Mike Parson in 2020 MO Governor's race
On Crime:
Time to stand up and support law enforcement
Q: Restrict police use of force and increase public oversight?Mike Parson: No. "Now is the time to `stand up and support' law enforcement." Officers need to have the "tools" to fight violent criminals.
Nicole Galloway: Yes. Supports ban on choke holds and no-knock warrants. "The disparities in our criminal justice system are real." Must make Missouri accountable to all citizens.
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
On Drugs:
Against marijuana legalization, OK with medical use
Q: Should state legalize marijuana?Mike Parson: No. Does not favor recreational legalization. OK with medical use. Criticism about clients of a close ally being favored in securing medical licenses.
Nicole Galloway: Yes. Supports legalization that includes expunging criminal records.
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
On Education:
Cut education budget after COVID revenue shortfalls
Q: Increase K-12 public funding? Stand on higher ed funding?Mike Parson: No. Made cuts in state K-12 budget and higher ed to meet COVID-related shortfalls. "We've had to face the reality of the situation and make some extremely difficult decisions."
Nicole Galloway: Yes. Eliminate big business giveaways. Put more money in classrooms, pay teachers what they deserve, expand pre-kindergarten. Students deserve to pursue higher education without accruing mountains of debt.
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
On Education:
Declared "Missouri School Choice Week"
Q: Use public funding for private and/or for-profit schools?Mike Parson: Yes. Declared week of Jan. 26 "Missouri School Choice Week" as a "nonpartisan" effort to shine a "positive spotlight on effective education options for students."
Nicole Galloway: No. Wants tighter oversight of charter schools. "Using tax $ to fund charter schools" weakens public schools. Will "strengthen the state's commitment to public schools."
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
On Government Reform:
Opposed subjecting lawmakers to open-records law
Q: Require more disclosure about the sources of campaign financing?Mike Parson: No. Opposed 2018's Constitutional Amendment One, which subjects lawmakers to open-records laws, limits lobbyist gifts, and limits partisan legislative redistricting.
Nicole Galloway: Yes. "As auditor, I've witnessed firsthand how our government works for insiders and special interests. That's why I'm making campaign finance reform a priority."
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
On Government Reform:
Voted for photo ID and proof of citizenship to vote
Q: Support stricter ID requirements and other rules on voting?Mike Parson: Yes. As state senator voted for constitutional amendment to require photo ID and prove citizenship. Signed bill allowing voting by mail only
if ballots are notarized, except if the voter is susceptible to COVID.
Nicole Galloway: No. "Missouri's notary requirement [to vote by mail] is voter suppression--especially during a pandemic. It makes voting absentee more difficult by design."
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
On Health Care:
Against Medicaid expansion as massive tax increase
Q: Supported 2020 ballot measure to expand Medicaid, an option available as part of ACA, known as Obamacare?Mike Parson: No. Called Medicaid expansion a "massive tax increase that Missourians cannot afford." "I don't think it's the time to
be expanding anything in the state of Missouri right now."
Nicole Galloway: Yes. Backed Medicaid expansion "to give over 200,000 Missourians the health care they deserve, return 100,000 eligible kids their insurance and keep our rural hospitals open."
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
On Jobs:
Backs right to work laws
Q: Support "right- to-work" laws, eliminating unions' ability to mandate dues for workers they represent?Mike Parson: Yes. As governor, backed "right-to-work" ballot measure. When it failed, had his staff explore feasibility of similar county-level
laws.
Nicole Galloway: No. By rejecting "right-to-work" legislation at the ballot box, Missouri has proved labor "is a force to be reckoned with." "I'll always have the back of" working people.
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
On Jobs:
Does not support raising minimum wage "at this time"
Q: Support raising state minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2023?Mike Parson: No. Did not support Proposition B and says he does not support raising minimum wage "at this time." [Prop B would raise the minimum wage to
$8.60/hour now, and phase in increases to $12/hour in 2023].
Nicole Galloway: Yes. Supported Proposition B, which will raise state minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2023. "Every worker deserves a living wage."
