Parson gives State of the State address

Yesterday afternoon, Governor Mike Parson delivered his State of the State address to both chambers of the Missouri General Assembly from the dais in the House of Representatives.

To start, Parson thanked various members of his cabinet and heads of state administrations for their dedication and hard work.

Then, he touted last fall’s Special Session, citing the legislation both chambers passed regarding income tax and agriculture tax credits.

Parson also talked about the economy in general, noting that the unemployment rate fell to 2.4%, the lowest in state history. He also mentioned the 5,000 jobs created in 2022.

Next, Parson moved on to infrastructure. Broadband was first on his list of infrastructure related topics. Although the state helped give broadband access to tens of thousands of homes, Parson announced that they were not done and would allocate 250 million dollars to continue servicing homes.

“We are not done until every home, every school, every business, and every farm has access to
quality internet,” Parson said.

Parson also mentioned the tragic Amtrak derailment that occurred last year, which killed four and injured many more. He announced that 35 million dollars would be dedicated to updating railway crossings to be safer.

Perhaps one of the most ambitious announcements was about Highway I-70, which connects St. Louis to Kansas City. Parson announced that the state would be requesting 859 million dollars to help rebuild I-70 and start to build a third lane across the corridor.

Education was next on the agenda. Parson talked about some of success in education from the past year, which included teachers getting a base salary raise.

He also talked about the future of education, particularly early education. Parson announced that more money would be given to childcare centers and pre-kindergarten schools throughout the state.

Apprenticeship programs, Community Colleges and Universities were all also on the slate to receive various amounts of funding.

Next, Parson took the time to talk about his own agenda. Parson recently announced his plan to give all state employees a 8.7 percent cost of living adjustment. He told the legislators present that he would like the bill on his desk by March 1.

In the realm of healthcare, Parson had one major goal. He spoke about maternal health, something Missouri lags behind greatly compared to other states. Specifically, maternal death rates. Parson announced that 4.3 million dollars would be given to the Department of Health and Senior Services in order to implement a new plan to tackle maternal mortality rates.

When he talked about public safety, Parson again only had one major piece on the agenda. He mentioned the shooting at Central Visual & Performing Arts High School in St. Louis, which resulted in the death of both a teacher and a student. Parson announced that 50 million dollars would be given to school safety grants.

To conclude, Parson introduced students of various ages from across the state to floor and talked about what the children wanted to be when they grew up.

Parson talked about the future of the state and future of the children and how both were deeply intertwined.

“These children are the why. If we’re not willing to sacrifice for these kids, support their
dreams, or stand up for their future, then we must ask ourselves why are we here?” Parson said.

Parson ended his speech with the traditional “God bless you, God bless the great State of Missouri, and God bless the United States of America”.

The full speech can be read below.

Thank you Lieutenant Governor, Mr. Speaker, statewide officials, Judges of the Missouri
Supreme Court, and state legislators.

It is an honor to be joined by the First Lady as I stand before you again today as the 57th
Governor of the Great State of Missouri.

Today, I stand here with excitement and a renewed sense of optimism for the future of Missouri
and its people.

This past year was one of opportunity. We recognized that. Took advantage of that. AND now
we are reaping the benefits…both today and tomorrow.

By working together, we’ve done better than before. We’ve established a new baseline of service
for state government. We’ve set a new standard for the people of Missouri.

Together, we’ve moved billions of dollars in investments across this state. Whether you live in
Kansas City or St. Louis…Kennett or Rockport… grow corn or cotton…vote left, right, or
center…We’ve left no community behind.

We are building a bench in this state that will continue the tremendous successes we are seeing.
AND that means a bench that SEES everyone, that INCLUDES everyone, and is FOR everyone.

Teachers and police officers…state workers and factory workers… every hard-working
Missourian is critical to the continued success of our state. Every year, we’ve supported them,
invested in them, and we must never quit on them.

Last year, I stood before you and proclaimed that Missouri is Strong Today and will be Even
Stronger Tomorrow. Well this year, I’m here to tell you that tomorrow has arrived…
Missouri IS Stronger today, and we’re going to continue what we’ve started…Because THIS
Governor isn’t done yet…WE… ARE…NOT… DONE… YET!

