JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Among meetings with industry and state leaders, Missouri’s chief executive meet with national leaders on improving childcare access.
On Thursday, Gov. Mike Parson traveled to Kansas City for a Guidance for Childcare Roundtable with presidential advisor Ivanka Trump, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar, HHS’s Administration for Children and Families Assistant Secretary Lynn Johnson, and U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt.
“Childcare and workforce development go hand in hand, and we appreciate the hard work of Ivanka Trump, Secretary Azar, Assistant Secretary Johnson, and Senator Roy Blunt to address this critical issue,” Parson said in a statement.
We had the opportunity to tour the @GCI1919 at @MCC_Penn_Valley and see firsthand the great work they’re doing to improve quality of life through early childhood education. pic.twitter.com/5EqOiGlXUh
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) October 10, 2019
At the Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Columbia, Parson urged members of the state’s tourism industry to continue their work to promote Missouri as a travel destination, an effort that helped pump more than $17 billion into the state’s economy last year.
“Tourism continues to grow in Missouri and for good reason,” Parson said. “We have a perfect mix of urban and rural attractions – scenic beauty, outdoor adventure, award-winning parks, first-rate museums, fantastic music, great food, and more – and the money visitors spend when they come to enjoy everything our state has to offer is essential to our economy.”
This week, he also announced a new scholarship opportunity for state employees through a partnership with Western Governors University (WGU) Missouri. The Show Me Your Triumph Scholarship, valued at $5,000 each, will be awarded to 10 state employees looking to further their education and advance their careers.
Parson awarded Missouri Public Safety Medals to a total of 18 first responders and six civilians for heroic and life-saving actions in 2018.
“The Missouri first responders we honored today performed heroically, decisively, and with great skill in life-threatening situations, risking their own safety to save lives and protect the public,” Parson said. “They are outstanding examples of the difference committed public safety professionals make in communities across Missouri.”
“The private citizens we honored performed extraordinarily courageous acts,” he continued. “They confronted violence, risked being shot to support law enforcement officers, entered a burning building to save a fire victim, and performed heroic, life-saving assistance during the Branson duck boat tragedy. It was truly an honor to stand with all of these heroes today.”
Thanks to Jana Holsman & Donna Seidel with @Healthiercole & @MizzouNursing student Jane McCurren for giving @FirstLadyTeresa & I our flu shots today.
We encourage everyone to do the same to protect yourself & those around you from the flu this year!
🔗https://t.co/2xEH16DfRh pic.twitter.com/W7b6mfQIUY
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) October 7, 2019
Today’s transportation system requires new, innovative solutions. It is critical for states to work together & share ideas that will help us all. Great to share Missouri’s transportation progress at the annual @aashtospeaks meeting. Thanks to our own @MoDOT for hosting this year! pic.twitter.com/NAyrrPeHF3
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) October 8, 2019
Finished the day with a tour of Patriot Machine, Inc. in St. Charles, a female-owned family business founded by Judy and Robert Burns in 1991.
The company is a Tier 1 supplier of highly complex aerospace products and has grown to now 170 employees. pic.twitter.com/suCsYLUSzf
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) October 8, 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.