JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Mike Parson ended the week by embarking on his first overseas trade mission, a weeklong trip to bolster the Show-Me State to potential new businesses.
“International trade and investment play a critical role in our state’s economy,” Parson said in a statement about the trip. “We must continue to build upon our foreign relationships and promote Missouri as an ideal location for business in order to sustain economic growth and success.”
Parson is slated to travel to France, Germany, and Switzerland from June 14-22 — his first trip to Europe as governor.
But before he took flight to meet with a bevy of overseas business leaders to discuss workforce development and infrastructure improvements, Parson signed several bills and proclamations.
In a rare move, he signed added his signature to Missouri’s roughly $30 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year without vetoing a single line-item. Parson also signed a bill eliminating tax incentives for businesses relocating to Missouri from certain counties in Kansas — a measure with bipartisan support from the governors of both states.
Under Parson’s direction, the Capitol dome was lit blue on Thursday night in honor of the St. Louis Blues first Stanley Cup win. He followed that up by declaring June 15, 2019, as St. Louis Blues Day.
In celebration of the @StLouisBlues first-ever Stanley Cup victory, Saturday, June 15, 2019, shall officially be known as St. Louis Blues Day throughout Missouri. This win is a great moment for Missouri and the millions of Blues fans rejoicing everywhere! #LetsGoBlues pic.twitter.com/gBqundU6QZ
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) June 14, 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.