This past year, words like “historical” “largest ever” and “most in history” seemed to become
permanent parts of our vocabulary…whether it was workforce development, education,
infrastructure, mental health, public safety, or agriculture…these words applied to all.

In October, we concluded a historic special session with the passage of the largest income tax
cut in our state’s history.

We cut the tax rate and simplified the tax code for all Missourians. Missourians work hard, they
provide for their families, pay their bills, and pay their taxes. AND they deserve to keep their
hard-earned money.

This tax cut means that our administration will have cut Missourians’ taxes three times and by
20 percent. Money that can help put gas in the car, food on the table, or saved for a rainy day. It
means more money in our economy.

We thank Senator Koenig, Senator Hough, and Representative Smith for their leadership as well
as everyone in this chamber who voted for and fought for this tax cut.

In Missouri…when the coffers are full from a booming economy, growing businesses, and job
creation…we don’t spend for the sake of spending like we see in Washington D.C.…we spend
what is necessary for our growth…for the future…and put more money back in Missourians’
pockets where it was EARNED…and where IT BELONGS.

During that same special session, we also secured opportunity and support for our state’s number
one economic driver…agriculture.

I am an Ag Governor and this administration will always stand up for our Missouri farmers and
ranchers. AND we challenged legislators who say the same to do the same…

By working together with the leadership of Senator Bean and Representative Pollitt, we put
politics and special interests aside and passed long term extensions for our critical agriculture tax
credit programs…

Programs that create jobs, promote farm and business innovation, and help add value to our
Missouri Grown products.

Despite the roadblocks, political games, and those who stood against agriculture… support for
our farmers and ranchers could not be denied. AND we appreciate everyone who took a stand
and offered your support for those who feed and fuel our economy.

While tax cuts and support for agriculture are huge wins…you have probably noticed,
MISSOURI IS ON THE MOVE.

Our economy is booming. Businesses are investing, growing, and creating jobs in our state.
Thanks to our focus on workforce development and infrastructure, we have achieved countless
economic wins.

In 2022, our unemployment rate fell to 2.4 percent…the lowest rate ever recorded in the history
of the State of Missouri, and it remains historically low today.

While the federal government tried to solve an inflation problem with more spending, we got to
work creating jobs and securing business investment.

This year, we celebrated business announcements all across the State of Missouri…
In total, more than $2.9 billion dollars and nearly 5,000 new jobs were created by businesses
that utilized our state programs, like Missouri One Start.

Since its reform in 2019, Missouri One Start has trained nearly 130,000 workers for companies
of all sizes.

Its success is why we are continuing our investment of $27 million dollars for additional
Missouri One Start training projects to help recruit and train skilled workers for companies
choosing our state.

AND we are proud that Missouri ranks 1st in the United States for our low cost of doing
business…
Whether it is investments in Missouri One Start, broadband, education, or so on, by prioritizing
infrastructure and workforce development, companies are choosing our state to invest.

Some of the first things we are asked about on our Trade Missions is our progress on
infrastructure, education, workforce, and our cost of doing business.

In fact, from our Trade Missions alone, we have been able to achieve over 1,000 jobs and more
than $1 billion dollars in business investment for Missouri.
AND WE ARE NOT DONE YET

Last year, we made one of the largest investments in broadband expansion across our state.
Thanks to our efforts, nearly 70,000 under-served homes and businesses across our state NOW
have broadband.

BUT we know we can’t stop now. That is why we are investing an additional $250 million
dollars to do even more.

If we can put electricity in every home, we can do the same with broadband today.

We are not done until every home, every school, every business, and every farm has access to
quality internet.

Not only is broadband important so is our vast transportation network.

But this year, we learned the hard way that we must do more to improve transportation safety.
Over the summer, an Amtrak passenger train derailed near the small town of Mendon, killing
four and seriously injuring dozens of others.

Thankfully in this instance, small town America rose to the occasion. Neighbors helping
neighbors, strangers helping strangers…the Mendon community represented the best of our
people…the best of our state.

AND on behalf of all Missourians…I want to thank them…

While the power of our people and the goodness of their character made a bad situation a little
better this time, the state must be proactive and help prevent a similar situation again.

That is why we are including $35 million dollars to begin updating railway crossings to modern
day safety standards ALL ACROSS OUR STATE…

When I became Governor, we worked with all of you and set out to repair or replace 250 of our
state’s poorest bridges, and we are happy to report that 222 have already been completed, and the
remaining bridges will be under contract by March.