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
On Tax Reform:
Cut taxes in 2018 on top of significant 2014 tax cuts
Q: Support cuts in state taxes?Mike Parson:Yes. Cut income taxes in 2018 on top of significant 2014 tax cuts.
Nicole Galloway: No.
As auditor, said, "Years of tax cuts and giveaways" have put state in situation where "downturn will lead to big cuts in education, transportation and other services."
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
On Free Trade:
Missouri shouldn't rely on other countries & other states
On free trade: "Never again will I be dependent totally on foreign countries or companies outside of the state of Missouri," Parson said. "We've got too
many opportunities in this state, too many good people, and next time we're going to be prepared with our own state companies to take care of Missourians and not be dependent on other states and other countries to meet our needs."
Source: Bolivar Herald-Free Press on 2020 Missouri governor race
Apr 17, 2020
On Civil Rights:
Governor bans reporters from briefings, questions by email
Parson's ban on reporters from daily state capitol briefings represents an assault on Missourians' First Amendment rights, PEN America said. Said Nora Benavidez, director of U.S. free expression programs. "His mandate that press may only
submit questions in advance of briefings makes it impossible for journalists to question policies announced in the briefings and, alarmingly, allows Gov. Parson's staff to pick and choose which questions the he will answer at all."
Source: PEN America on 2020 Missouri gubernatorial race
Apr 14, 2020
On Civil Rights:
Overlooking minority, women businesses during health crisis
State Rep. Alan Green wants Parson to stop overlooking minority-owned businesses in the manufacture and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. "I have received communications that concerned me about the
lack of effort being made to pursue business opportunities with Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise companies during the state's massive COVID-19 response," Green wrote in a letter.
Source: St. Louis American on 2020 Missouri gubernatorial race
Apr 14, 2020
On Civil Rights:
OpEd:Exempting church from coronavirus rules could be deadly
Parson's decision to exempt houses of worship from his ban on gatherings of more than 10 people is unwise and dangerous -- and as a Baptist minister, I wish Parson would eliminate the religious exception in order to save lives.
While Parson encourages churches to avoid gatherings of 10 or more, he hasn't shut them down as other states have. Parson's religious exemption sends the wrong message and could prove deadly.
Source: Kansas City Star on 2020 Missouri gubernatorial race
Mar 25, 2020
On Civil Rights:
Moves primary due to virus, won't extend voter registration
Municipal elections in Missouri will be held June 2 instead of the regular election date of April 7, Parson ordered as part of the state's effort to control the spread of the coronavirus. The order directs local election authorities to maintain some
dates for the election process, so voter registration, which closed March 11, will not be re-opened. And the date for declaring write-in candidacies will remain March 27 and only people who will be 18 or older by April 7 will be allowed to vote.
Source: Columbia Daily Tribune on 2020 Missouri gubernatorial race
Feb 3, 2020
On Civil Rights:
Allowed Roman goddess statue to return to Capitol dome
A 1,400-pound bronze statue of Ceres, the ancient Roman goddess of agriculture and fertility, was returned to its perch atop the state Capitol building after a year of renovation. State Rep. Mike Moon decried the move as sacrilegious and tried to stop
it. Parson did not respond to the appeal and pronounced the statue "pretty," adding that a slight delay in replacing it would allow Missourians to see a piece of the state's history up close before it was hoisted aloft to the dome.
Source: Patheos.com on 2020 Missouri gubernatorial race
Feb 3, 2020
On Abortion:
Ban abortion after the eighth week of pregnancy
Missouri will not renew Planned Parenthood's license to perform abortions unless the clinic fully complies with the state's requests, said Parson during a press conference. The clinic is the last one performing abortions in the state.
The governor claimed, "Planned Parenthood has been actively and knowingly violating state law on numerous occasions." Parson said. "They should not receive any exceptions because they are one clinic."
But it makes no exceptions for cases involving rape or incest.[Democratic opponent Nicole] Galloway is making her opposition to the law a cornerstone of her campaign, calling it "outrageous" in an August video announcing her candidacy.
When she publicly mused about making a bid for Parson's seat earlier this year, she cited the abortion law as a factor pushing her toward running.
