Current:Home > StocksMissouri’s GOP Gov. Parson reflects on past wins in his final State of the State address -WealthTrail Solutions
Missouri’s GOP Gov. Parson reflects on past wins in his final State of the State address
View
Date:2025-04-18 04:51:42
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s Republican Gov. Mike Parson looked back on past wins in his final State of the State address Wednesday, lauding his achievements after assuming leadership in the chaotic absence of his disgraced predecessor, Eric Greitens.
Parson, who at the time was serving as lieutenant governor, took over as the state’s top executive in 2018 after Greitens resigned rather than continue fighting possible impeachment and allegations of personal and political misconduct.
“We closed the chapter on scandal and began a new direction, because there was no turning back,” Parson said. “We declared a fresh start and the return of stability.”
As governor, Parson has worked to cultivate an image of a practical leader focused on tangible achievements for taxpayers as a contrast to Greitens’ tumultuous and aggressive governing style.
A highlight of Parson’s achievements is his work to repair and improve the state’s roads and bridges, culminating last year with a $2.8 billion investment to extend Interstate 70 to six lanes across the state.
On Wednesday, he also pointed to numerous income tax cuts under his administration and his appointment of five statewide officeholders.
Parson has not shied away from acting on more traditionally partisan issues. In 2019, he signed a law that eventually allowed Missouri to ban almost all abortions once the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Last year, he pushed lawmakers to pass legislation that banned gender-affirming health care for minors, with some exceptions.
For his final legislative session, Parson, who is barred by term limits from seeking reelection, made relatively modest budget and policy requests of lawmakers.
He wants lawmakers to make it a felony punishable by up to four years in prison, or longer for repeat offenses, to bring fentanyl near minors.
Parson also called for child care tax credits and another $52 million for child care subsidies. And he wants a $120 million increase in basic aid for schools, a 3% increase in primary funding for colleges and universities, and a 3.2% pay raise for state employees.
But dysfunction and infighting among Republicans has lawmakers worried that little will get done in the Legislature this year.
In the Senate, elected GOP leaders reached a breaking point this week with the Freedom Caucus, a defiant Republican faction. Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden removed several Freedom Caucus members from committee chairmanships and downgraded their parking spots, a move the targeted senators have said only escalated tensions in the chamber.
In the House, GOP Speaker Dean Plocher is fighting back allegations of misusing taxpayer funding.
Meanwhile, most lawmakers are either up for reelection this year or running for higher office. With a glut of GOP lawmakers and slim chances for Democrats to win any statewide office, the upcoming elections have pitted Republicans against each other.
Parson said he has humble hopes for how he will be remembered as governor, and he hinted at plans to retire from public service as he pined for the view of his southern Missouri farm from “behind the windshield of my John Deere tractor.”
“If we’re honored enough to be considered by Missourians as a ‘pretty good governor,’ ‘decent guy’ or ‘someone who never forgot where he came from,’ then it will all be worth it,” Parson said.
——
Associated Press writer David A. Lieb contributed to this report.
veryGood! (4)
Related
- Everything Simone Biles did at the Paris Olympics was amplified. She thrived in the spotlight
- Video provides first clear views of WWII aircraft carriers lost in the pivotal Battle of Midway
- Emerging election issues in New Jersey include lawsuits over outing trans students, offshore wind
- Deal Alert: Shop Stuart Weitzman Shoes From Just $85 at Saks Off Fifth
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Love Is Blind's Chris Fox Reveals Why He Gave Johnie Maraist a Second Chance
- Oxford High School shooter could face life prison sentence in December even as a minor
- Where are the best places to grab a coffee? Vote for your faves
- From bitter rivals to Olympic teammates, how Lebron and Steph Curry became friends
- What is 'Brotox'? Why men are going all in on Botox
Ranking
- Billy Bean was an LGBTQ advocate and one of baseball's great heroes
- 'Surreal': Michigan man wins $8.75 million in Lotto 47 state lottery game
- Simone Biles can make gymnastics history, again. A look back at her medals and titles.
- Kelsea Ballerini Shuts Down Lip-Synching Accusations After People's Choice Country Awards Performance
- Former Milwaukee hotel workers charged with murder after video shows them holding down Black man
- Kansas basketball dismisses transfer Arterio Morris after rape charge
- Borrowers are reassessing their budgets as student loan payments resume after pandemic pause
- Taylor Swift Effect boosts ticket sales for upcoming Chiefs-Jets game
Recommendation
'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
Man tied to suspected gunman in killing of Tupac Shakur is indicted on murder charge
U2 concert uses stunning visuals to open massive Sphere venue in Las Vegas
Why the Obama era 'car czar' thinks striking autoworkers risk overplaying their hand
Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
Desmond Howard criticizes 'thin-skinned' OSU coach Ryan Day for comments on Lou Holtz
Man accused of locking a woman in a cell in Oregon faces rape, kidnapping charges in earlier case
Horoscopes Today, September 29, 2023