JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Driving the news out of the Governor’s office is Gov. Mike Parson naming a new acting director of the Department of Revenue (DOR) after Joel Walters submitted his resignation this week.
Parson tapped Ken Zellers, DOR’s chief operating officer, to take over the role once the embattled Walters leaves his post.
“I have full confidence that the [DOR] will continue providing excellent service to the people of Missouri,” Parson said in a statement. “Our administration will build off the positive reforms made within the department and ensure Missourians continue to benefit from historical tax cuts made at the federal and state level.”
Parson also appointed 10 people to various boards and commissions in the state this week, including picking former state Sen. Brian Munzlinger to the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole where he will be tasked with determining the release of those incarcerated.
If Munzlinger’s appointment is confirmed, there will still be one more vacancy on the board.
Additionally, Parson filled the final opening on the Missouri State Board of Education by appointing Mary Shield to the post. With other members’ terms set to expire, Parson will most likely have the opportunity to appoint additional people to the board in the future.
Parson also appointed Vernon Vito Bracy and Victor Barnett Pasley to the Lincoln University Board of Trustees; Richard Popp to the Lincoln University Board of Curators; Richard Ebersold and Alan Landes to the Missouri Western State University Board of Governors; and Sherry Jones, Lowell Mohler, and Kevin Roberts to the State Fair Commission.
Earlier in the week, Parson signed an executive order establishing a task force to develop a plan to improve school safety in Missouri, tapping Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe to lead the group.
“As a grandfather and as governor, I expect schools to be safe places from the time a student steps onto the bus in the morning until he or she steps off in the afternoon,” Parson said. “Unfortunately, I know from my time as a law enforcement officer that there are people in the world who seek to prey on those who are often unable to protect themselves.”
Great morning at @WeAreBlairOaks! We signed an Executive Order directing @LtGovMikeKehoe, @MoPublicSafety, @MentalHealthMO, @MOEducation, Missouri School Boards Association, & Center for Education Safety, to develop a statewide strategic school safety plan. #ShowMeSuccess pic.twitter.com/9LpcH5k4fE
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) March 13, 2019
“As a state, we need to ensure we are providing the tools and guidance to help local elected leaders make our schools as safe as possible,” he continued.
Parson also met with various people in Jefferson City and throughout Missouri, including addressing hundreds of anti-abortion Missourians who descended upon the Capitol. He told them the state was prepared for Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 1973 abortion decision, to be overturned.
Earlier today, I had the opportunity to join hundreds of pro-life supporters who were gathered at the State Capitol to stand for life, promote women’s health, and advocate for the unborn. https://t.co/xuXi6yQ34L pic.twitter.com/N4v7TuklVK
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) March 13, 2019
Additionally, Parson met with Jobs for America’s Graduates-Missouri, Missouri Hispanic leaders, the Ecumenical Leadership Council of Missouri, Joplin Schools JROTC participants, and a group of teachers from Bolivar this week.
Happy to promote @JAGMissouri along with @FirstLadyTeresa today in Springfield. Thank you @SGFChamber for encouraging education achievement & workforce development in our youth! pic.twitter.com/SHlEHnVmmg
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) March 13, 2019
Really appreciated the chance to visit with Hispanic leaders from across the state. We talked about their work honoring Hispanic Veterans, and our shared goal of investing in workforce development programs to skill-up the workforce of tomorrow. Thanks for coming by! pic.twitter.com/ep781UFYnr
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) March 13, 2019
Good discussion with the Ecumenical Leadership Council of Missouri. I thank you for your continued prayers for @FirstLadyTeresa and me. We have many priories in common, and I thank you for sharing the stories of struggle & success in your communities across the state. pic.twitter.com/VsOWiStTgW
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) March 12, 2019
This afternoon we had the @JoplinSchools JROTC visit the Governor’s Office. Proud of these patriotic young men and women of Missouri! pic.twitter.com/RHXsMmfPrK
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) March 13, 2019
Great to have a group of teachers from my hometown Bolivar stop by to say hello! pic.twitter.com/hHu0N7Yk7T
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) March 12, 2019
Kaitlyn Schallhorn was the editor in chief of The Missouri Times from 2020-2022. She joined the newspaper in early 2019 after working as a reporter for Fox News in New York City.
Throughout her career, Kaitlyn has covered political campaigns across the U.S., including the 2016 presidential election, and humanitarian aid efforts in Africa and the Middle East.
She is a native of Missouri who studied journalism at Winthrop University in South Carolina. She is also an alumna of the National Journalism Center in Washington, D.C.
Contact Kaitlyn at kaitlyn@themissouritimes.com.
