Current:Home > ScamsMissouri’s GOP Gov. Parson reflects on past wins in his final State of the State address-InfoLens
Missouri’s GOP Gov. Parson reflects on past wins in his final State of the State address
View Date:2024-12-23 15:12:10
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! (62)
Related
- Voters in Oakland oust Mayor Sheng Thao just 2 years into her term
- Women’s March Madness Sunday recap: No. 2 Stanford survives ISU in OT; No. 1 South Carolina rolls
- Chick-fil-A will soon allow some antibiotics in its chicken. Here's when and why.
- Influencers Sufi Malik and Anjali Chakra Break Up and Call Off Wedding After Mistake of Betrayal
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Something Corporate
- Jennifer Lopez is getting relentlessly mocked for her documentary. Why you can't look away.
- At least 40 killed and dozens injured in Moscow concert hall shooting; ISIS claims responsibility
- Bachelor Alum Juan Pablo Galavis' 14-Year-Old Daughter Auditions for American Idol
- NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Bobby Allison dies at 86
- Why Euphoria Season 3 Is Delayed Even Longer
Ranking
- California man allegedly shot couple and set their bodies, Teslas on fire in desert
- Upsets, Sweet 16 chalk and the ACC lead March Madness takeaways from men's NCAA Tournament
- Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Romance Is Heating Up With a Vacation in the Bahamas
- As Boeing turbulence persists: A look at past crashes and safety issues involving the plane maker
- Full House Star Dave Coulier Shares Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Diagnosis
- 'A race against time:' video shows New Jersey firefighters freeing dog from tire rim
- Candiace Dillard Bassett announces 'RHOP' exit after 6 seasons: 'This is not a farewell'
- Full transcript of Face the Nation, March 24, 2024
Recommendation
-
Gavin Rossdale Makes Rare Public Appearance With Girlfriend Xhoana Xheneti
-
Navy identifies U.S. sailor lost overboard in Red Sea
-
New government spending bill bans U.S. embassies from flying Pride flag
-
Ukraine had no involvement in Russia concert hall attack that killed at least 133, U.S. says
-
Repair Hair Damage In Just 90 Seconds With This Hack from WNBA Star Kamilla Cardoso
-
Boys, ages 12, 7, accused of stabbing 59-year-old woman in Harris County, Texas: Police
-
Democratic primary race for Cook County State’s Attorney remains too early to call
-
Arthur Blank maintains Falcons didn't tamper with Kirk Cousins: 'There was nothing intentional'