We have also set out to address crumbling roads in rural areas. Thanks to our rural routes
program established in last year’s budget, 1,700 lane miles of low volume roads in the poorest
conditions will be resurfaced by the end of June of this year.

AND we are extremely proud of our Transportation Cost-Share which has awarded 28 local
transportation projects with the funding to improve roads and bridges and bring economic
development to their areas.

Through our $75 million dollar investment and partnering with both public and private entities,
we have leveraged more than $175 million dollars in new projects all across our state, from the
most rural areas to our urban areas.

As you can see, our infrastructure investments are making a real difference for Missourians in
our state.

AND one project in particular we want to highlight is the I-270 North project in St. Louis…one
of the largest investments ever in our state’s history.

This project not only represents stronger infrastructure…it demonstrates the opportunities that
these projects can bring to hard-working Missourians.

Involved with the I-270 project is Project Pave. A STEM program that works to mentor, teach,
and support students in North St. Louis County high schools. These students get to pursue
interests in highway design, engineering, and construction.

AND here with us today is Christian Malloyd.

Christian was an intern with Project Pave and secured full-time employment with Mill-stone
Weber as an IT Technician directly out of high school…

AND that is exactly what we are trying to achieve.

Would you please help me in welcoming Christian and his fellow Project PAVE students to the
chamber today?

While we might have thought we were just putting asphalt on roads or steel over waterways,
what we’re really doing is supporting the future.

These investments create REAL jobs that provide REAL careers… to support REAL families
and REAL futures.

AND WE ARE NOT DONE YET

For years, congestion, traffic accidents, and delays have become serious issues for commuters on
I-70. Not only are we concerned for motorist safety, these inefficiencies are costly to our state’s
economy. AND we must invest to improve I-70.

To those who say we can’t afford it, I say we can’t afford not to.

This year, we are requesting $859 million dollars… the largest investment in decades… to widen
and rebuild the I-70 corridor and take the first step in adding a third lane across our state.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

And the TIME…IS…NOW.

Now, as a product of public education, the father of a school teacher, and grandfather of a firstyear school teacher and preschooler, I know the American Dream could not be possible for so many without a quality education.

This year, we will again fully fund the foundation formula with an additional $117 million
dollars to ensure Missouri schools are receiving the support they need.

But as I’ve said, we’ve set a new standard in this state. AND that includes a new standard of
accountability for our students, teachers, and administrators across the state.

Last year, we funded our part of school transportation for the first time in more than two
decades, and we aren’t one and done.

This year, we are again investing $233 million dollars for school transportation to ensure our
kids can get to and from school safely.

Additionally, last year, in working with the General Assembly, we funded the Career Ladder
Program. Nearly 140 school districts participated and over 11,000 veteran school teachers
received an increase in pay.

This year, we are again funding the program with an additional $32 million dollars to continue
the state’s part and benefit more Missouri teachers.
Another program we are very proud of is our Teacher Baseline Salary Grant program, which
raised baseline teacher pay from $25,000 dollars to $38,000 dollars per year.

A total of 356 Missouri school districts participated in the program and provided pay increases to
more than 6,000 school teachers.

Clearly this program is making a difference, and we are committed to continuing it for teachers
like the one joining us today.

In the upper gallery is one of the teachers we had the pleasure of meeting. She’s a first grade
teacher from Meadville R-4 School District located in Linn County.

She’s a second year teacher and received a nearly $7,000 dollar pay increase thanks to our
baseline teacher pay program. She was able to move out of her parents’ house, get married, and
begin pursuing a master’s degree.

Mrs. Fluckey is a great example of the majority of our educators who do it for the right reasons.
She represents our educators who certainly don’t do it for the money, but do it for our children
and the future of our state.

Would you please join me in giving Mrs. Fluckey and all our Missouri educators a round of
Applause?

We also know that early childhood care is essential to our state’s success.

We’ve already invested nearly $1 billion dollars to improve our child care network and create
more options for more Missouri families.

BUT WE ARE NOT DONE YET

We know child care remains a struggle for many parents and businesses. Child care providers
often have to limit their hours due to staffing shortages or increase their prices…this poses a real
challenge to parents as they weigh the decision to work or stay home.

