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This Week in the Governor’s Office: August 26

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Another one of Gov. Mike Parson’s visions for Missouri was completed this week with the restructuring of state agencies and departments. 

The restructuring, billed as a way to boost Missouri’s “economic development strategy,” was the result of an executive order Parson signed in January. Parson spent the week touting the reorganization, addressing the press and state employees. 

“It’s time we’re leaders of the Midwest. It’s time we’re leaders of the United States,” the Republican governor told workers gathered in the Capitol building this week. 

Additionally, Parson addressed the first meeting of the Flood Recovery Advisory Group, a coalition formed by another executive order he signed. About 100 people attended the first meeting, the Governor’s Office said. 

Parson was also involved in a back-and-forth with many of the state’s Demcoratic leaders about his call for a special session over a vehicle sales tax issue in September. Democrats have implored Parson to call lawmakers back to Jefferson City to address the gun violence crippling the state, particularly in St. Louis. 

The Missouri Legislative Black Caucus asked Parson to “indicate that the topic of gun violence, especially the increased number of deaths of innocent children, was worthy of inclusion in the … special session of the Missouri General Assembly.” 

Parson, however, has said the special session is not the “avenue” to address that issue. 

Parson made two judicial appointments in the 21st Judicial Court his week: Matthew Hearne as associate circuit judge and Renée Hardin-Tammons as circuit judge. 

More on what the governor did this week: