri Times Magazine. She joined The Missouri Times in January 2018 after working as a copy editor for her hometown newspaper in Southern Oregon. Alisha is a graduate of Kansas State University.