Prior to COVID-19, more than 50 percent of Missouri residents lived in an area with a shortage
of child care. We know that problem has only worsened with one-third of facilities no longer
open after the pandemic.

We need to do better…for our parents, children, providers, and businesses.
Joining us today is Sharon Winton, the Director of Discovery Place child care right here in
Jefferson City.

Ms. Winton stayed the course and kept her doors open…even as enrollment declined and
revenue fell…

Even with her determination and passion for serving Missouri families… overcoming the
challenges she faced might not have been possible without the state programs and services our
Office of Childhood provides.

Would you please join me in recognizing Ms. Sharon Winton, the children of Discovery Place,
and all those who care for our children across the state?

Now…Ms. Winton faces the opposite issue…more and more families are seeking child care
options. AND while she would love to help, she simply does not have the resources, space, or
staff to accommodate.

To help address this issue, we are proposing three new child care tax credit programs.

These programs will help improve child care facilities, support employers who support their
workers with child care assistance, and allow more of our dedicated child care workers to earn a
pay increase.

We are also investing more than $78 million dollars to increase Child Care Subsidy rates to child
care providers across the state…

Together these actions will help more child care providers to start their business, stay in
business, or expand their business.

BUT we are not stopping there…

Missouri’s own Susan Blow established the first school kindergarten right here in the State of
Missouri, and we want to expand on those efforts started so long ago.

This year, we are here to announce our plan to invest $56 million dollars to begin expanding PreKindergarten options to ALL low-income Missouri children.

Under this program, 50 percent of all our families with pre-k students will be able to enroll their
children in expanded programs through their local school district or charter school at no cost.
There is a clear need to do better when it comes to early childhood. Let’s meet this moment
for Missouri kids, families, and businesses!

Now, for our non-college students or Missourians seeking a new career path…

We are investing $3 million dollars in Apprenticeship Missouri to expand apprenticeship
opportunities with a focus on IT, public health, education, and public safety, among others.

These programs are a great way for Missourians to learn a new skill and earn a good-paying
job…right out of high school.

Thanks to this program, we are happy to report that we were able to achieve our goal of creating
20,000 new apprenticeships THREE years ahead of schedule.

AND thanks to this program we are NOW 3rd in the United States for apprenticeships
Opportunities.

This year, we are seeking $2.2 million dollars for our 27 job centers across the state. With more
than 195,000 job openings in Missouri…we must make sure Missourians who need a job get a
Job.

Additionally, to further support career opportunities for our young people, we are requesting
$500,000 dollars for our Jobs for America’s Graduates to help more high school students further
their education or go directly into the workforce.

For college bound Missourians, we are increasing core funding to our Community Colleges and
4-year institutions, by seven percent… the largest increase in more than 25 years.

Additionally, we are investing another $275 million dollars for capital improvement projects on
our college campuses…

We are also proposing an additional $800,000 dollars for our Fast Track program to ensure that
any qualified person seeking a scholarship is able to receive it.

For our high school seniors wanting to further their education, we are also again fully funding
A+ scholarships.

AND to help promote workforce development on college campuses, we are recommending $38
million dollars for our MoExcels program to expand employer-driven education and training
Programs.

Together, these investments will help our colleges and universities keep up with the educational
demands of both today and tomorrow.

We all know manufacturing is a leading industry in our state. In fact, we rank 4th in the United
State for new manufacturing facilities.

But a serious hurdle for our manufacturing companies here in Missouri and across the nation is
the semiconductor chip supply chain.

To address this issue…for the first time…we are dedicating $25 million dollars for research,
program development, and training to increase our competitiveness for semiconductor
manufacturing right here in Missouri.

The last thing we want is to rely on China when we CAN and WILL do it right here in Missouri.

These investments in infrastructure, workforce, and education cannot be achieved without a
functioning and efficient state government…

AND the dedicated leaders in my Cabinet. Would members of my cabinet please stand to be
recognized for all you do on behalf of the people of Missouri?

While businesses build their bench…we need to build the bench in state government.

As many of you know, the recruitment and retention of state employees has been a severe
problem for our state. AND while we have made considerable advancements like wage
increases, deferred compensation, and professional development opportunities…

MORE is needed.

Supporting our state workers means supporting the people of Missouri…AND we are not done
yet.

