Mike Parson in 2021 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Budget & Economy:
Workforce development programs has attracted businesses
These announcements highlight Missouri's increasingly competitive business climate. Since 2018, Missouri has jumped from 21st to 11th in the nation among Site Selectors. This is thanks in large part to the success of our workforce development programs.
Through Missouri One Start nearly 100,000 Missourians have received training through partnerships with over 400 companies. Since launching the newly revamped program, businesses have invested approximately $2.5 billion dollars in Missouri.
In addition to workforce development, we also continued to move forward on critical infrastructure projects. In just over one year, over 100 of Missouri's poorest bridges have been
repaired or replaced through our "Focus on Bridges" program. When the program is complete, it will have accelerated the repair or replacement of 250 bridges across the state at a remarkable value for our citizens.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Michigan legislature
Jan 27, 2021
On Crime:
Require de-escalation and bias recognition police training
I challenged the POST Commission to take a leading role in advancing the training Missouri provides officers and help improve relationships with the public. The Commission followed through on this challenge, voting to require annual training in
de-escalation and bias recognition for all Missouri law enforcement officers. We believe this training will lead to better interactions between law enforcement and the communities we serve.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Michigan legislature
Jan 27, 2021
On Families & Children:
Consolidate several programs into new Office of Childhood
To help strengthen Missouri's early childhood system, we are excited to propose the consolidation of several different programs and divisions across three state agencies into one new office--the Office of Childhood.
This new office will not only help streamline the operation of several state programs, but also allow us to place a bigger focus on early childhood development--a critical component to the future success of Missourians for generations to come.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Michigan legislature
Jan 27, 2021
On Health Care:
Will expand Medicaid but be vigilant against fraud and waste
Like I have said many times, I will always uphold the will of the voters, and we will move forward with expanding Medicaid coverage to approximately 275,000 Missourians. However, it is important to remember that the costs of this expansion will be
significant--hundreds of millions of dollars, in fact. This will have a major impact on other areas of our budget, and we must plan accordingly which means staying vigilant in maintaining the program's integrity by protecting against fraud and waste.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Michigan legislature
Jan 27, 2021
On Jobs:
Expand programs to link high school graduates with jobs
I am calling for the expansion of Career Ready 101 to all 57 existing career centers around the state. This program also helps students prepare for the WorkKeys Assessment, a program recognized by hundreds of Missouri employers.
Our goal is to offer 12,000 new high school students the opportunity to receive the WorkKeys certification and by the end of my term, I want to see all 114 Missouri counties become certified work ready communities.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Michigan legislature
Jan 27, 2021
On Tax Reform:
For lower taxes, but online retailers hurt local business
I hope the House and Senate will consider legislation to address the unfair advantage online retailers have over small businesses in Missouri. I am a strong supporter of lower taxes--in fact, I have signed several tax cuts into law.
However, our small businesses, especially in smaller communities, are getting crushed because they cannot compete with huge online retailers. We must level that playing field.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Michigan legislature
Jan 27, 2021
On Technology:
$5 million investment to expand and improve broadband
We must capitalize on Missouri's strategic location in the center of the nation and build on the opportunity to become a powerful logistics hub not only for the Midwest and the United States, but for all of North America. We are very excited about the
new shipping technology that could create a corridor straight through Missouri into the heart of the country. This is why we are calling for a $6.3 million dollar investment in shovel-ready projects at Missouri's established ports.
When we talk about infrastructure, we often think about transportation but equally important is access to high-speed broadband. We have made great strides in the past few years. However, 2020 exposed many digital gaps, highlighting the importance of
ensuring high-speed internet in all areas of Missouri which is why this year, I am once again asking for a $5 million dollar investment to expand and improve broadband services across the state.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Michigan legislature
Jan 27, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 24, 2022