Source: Columbia Daily Tribune on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race
Sep 8, 2019
On Gun Control:
Doesn't have a problem with background checks
Parson said he was a strong proponent of the Second Amendment. "You have to be careful that you are not taking their rights away, but I think we need to look at all things," Parson said. "Whether that means more law enforcement on the ground,
whether that means the mental health side of it, whether that means social media today--yeah, I think (those who express the will to harm) should be flagged sometimes." He said he "doesn't have a problem" with more robust background checks.
Source: Kansas City Star on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial debate
Aug 15, 2019
On Abortion:
Enforces law which shuts down only abortion clinic in state
Missouri will not renew Planned Parenthood's license to perform abortions unless the clinic fully complies with the state's requests, said Parson during a press conference. The clinic is the last one performing abortions in the state.
The governor claimed, "Planned Parenthood has been actively and knowingly violating state law on numerous occasions." Parson said. "They should not receive any exceptions because they are one clinic."
Source: CBS News on 2020 Missouri gubernatorial race
May 29, 2019
On Abortion:
Signs bill criminalizing abortion after eight weeks
Parson signed a bill that criminalizes abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy. Any person who performs an abortion after eight weeks--often before many women are aware they are pregnant--could be charged with a felony punishable by five to
15 years in prison. The legislation does not have exceptions for victims of rape or incest. It does have a carve-out for cases of medical emergencies. Parson has said he would like to make Missouri "the most Pro-Life state in the country,"
Source: NPR.org on 2020 Missouri gubernatorial race
May 24, 2019
On Free Trade:
Credits Trump for ending Japan restrictions on US beef
White House press release on reactions from Missouri officials on trade & tariffs:- Gov. Mike Parson (R-MO): "Japan ended longstanding trade restrictions on US beef. This is more proof trade takes patience and a tough negotiator. HUGE step forward
for our cattle farmers and ranchers, because Missouri is a top 10 beef producer."
- Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO): "The U.S., Canada, & Mexico agreed to lift all Sec. 232 steel & aluminum tariffs, including retaliatory tariffs! This is a huge relief for
agriculture as our North American allies are some of our largest markets. I hope this propels momentum for my colleagues to pass USMCA."
- Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO): "Today's announcement by the Trump administration is a significant move
in the right direction. Lifting these tariffs will help ensure we have an economy that continues creating jobs and building things in our state--from bass boats and beer cans to airplanes and pickup trucks."
Source: White House press release on 2020 Missouri governor race
May 21, 2019
On Health Care:
Backed Rx monitoring; couldn't overcome opposition
Missouri retained its title as the only state without a statewide prescription drug monitoring program. The medical community had hoped Missouri would create a statewide electronic database designed to help spot the abuse of prescription drugs.
After all, Republican Gov. Mike Parson had pushed for it and its longtime opponent was no longer in office. But, because of ongoing fears about privacy violations tangled up with gun control, the bill never got a full Senate vote.
Source: Kaiser Health News on 2020 Missouri gubernatorial race
May 20, 2019
On Drugs:
Supports prescription database as tool to fight opioid abuse
Parson thinks the state is "long overdue" for a prescription-monitoring database for doctors. Missouri remains the only state without such a database, which proponents say helps cut down on opioids being sold on the street. "Not to be able to give
these men and women behind me the opportunity to try to fix this problem or to fight crime" is setting back the fight against opioids, Parson said. "We know this is a serious problem, and we've got to give them every opportunity we can," he said.
Source: St. Louis Public Radio on 2020 Missouri gubernatorial race
Dec 5, 2018
On Free Trade:
Supports USMCA trade agreement to replace NAFTA
The USMCA is a new trade pact among the US, Mexico and Canada, intended as a stronger and modernized replacement for NAFTA.Gov. Mike Parson (R-MO): "Despite skeptics saying NAFTA could never be fixed, President Trump has continued to deliver on
promises made to bring about bold and necessary reforms for our economy. The USMCA trade deal is a positive move for our farmers and for the first time provides support for 21st century innovations in agriculture and biotechnology."
Source: White House press release in 2020 Missouri Governor's race
Oct 2, 2018
Page last updated: Mar 14, 2021