This year, as part of our supplemental budget, we are requesting an immediate 8.7 percent cost
of living increase for our state employees.

For anyone who can’t already see the dire need for this action, we want to be clear, this is not
state government setting the market…this is merely an attempt by state government to stay
competitive with the market.

If we allow state government to fall behind, we allow Missourians to fall behind.

With more than 7,000 positions open across state government, this wage increase is
necessary… and it is the MINIMUM we must do…

On behalf of all state employees, I ask for your full support to pass this increase and deliver it
to my desk by March 1.

We also want to improve the services we provide through our agencies like the Children’s
Division. This Division is critical to the health and safety of some of Missouri’s most vulnerable
children, yet it is critically understaffed and under-resourced.

By investing $22 million dollars we can help alleviate the strain, hire more employees, and
support struggling families and children.

We must do more and do better for our children, our families, and the future of our state.

We’ve come a long way… BUT for Missouri to stay on the move…so does state government.

In 2022, fresh out of the grips of COVID-19, we understood the need to do better in this state
when it comes to health and mental health care.

Last year, we made historic investments in health and mental health, including the new State One
Health Lab, which states across the nation are using as a model for their own plans.

Now…frankly, an area in which we are heartbroken to be failing is maternal mortality.
Currently, Missouri ranks 44th in the United States for our abnormally high maternal mortality
rate.

This is embarrassing and absolutely unacceptable.

We are determined to change this. AND we are requesting $4.3 million dollars to allow the
Department of Health and Senior Services to implement a new maternal mortality plan.

DHSS estimates that 75 percent of maternal deaths are preventable with at least one meaningful
change to treatment, whether directly to the patient or through the provider, community, or
health care system.

We refuse to accept this tragic Missouri statistic. We must do better. If we can’t get it right for
the mothers and children across our state, we might as well pack our bags and let somebody else
occupy our seats.

Let’s support our mothers, let’s support our children, let’s support the future of Missouri.

This year, we are also proposing an additional $3.5 million dollars to increase the number of
youth behavioral health liaisons across our state. This initiative will fund 27 liaisons to help our
youth in crisis and receive the treatment they need.

It is needed, it is wanted, and more importantly…It is helping keep our kids SAFE, IN school,
and OUT of the system.

Here with us today is Leah Crawford. Last year, she was observing a change in her daughter’s
behavior and mood. Her daughter, Jewel, was carrying so much hate and anger – things that no
child should have to suffer through.

Recognizing a need to do something, Leah took her daughter to Phallin Thornton, one of our
youth behavioral liaisons. It was because of Phallin that Leah felt her daughter was finally
opening up and making a change for the better.

After a visit with Phallin, she was smiling again… laughing again… being a child again.
This is the real difference this program is making for our kids across the state.

We are grateful to have Leah, Jewel, and Phallin with us here today. Would you please stand to
be recognized?

This year, to address the severe shortage of Certified Nursing Assistants all across our state, we
are proposing nearly $4 million dollars to boost C-N-A training and programs.

With this increase, we expect 4,000 additional students to gain C-N-A training and employment
at a long-term care facilities and other medical facilities, including our Missouri Veterans
Homes.

We owe it to Missourians to provide them with quality care, and C-N-As are critical to that
mission.

AND we also want to thank all of our doctors, nurses, and health care professionals across our
state who care for our citizens.

We must also always look to improve when it comes to public safety in our state.

Unfortunately, our home, schools, and communities are not immune to violence. BUT it’s our
jobs… the individuals in this building to do what we can to promote a safer Missouri.

This past year, we saw violence and shootings plague schools and communities across the nation,
and sadly our state was no exception.

The events that unfolded at Central Visual & Performing Arts High School just a few months
ago were nothing short of tragedy.

As friends and family mourn, a community grieves, and a school tries to continue on without a
valued and beloved teacher and student…we must recommit ourselves to ensuring our schools
are safe.

While we will never understand or control the violence of these deranged individuals, we can
look to the school safety officers and law enforcement who got it right that day.

They were prepared…they had a plan…they saved lives and prevented a tragic situation from
becoming even worse.

We want to ensure that preparedness and response can be repeated across our state if the
unthinkable ever occurs again.

That’s why this year we are proposing $50 million dollars for school safety grants to further
protect our children and our schools.

We know that public safety starts with supporting our men and women on the front lines who
answer the call… who wake up every day to protect and serve.

BUT we know that law enforcement recruitment has suffered in recent years…AND it is critical
that we take action to build the bench in law enforcement.

Last year, we established the Missouri Blue Scholarship program to recruit officers across the
state.

Already this program has received high interest and success, with 147 Missourians already
earning a scholarship.

Joining us today are Rachel Kelley and Samuel Altom.

Rachel always dreamed of becoming a police officer, but like so many…life gets in the way.

Now, she can afford the opportunity to pursue her dream and serve her community thanks to our
scholarship program.

Samuel has witnessed firsthand that there can sometimes be disconnect and distrust by younger
generations towards law enforcement…he wants to help fix that and hopes to one day help
recruit and train future police officers.

This scholarship program and the support it provides to people like Rachel and Samuel are
perfect examples of how we can help build the bench in law enforcement.
Would you please join me in welcoming Rachel and Samuel?

For anyone willing to step up to protect and serve their communities, we must do everything we
can to support them.

AND as I’ve said…In this state, we support and defend our law enforcement officers, we don’t
defund them…AND OUR ADMINISTRATION NEVER WILL.

Infrastructure, education, workforce development, health care, mental health, public safety…it’s
not one or the other…it’s everything working together that allows a better future for our children
and our families.

We have always invested in these priorities… and we always will.

For us, it’s all about the WHY.

The WHY we aren’t done yet…the WHY we CAN’T be don’t yet…it’s because of our children.

AND joining us on the floor today is the WHY…

Would you please welcome students from Missouri’s Blue Ribbon Schools who want to share
their American Dream with you…

From Kirkwood…
• Ben Herwick and Julia McDonald want to study business.

From Nixa…
• Meghana Nakkanti wants to study Public Health
• AND Gideon Carter wants to study computer science.

From Eugene Field…
• Carson DeFazio wants to be a soccer coach
• AND Rosalind Martin wants to be a baker.

From Epic…
• Henley Ricklefs wants to be a Veterinarian
• AND Sawyer Burch who wants to join the NFL…AND we’re rooting for Sawyer as long
he’s with the Kansas City Chiefs.

From Dewey…
• Mahlia Wahid wants to study business
• AND Decker Rardon wants to be an engineer.

From Chapel Lakes…
• Cooper Minks wants to be a sports agent
• AND Skylaur James wants to be an Olympic runner.

From Blair Oaks…
• Emmerson Hilty wants to be a teacher and principal
• AND Preston Snitker wants to play professional sports.

AND behind them, we also have children from Discovery Place Daycare who are here to SHOW
you their American Dream.

Let’s give these kids a round of applause.

Teresa and I are living our American Dream. Our dream is one of faith, family, and patriotic
service. A dream that allowed a rowdy farm boy from small-town Wheatland and a bright and
beautiful woman from Bolivar to meet and one day become the Governor and First Lady of
Missouri.

For the kids in this room…It’s their future, their dreams, THEIR AMERICAN DREAM that we
MUST support and fight for…It’s our privilege and our responsibility.

Kids all across our state have hopes, dreams, and ambitions…AND their American Dream can
be bolstered and broadened by the decisions we make right here in this building.

Looking at these kids standing here today…I am confident there is nothing we cannot overcome
FOR THEM.

These children are the WHY…If we’re not willing to sacrifice for these kids, support their
dreams, or stand up for their future, then we must ask ourselves why are we here?

The First Lady and I have always believed in and supported the American Dream…and as we
enter the final two years of our time as Governor and First Lady the importance of that mission
becomes all the more clear.

Like us, the American Dream should be achievable for ALL…NEVER the exception for
SOME.

Our American Dream was possible because leaders before us looked at you and me…and
recognized we were worth fighting for.

Today, I ask the same of you…THESE Missouri children are the future. The future of our state,
our nation, and our democracy.

If we fail them…then the failures of tomorrow are the failures of today.
Let’s not fail them today, tomorrow, or ever.

This Governor…this Dad… and this Gramps… IS NOT DONE YET…

WE…ARE…NOT…DONE…YET…

It is an honor and privilege to serve as the 57th Governor of the state of Missouri.

God bless you, God bless the great State of Missouri, and God bless the United States of
America.